July 5, 2017
The Honorable James D. Tierney
Acting United States Attorney
District of New Mexico
United States Justice Department
P.O. Box 607
Albuquerque, NM 87103
Re: Request for Meeting
Dear Sir,
The Albuquerque NAACP is officially requesting a joint meeting with you and those of your
choosing.
The purpose of this request is predicated on several concerns surrounding covert
operations conducted by the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and other law
enforcement agencies. Mr. Jeff Proctor, a journalist, authored several news articles related
to these operations. Several questions are being raised about the operational strategy,
selective enforcement in targeted neighborhoods and potential racial profiling. For
example, the operations produced 103 defendants and 28 were African American (27%).
Since the population of Blacks in Albuquerque and statewide average a little over 3%, the
arrest ratio seems alarming.
Also, it is our collective understanding that the basic objective of these operations was to
apprehend the “worst of the worst.” Therefore, another significant question arises, are
they reflected in the 28 African Americans arrested?
It is the position of the Albuquerque NAACP to work in concert with law enforcement
agencies to ensure that all communities are well served and protected in a fair and just
manner. This is an opportunity to establish positive lines of communications and establish
trust. If a meeting is scheduled, I will bring the following community representatives:
•
•
•

Dr. Charles Becknell, Sr., President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference
(SCLC)
Patrick Barrett, Sankofa Men’s Leadership Exchange
Eugene Pickett, Chairman, Criminal Justice Committee, Albuquerque NAACP

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Harold Bailey, Ph.D.
President
Albuquerque NAACP
P.O. Box 1922 Albuquerque, NM 87103 Phone: 505.265.0020

 908.0796

P. O. BOX 1922 Albuquerque, NM 87103 Phone: 505.265.0020