Santa Fe Names Ben Valdez Police Chief

Interim City Manager Brian Moya made the appointment, which takes effect immediately, the Santa Fe Police Department announced.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People

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Santa Fe has appointed Ben Valdez as its police chief, the Santa Fe Police Department announced Monday. The appointment is effective immediately and was made by Interim City Manager Brian Moya.

Why it matters

The appointment makes permanent a leadership role Valdez had filled on an interim basis since June 4, giving Santa Fe residents a settled department head. Valdez's long tenure within the department provides continuity for ongoing public safety operations in the city.

Valdez joined the Santa Fe Police Department in 2005 and served eight years as deputy chief before his interim appointment on June 4. He brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience to the permanent role, though the source does not specify compensation or contract length.

The players

Ben Valdez

Ben Valdez is the newly appointed police chief of Santa Fe, who joined the department in 2005 and previously served eight years as deputy chief.

Brian Moya

Brian Moya is the interim city manager of Santa Fe who made the appointment of Valdez as police chief.

Santa Fe Police Department

The Santa Fe Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency that announced Valdez's appointment and oversees the city's traffic, speed enforcement, and patrol programs.

The details

Valdez has led an expansion of the SFPD Traffic Section, the automated speed and sound enforcement program, and the bicycle patrol and drone use ahead of officer arrival. The appointment was announced by the department on Monday and takes effect immediately.

June 4: Valdez began serving as interim police chief.
Monday: Valdez was appointed permanent police chief and the appointment was announced.

Market Landscape

The appointment converts an interim leadership arrangement that began June 4 into a permanent role, a pattern common when municipalities move from acting to confirmed department heads. The move keeps leadership continuity within the Santa Fe Police Department rather than introducing an outside candidate.

Residents of Santa Fe will see the department under permanent leadership, which may affect the traffic enforcement and speed monitoring programs Valdez has expanded. Drivers and pedestrians in the city may encounter continued or adjusted enforcement under the new chief.

The takeaway

Permanent leadership in the Santa Fe Police Department now rests with Valdez, whose record of expanding traffic and speed enforcement will shape near-term public safety priorities.