About John Allen

John Allen’s career in law enforcement is extensive and varied. John started as a frontline patrolman with the New Mexico State Police, then moved to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office where he held supervisory roles with the Homicide, Violent Crimes, Crisis Intervention Team, and Special Weapons and Tactics units. John has investigated all types of homicides, officer and deputy involved shootings, and problems at the Metropolitan Detention Center, and has worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Secret Service, and Homeland Security when crimes involved narcotics, gangs and other criminal networks.

In 2015, John was one of the founding members of the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT), which pairs a clinician with a deputy to assist in mental health calls. He also served as the Sergeant for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), where he was responsible for creating policies and procedures for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department.

In 2020, John retired as a Sergeant, serving 19 years with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department.

Today, John is a Lead Instructor at the CNM Law Enforcement Academy (CNMLEA), where he trains officers for APD and other departments around our state. He is one of the few “Master Use of Force” instructors and certifiers in the State of New Mexico, who focus on law enforcement’s understanding of use of force, constitutional rights, case law, and ethical decision-making. John is also a “Master Defensive Tactics” instructor who teaches the physical application of arrest, restraint, and control of suspects when being taken into custody.

John followed in his father’s footsteps and is a second-generation law enforcement professional. He was raised in Albuquerque’s Northwest Mesa where today, he continues to live with his wife Athenea. They have been married 23 years and they have one son.

John’s Experience

Sheriff, Bernalillo County, 2023-present

Lead Instructor, Central New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, 2020-2022

  • Trains APD cadets and various departments around the state

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant, 2013-2020

  • Supervised field services and deputies

  • Became Sergeant at CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) to update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for best practices and ensuring compliance

  • Supervisor, 2015

    • Metro Area Task Force Team (MATF)

    • Violent crimes homicide unit

    • Crisis Intervention Team Detectives (CIT)

    • Founding member of Mobile Crisis Team (MCT)

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Detective, Violent Crimes, 2004-2013

  • Investigated deaths and crimes, including at MDC

  • Worked with FBI, DEA, Secret Service, and Homeland Security—and the Mexican government when cases involved the drug cartels

  • Within BSCO, became a Master Use of Force Instructor and Master Defensive Tactics Instructor

  • Member, Bernalillo County SWAT team

New Mexico State Police Officer, 1997-2001