New Mexico
4 Investigates: UNM ends its body camera blind spot
The University of New Mexico Police Department will no longer be one of the few law enforcement agencies in the state without body-worn cameras.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico Police Department will no longer be one of the few law enforcement agencies in the state without body-worn cameras.
“This is something we should do at this time,” said Teresa Costantinidis, the executive vice president of finance and administration for the University of New Mexico. “In April, there was a report and the interview that you did with our police chief to talk about it, and that brought it back to the table.”
4 Investigates revealed an, “oversight,” in the 2020 law requiring body cameras from law enforcement agencies. The law’s definition left out university police departments, exempting them from the requirement.
UNM Police Chief Joe Silva said, “we didn’t see the need,” when 4 Investigates asked him why not implement body cameras in April.
Most other university police departments in New Mexico voluntarily adopted them.
“There was certainly no thinking that it would be good for university police to not hold themselves to the same standard that all other law enforcement do in the state,” State Sen. Joseph Cervantes told 4 Investigates in April.
Cervantes, who sponsored the 2020 legislation requiring body cameras for law enforcement officers, added he was, “very confident that if UNM doesn’t do this voluntarily in the next few months the legislature is going to compel it of them.”
It wasn’t outside pressure alone that led UNM administration to make a change.
Costantinidis said the pro-Palestinian protests on campus, and the decision to use police to clear encampments, “did play a role,” in the decision to implement body cameras. In April, UNM officials called in New Mexico State Police to assist UNM PD to clear an encampment in the Student Union Building.
“We don’t often get requests for body cam footage,” Costantinidis said. “In this case, we relied heavily on both surveillance footage and the body cam footage from the New Mexico State Police. But it gave us a moment to say, maybe it [police body cameras] would have been helpful.”
4 Investigates reviewed UNM officers’ audio belt recordings and UNM surveillance video, which does not have audio, the night the SUB was cleared. UNM officials tout the 3,000 surveillance cameras installed around campus as, “essential,” to meet its safety goals on-campus. The surveillance video shows protesters barricading doors, covering some cameras and using chalk on walls and floors. It also shows dozens of NMSP officers, in riot gear, pushing protesters out of the building and arresting people. It also shows what appears to be a UNM officer throwing a punch, and another throwing an elbow at protestor while making an arrest.
4 Investigates found one surveillance camera had missing footage from when police moved in on protestors. A UNM spokesperson said, “No video was deleted. That particular camera appears to have malfunctioned at that time.”
“The decision to do this says that we see body-worn cameras as a useful tool,” Costantindis said. “This is something we want to do in order to promote both safety and trust by the community.”
UNM has agreed to a five-year contract with Axon to outfit UNM PD with body cameras. It will cost $623,000 for the duration of the contract. UNM PD is also hiring another full-time officer to manage its body camera program.
Western New Mexico University will be the last university to not have its police department wear body cameras.
Tribal and federal law enforcement agencies are not required to wear body cameras.
4 Investigates has requested documentation related to UNM PD’s internal use of force investigation into its officers involved in SUB clearing. UNM has not yet released those documents.
New Mexico
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Seniors at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center say broken air conditioning has left the gym above 80 degrees during peak summer heat.
Angi Gonzales Carver said she goes to the center almost every day and now worries the heat could cancel classes for seniors, adults and kids.
The city said three HVAC roof units at the center need replacement. The city said those units are 20 years old and crews have put in one portable cooler and two fans for now.
“I have a temperature measure, and it was 88 and that was without people,” said Angi Gonzales Carver.
Carver says the center recently posted a warning sign saying staff will cancel classes and activities if the gym gets hotter than 78 degrees.
“A lot of them have to sit down and they’re they’re fanning themselves,” said Carver.
The city considers all multigenerational centers cooling centers, including Manzano Mesa. The city says it plans to add two more portable units next week while it works to restore the air conditioning.
“I mean, we, as seniors, we deserve better,” said Carver.
The City’s statement
A city spokesperson gave the following statement regarding the HVAC situation:
“The City is carrying out a planned replacement of the three HVAC roof units at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, which are 20 years old. Portable cooling units support the gym and two additional portable units will be installed next week. All other areas of the facility remain fully air-conditioned and operational.”
Acres: 7,769 acres
Start Date: June 9, 2026
Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM
Personnel: 169
Containment: 100%
Cause: Lightning
Summary: Containment lines are holding, and much of the repair work is completed on the Bear Fire. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team will transfer command of the fire back to the Gila National Forest and a Type 4 Incident Commander on Wednesday morning. Firefighters will continue to patrol and secure the perimeter while repair is completed.
Remarking on the success of firefighters on the Bear Fire, Incident Commander Marcus Cornwell said, “The support from the State of New Mexico Forestry Division, local landowners, and the Village of Quemado were instrumental in helping suppress the fire. Providing firefighters access to private land and use of Quemado High School proved pivotal.”
This will be the last daily update provided by the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team. Any future updates for the Bear Fire will come from the Gila National Forest.
Weather: Today’s high temperature will be in the mid 80s. Moisture moving in from the south will improve relative humidity and drop temperatures slightly. The forecast shows daily chances of thunderstorms through Friday.
Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place through this evening. If you fly, we can’t! The Gila National Forest enacted an Area Closure Order for the Bear Fire.
Evacuations: Catron County Emergency Management lifted SET status for residences within zones 2, 3 and 4 on Thursday, June 18th. For more information about the change in evacuation status, visit Catron County Emergency Management.
Smoke: Smoke may be visible in and around surrounding communities. Air quality will vary based on fire activity, weather, and wind patterns. Residents should reduce prolonged outdoor activity when smoke is present and check the Air Quality Index before recreating or working outdoors. Sensitive groups should take extra precautions to limit smoke exposure. For real-time smoke conditions, visit https://fire.airnow.gov.
Fire Restrictions: The Gila National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due to long term severe drought in the Gila region, increased tree mortality across the forest, and forecasted hotter, drier weather conditions. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions limit campfires on forest land to designated recreation sites and campgrounds with constructed metal fire rings. Open burning is also prohibited in the unincorporated area of Catron County and in Catron County Fire District 30.
Public Information: 2026.bear@firenet.gov
Incident Information:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/nmgnf-bear-fire
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