New broke on Thursday evening that the head of the union that represents the Albuquerque Police Department was arrested on charges of child abuse.
Booking photo of Stephanie Lopez
Media began reporting Thursday evening around 8:30 p.m. that Stephanie Lopez was charged with child abuse. She is the president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association.
Lopez was arrested by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.
Shortly before 9:00 p.m., a spokesman for the APD confirmed the arrest but did not offer much more information.
“We are aware that APD Union President Stephanie Lopez was arrested tonight by BCSO for Child Abuse. Upon leaning of the allegations yesterday, APD immediately called in an outside agency to investigate,” Tixier said. “At this time, no one from the department has read the Criminal Complaint or been briefed on the specifics of this case.”
“Any further statements would not be appropriate until we have had the opportunity to thoroughly review the charges.”
The union released a statement on Friday morning.
“Allegations of child abuse are obviously a very serious matter, and of course we understand the importance of thoroughly investigating any claims made by a child,” ” APOA Vice President Shaun Willoughby said.” With that being said I have only known Stephanie Lopez to be a loving single working mom who was doing her best to raise bright, caring and well-behaved children. We trust in the judicial process to resolve this matter for her and her family.”
Willoughby is now serving as acting president of APOA.
Lopez has been in headlines before, for multiple suspensions for behavior in previous years.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Lopez is being held on a $5,000 cash-only bond.
