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Albuquerque mayor seeks help to reform troubled police force

New Mexico city hit by angry protests after officers shot a man dead

The mayor of the south-western US city of Albuquerque has asked the federal Department of Justice (DoJ) to help the city overhaul its troubled police force on Wednesday.

In a letter, Richard Berry asked the DoJ “to expedite and complete” a review of Albuquerque police just days after officers launched tear gas at hundreds of demonstrators.

The angry 12-hour protest on Sunday was sparked by the fatal shooting of James Boyd by police in the Sandia Mountains. The incident had been videotaped.

Mr Berry called the shooting a “game-changer.”

Officials have admitted Mr Boyd appeared to be surrendering before officers opened fire.

The New Mexico American Civil Liberties Union (NMACL) welcomed Mr Berry’s call.

“Mayor Berry’s call for federal intervention is a good first step toward reducing excessive use of force and officer-involved shootings in our city,” NMACL executive director Peter Simonson said.

“It is a shame the city leadership took so long to respond.”

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