Albuquerque police accused of editing video footage

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque officials say the city's police department is investigating charges that some department members erased, altered or corrupted video taken by police lapel cameras. Reynaldo Chavez, a former records custodian for the Albuquerque Police Department, says in a nine-page affidavit that APD has trained certain police units and command staff to delete, blur or corrupt video since 2013. Chavez says the department wanted to appear to record all encounters with civilians while preventing any damaging recordings from becoming public. Police Chief Gordon Eden and City Attorney Jessica Hernandez told city councilors late Monday that they will speak with federal prosecutors and cooperate if needed. But they also say they're starting their own investigation. Eden says the original footage is retained even if someone tries to redact material.