New Mexico Police Brutality Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been a victim of police brutality or misconduct in New Mexico, Police Brutality Center may be able to connect you with an experienced civil rights lawyer to help you pursue justice.
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
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Content Last Updated: March 25, 2026
New Mexico has a historically high rate of excessive force by police, and dozens of people are killed by police in the state each year, particularly in communities of color. Victims of police brutality and their families have legal rights under federal and state law and may be able to take civil legal action against the police departments or officers involved to seek accountability and compensation. At Police Brutality Center, we connect victims and their families with police brutality lawyers for help seeking justice.
How a New Mexico Police Brutality Lawyer Can Help You
An experienced New Mexico police brutality attorney can provide knowledgeable legal representation. A well-qualified civil rights attorney will know how to navigate New Mexico’s legal landscape and have a deep understanding of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act of 2021, as well as other applicable state and federal laws governing police misconduct lawsuits. An attorney can investigate misconduct, gather evidence to build a strong case, file a lawsuit within the applicable time limits, negotiate for a settlement, and aggressively litigate your case in court if necessary.
Connect With Our Experienced Attorneys
Police Brutality Center is proud to partner with Alex Straus, Chair of the Civil Rights Department at Milberg PLLC, and Solomon Radner at Radner Law Group to help victims of civil rights abuses.
Filing a Civil Rights Claim in New Mexico
The first step to pursuing legal action for civil rights violations in New Mexico is engaging an experienced New Mexico police brutality lawyer to ensure you take the right steps and meet all necessary deadlines. You may decide to file an internal complaint with the police department involved before taking civil legal action.
In New Mexico, victims of police brutality and misconduct have the right to sue law enforcement departments and officers for excessive force, wrongful arrests or convictions, or any other form of brutality or misconduct. Through a successful civil rights lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.
Police Misconduct and Civil Rights Laws in New Mexico
In New Mexico, various acts can constitute police brutality or misconduct, including the following:
These acts are civil rights violations under both federal and state laws, including the New Mexico State Constitution.
The Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, cruel and unusual punishment, and violations of due process. Meanwhile, the federal Civil Rights Act provides further protections.
In New Mexico, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act of 2021, or NMCRA, allows residents to sue public entities or officials for violating their rights—without the defense of qualified immunity, which typically shields police officers from liability. There is a three-year statute of limitations for cases filed under the NMCRA.
History of Police Brutality in New Mexico
According to national police violence tracking databases, New Mexico consistently ranks among the highest states per capita for police shootings. In 2025, police killed 29 people in New Mexico, with Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Black individuals, and Hispanic individuals killed at the highest rates. Black people make up only 2.7% of the state’s population, but are nearly four times more likely to be killed by New Mexico police than white people.
Albuquerque's ‘Use of Force’ Culture: 2000s - 2010s
Albuquerque, New Mexico, was infamous for police violence through its “use of force culture” in the 2000s and early 2010s before the U.S. Department of Justice intervened in 2014.
One notable incident of excessive force in the city occurred in 2010 when 25-year-old Iraq War veteran Kenneth Ellis was shot and killed by Albuquerque police after reportedly pointing a gun at his own head in front of a 7-Eleven. Ellis’s family filed a lawsuit against the city for the incident, and the jury awarded them $10.3 million in damages.
The following year, 22-year-old Alan Gomez was shot in the chest in the entryway of his brother’s home by an Albuquerque police officer. The officer reportedly thought Gomez had a gun and planned to kill two hostages, but Gomez was unarmed. Gomez’s family later settled with the city for nearly $1 million.
DOJ Investigations into Albuquerque Police Department
In October 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice and the City of Albuquerque entered a court-enforceable settlement agreement to reform the Albuquerque Police Department, specifically its use of force against civilians. The settlement involved an overhaul of APD’s use-of-force practices, as a prior DOJ investigation found that APD officers routinely used deadly force and less lethal force in an unreasonable manner.
Reforms to be implemented during the settlement period included mandatory reporting of all use-of-force incidents, immediate medical care for victims of police force, and the establishment of a review board for force incidents. In May 2025, a federal judge dismissed the settlement agreement, ending DOJ oversight in Albuquerque.
Notable Police Brutality Cases in New Mexico
Recent police violence cases in New Mexico that made headlines include the
Robert Dotson – 2023
In April 2023, officers from the Farmington, New Mexico, Police Department responded to a DV call, but arrived at the wrong house. The officers then shot and killed 52-year-old Robert Dotson after he opened his door armed with a handgun.
James Boyd – 2014
Albuquerque police officers shot James Boyd, a homeless, mentally ill man, in March 2014. Boyd was camping on a mountain behind someone’s home, and when police responded, he reportedly became confused. After allegedly using numerous less lethal methods, an officer shot him. He was pronounced dead of massive trauma hours later. At least one protest was held in response to the shooting.
Mary Hawkes – 2014
In 2014, an Albuquerque police officer shot and killed 19-year-old Mary Hawkes, a suspect in an auto theft, during a foot chase. The killing was the Albuquerque Police Department’s third officer-involved shooting in five weeks.
Contact an Experienced New Mexico Police Brutality Lawyer
If you have experienced police brutality firsthand or have lost a loved one due to police misconduct in New Mexico, Police Brutality Center may be able to connect you with a civil rights lawyer to help you pursue justice. Our mission is to ensure justice for victims by connecting them with experienced law firms that handle police brutality cases in New Mexico and nationwide.