Posted at: 07/10/2009 7:19 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

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Candidates spar over Albuquerque's police chief

APD Chief Ray Schultz

Chief Ray Schultz does not resemble a football, but he has become a political one in the three-way race to see who will govern Albuquerque for the next four years.

Schultz, a 26-year veteran of the Albuquerque Police Department who became chief in 2005 after being appointed by Martin Chavez as he ran for his third term for mayor.

As that term runs out, one of Chavez’ opponents says if he wins, he’ll give Schultz the boot.

Candidate Richard Romero recently said, “Any mayor coming in really deserves to have his own team, and I'm gonna have my own team.” When asked if that was a “yes” to Schultz losing his job, Romero said “That's a yes.”

Romero is calling for an audit of police department management, arguing there are too many cops behind desks and not enough on the streets.

Chavez says that’s wrong, and defends his chief.

"Even those who disagree with me on issues agree that Ray Schultz has been one of the most successful and professional and outstanding chiefs of police in the history of this city - so I'm just simply baffled by it,” Chavez said. “As long as I'm in office - Ray Schultz - and as long as he's willing - Ray Schultz will be the chief of police." State lawmaker Richard “RJ” Berry, the third person in the race, was out of town on Friday, but called to say Romero is out of line.

"Any mayor worth their salt wants to take what their predecessors have done and build on that to make the city a better place - and to preclude key players before you've even been elected or even had a chance to talk to them - I think is an unwise policy," Berry said.

Berry says he respects the chief and would consider keeping him on the job if he’s elected.

Anybody who knows Schultz knows the irony here: He hates politics, but knows that with a job like police chief, he has to deal with it.