ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque Community Safety held a graduation ceremony on Tuesday and welcomed 13 new responders to the department. The new responders completed six weeks of academy instruction as well as 160 hours of on-the-job training. Balloon Fiesta releases official numbers for 2024 session The department provides a non-police response to issues related to behavioral health, homelessness, and substance use. ACS Director Jodie Esquibel applauded these graduates and told them to never lose sight of their duty. " I just want to say thank you for taking the mission on and keeping the path. I am honored by each of you and it is not easy. You guys didn't pick an easy road and I'm thankful that you did that. The community needs us in a way that we haven't seen before in the past so I'm honored to have you guys in the fight with me," said Esquibel. She added that this new class of graduates is an example of the growing department that is critical to public safety.