Santa Fe Hosted Police Chief Finalist Meet-and-Greet
Interim Chief Ben Valdez and Sheriff Adan Mendoza met with the public to discuss their visions for the department.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Santa Fe residents and city council members gathered at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center to engage with the two remaining candidates for the city's next police chief. The finalists, Interim Chief Ben Valdez and Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, participated in the public event as part of the formal hiring process.
Why it matters
Selecting a new police chief is a critical step for Santa Fe leadership to address public safety priorities and set the direction for local law enforcement. This public forum allowed community members to vet the candidates before a final selection is made by the City Manager.
The city is currently reviewing two finalists for the police chief position. The selection process remains ongoing as candidates move through interviews with municipal leadership.
The players
Ben Valdez
He currently serves as the Interim Chief of the Santa Fe police department.
Adan Mendoza
He is the current Santa Fe County Sheriff.
Brian Moya
He serves as the City Manager of Santa Fe and is responsible for the final hiring decision.
The details
The meet-and-greet event provided a platform for Interim Chief Ben Valdez and Sheriff Adan Mendoza to interact directly with the public and city council. Following this public event, both candidates are slated for additional interviews with the City Manager, deputy city manager, human resources director, and Mayor.
Timeline
The public meet-and-greet event was held on October 2, 2026.
Legal Context
The appointment process for the city's top law enforcement official follows established municipal guidelines for executive hiring. This event reflects standard procedures for ensuring transparency in local government leadership transitions.
The appointment of a new police chief will directly impact departmental priorities, community policing strategies, and city-wide public safety policies. Residents now await the final decision from City Manager Brian Moya regarding the future leadership of the department.
The takeaway
Community members interested in local governance should monitor city council updates for the official announcement of the new chief. Understanding the leadership priorities of each candidate can help residents anticipate future shifts in police operations.
Further reading
Learn more about local public safety initiatives on the Law Enforcement page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 96.3 KKOB.
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Should residents have a formal role in selecting their local police chief?
