7th APD officer resigns, commander fired amid DWI Unit investigation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) –  The Albuquerque Police Department announced the resignation of Officer Neill Elsman and the termination of Commander Mark Landavazo related to the ongoing investigation into the department’s DWI Unit.

Elsman had been on military leave since October 2023 and was told he had to return to work at APD this week. Elsman resigned on July 30. APD said he will still be asked to appear for a voluntary interview with Internal Affairs. He had been with the department since April 2014.

Latest from APD DWI Scandal:

• 7th APD officer resigns, commander fired amid DWI Unit investigation

• Another APD officer placed on leave as part of DWI Unit investigation

• 6th officer resigns APD amid DWI Unit investigation

• KRQE News Special: The Albuquerque Police Department’s DWI Dismissal Scandal

• Bernalillo County DA discusses why more than 200 cases were dropped in APD DWI investigation

• District Attorney Discusses Dropped DWI Cases

• Misconduct reports confirm there are allegations against ex-APD officers in DWI cases investigation

• Advocate says attorney, APD officers ‘spit in the face’ of DWI victims

Mark Landavazo was fired from the department following a third investigation involving the DWI scandal. He had been disciplined for two violations of APD policies and following the third investigation, he was fired. Ten of his DWI cases connected to attorney Thomas Clear’s office were dismissed.

Landavazo had been on leave from APD since February.

Officials are investigating reports that officers with APD’s DWI Unit had been paid to get cases dismissed. Seven officers have resigned from the department. Those officers, including Elsman, are Honorio Alba, Harvey Johnson, Nelson Ortiz, Lt. Justin Hunt, Joshua Monta?o, and Daren DeAguero.

As of August 1, no officers have been officially charged.

The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office said so far, they’ve been forced to dismiss 211 cases connected to the officers implicated in the scheme.

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