Portales police chief retiring at end of November

PORTALES - The Portales Police Department announced on Sunday it will begin searching for a new chief of police with Pat Gallegos retiring at the end of November.

The application period opened Monday with the PPD hoping to have the position filled by the time Gallegos leaves.

Portales City Manager Sammy Standefer said the position is open for both internal and external applicants. The first round of applications will be closed on Oct. 21.

"It just seemed like it was time to retire, after 22 1/2 years of law enforcement and four years in the military," Gallegos said. "I just got my first grandson three months ago so that's one of my major plans is to be with him a lot."

Gallegos was born in Portales and lived there throughout high school. After graduating from PHS he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. He was honorably discharged in 1998 and joined the Gallup Police Department.

After 10 years in Gallup he moved back to Portales and joined the PPD. In 2010 he was promoted to patrol sergeant, and in 2012 he was promoted to lieutenant of investigations. A year later Gallegos became chief.

"The highlight of my career is, I think, getting the department in the right direction. When I first took over the Portales Police Department was riddled with scandal and just all kinds of stuff if you look back at the history in the papers," Gallegos said.

In 2016 he had the PPD reaccredited through the state of New Mexico. Gallegos added that getting the officers updated equipment, a new building, and new cars were also highlights.

Of his successor, Gallegos said, "I just hope that the (next) chief of police will treat the citizens of Portales the way I was treating them, with respect but also making all the decisions based on their best interest."