Santa Fe Police Chief Search 2022

Welcome to Santa Fe's 2022 Police Search Portal  

This site will provide you with the latest updates on the search for Santa Fe’s next police chief and how you can make your voice heard! Thank you for participating in this search and please let us know if you have any questions!

Paul Joye Appointed SFPD Chief

Joye Selected Following Inclusive and Robust Public Process

City Manager John Blair and Community Health and Safety Director Kyra Ochoa announce the appointment of Paul Joye as the next Chief of the Santa Fe Police Department. Chief Joye joined the force in 2006 and has worked up through the ranks to become Deputy Chief of Operations and now Chief of Police.

Chief Joye began his career in public safety as a high school student in Carlsbad, New Mexico, when he qualified as a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT-Basic. He graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in 2002, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Minor in Psychology.

During his tenure in the SFPD he has worked as a Field Training Officer, Detective (Property Crimes, Street Crimes, Violent Crimes), Sergeant (Patrol, Violent Crimes, Crimes Against Children), Lieutenant (Criminal Investigations, Patrol, Internal Affairs, Criminal Investigations), Captain (Criminal Investigations), and Deputy Chief (Operations). Chief Joye has served as interim Chief since December 3, 2021.

Click to read the full release

Two Santa Fe Police Chief Finalists Announced

Click to read the full release 

Police Chief Search Community Survey

Every Santa Fean was encouraged to complete the community survey and let us now what they were looking for in our next police chief! The deadline to submit completed surveys was Friday, February 25, 2022 at 5:00 pm. The survey was available in English and Spanish. We had 366 responses! 

Police Chief Search Community Dialogue Summary of Panelist Feedback

All of the qualified police chief candidates participated in two dialogue sessions with a number of Santa Fe leaders representing local law enforcement, the business community, public health and safety, non-profit and advocacy organizations, and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board and Veteran’s Advisory Board.

Question and Answer Session with two Finalist March 10, 2022 - YouTube 

Below is the list of ten applicants who met the minimum qualifications established for the position, including their most recent department and position held.

• Scott Ebner, Lieutenant Colonel, New Jersey State Police
• Mizel Garcia, Ret. Police Commander/Deputy Chief II, Albuquerque Police Department
• Thomas Grundler, Lieutenant of Support Operations, Santa Fe Police Department
• Paul Joye, Deputy Chief of Police Operations, Santa Fe Police Department
• Marshall Katz, Ret. Chief of Police-Aviation, City of Albuquerque
• David Moore, Director of Inspector General, County of Monroe (NY); withdrew from consideration
• Donald Pezzuto, Court Security Deputy, Will County Sheriff's Office (IL); withdrew from consideration
• Andrew Rodriguez, Deputy Chief of Police, Rio Rancho Police Department
• Frank Rodriguez, Deputy Commissioner, North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations
• Benjamin Valdez, Deputy Chief of Police Administration, Santa Fe Police Department

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please call 505-955-6949. Thank you for helping us pick Santa Fe’s next police chief!