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AP NewsBreak: Albuquerque Police Reforms Ordered

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The U.S. Justice Department and New Mexico's largest city have reached a deal to overhaul Albuquerque's police department amid several accusations of excessive force, agreeing to reforms that include new training and protocols for investigating officer shootings.

The deal announced Friday also orders the force to be independently monitored and calls for the changes to be in place within four years.

City and federal officials have discussed overhaul plans after a DOJ report in April said officers showed a pattern of excessive force.

The police department serving a city of about 560,000 people also has faced scrutiny for 41 police shootings - 27 of them fatal - since 2010.

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry is scheduled to discuss the agreement at a news conference this afternoon.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

10/31/2014 2:35:30 PM (GMT -4:00)