How do I request body camera footage?

Submit a public records request via the City of Albuquerque Open Records portal or the APD records request form with incident details and contact information.

How long does it take to get footage?

Response timelines vary and are governed by City procedures and state law; specific response times are not specified on the cited City pages.

Will faces or bystanders be redacted?

Footage may be redacted to protect privacy or law-enforcement interests; the extent of redaction depends on the content and applicable exemptions.

Request Police Body Camera Records in Albuquerque

Public Safety New Mexico 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, requests for police body-worn camera footage are handled as public records requests under the City of Albuquerque open-records process and applicable state law. This guide explains where to submit a request, what information to include, typical timelines and redaction issues, and the departments that process and enforce requests.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Albuquerque follows the municipal open-records procedures and applicable New Mexico statutes when handling requests for police body-camera footage. Specific civil fines or per-day penalties for improper withholding of records are not specified on the cited City pages; see the official sources below for governing procedures and legal remedies. City of Albuquerque Open Records^[1]

If the city improperly withholds records, requesters may seek judicial review under state law.

Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
Enforcer: Albuquerque Police Department Records Unit and the City Clerk's Open Records office.
Non-monetary remedies: court orders to produce records, injunctive relief, and judicial review (details not specified on the cited page).
Inspection and complaint pathway: submit an open records request or contact the APD Records Unit; see APD filing instructions below.

Applications & Forms

To request footage, submit a public records request through the City of Albuquerque's open records process or APD's records request portal. The City provides an online request form and guidance; fees for duplication or processing are not specified on the cited City pages and may be assessed according to the City's published fee schedule. For police incident-specific requests, use the Albuquerque Police Department request page to provide incident details and contact information. APD records request^[2]

Provide incident date, time, location, officer names or badge numbers, and any report number to speed processing.

Form name: City of Albuquerque Open Records request form (online portal).
Fees: not specified on the cited page; fees may apply for copy or redaction services.
Deadlines: response timelines are governed by state law and City procedures; exact response time is not specified on the cited City pages.
Submission: online portal, email, or in-person per the City/APD instructions on their request pages.

How Requests Are Processed

When the City or APD receives a request for body-worn camera footage, staff will search for responsive recordings, review footage for protected information (e.g., juvenile identities, medical or private information), and apply necessary redactions before release. If footage includes ongoing investigations or privileged law-enforcement material, portions may be withheld or partially redacted under applicable exemptions. Requesters who believe records were wrongly withheld can pursue administrative review or judicial remedies under state open-records law.

Redactions can delay delivery and may require staff review of every responsive file.

FAQ

How do I request body camera footage?: Submit a public records request via the City of Albuquerque Open Records portal or the APD records request form with incident details and contact information.
How long does it take to get footage?: Response timelines vary and are governed by City procedures and state law; specific response times are not specified on the cited City pages.
Will faces or bystanders be redacted?: Footage may be redacted to protect privacy or law-enforcement interests; the extent of redaction depends on the content and applicable exemptions.

How-To

Identify the incident details: date, time, location, officer name or badge number, and any police report number.
Complete the City of Albuquerque Open Records request form or the APD records request form and attach any identity verification if required.
Submit the request online or contact the APD Records Unit for assistance; keep records of your submission and confirmation.
If the request is denied or partially denied, follow the City appeal instructions and consider judicial review under state open-records law.

Keep a clear written record of what you requested and when you submitted it.

Key Takeaways

Requests for APD body-camera footage are handled through the City open-records process and the APD records unit.
Provide detailed incident identifiers to speed retrieval and reduce back-and-forth.