A protest outside of a hotel where Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden spoke got heated while Eden told business leaders he was committed to reforming his embattled department.
Demonstrators say a Hotel Albuquerque staff member shoved one protester Wednesday and slapped down the cell phone from another during a picket.
Around two dozen demonstrators picketed to demand Eden resign and to call for immediate reforms within the Albuquerque police amid a pending U.S. Justice Department agreement over use of force.
A Hotel Albuquerque spokesman did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, Eden told the Economic Forum of Albuquerque that he took the chief job four months ago because he believed he could revamp the department.
Eden says he told his command staff if they weren't committed to reform they should retire.
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