Rice appointed as Clovis' interim police chief

CLOVIS — Deputy Police Chief Roy Rice will be elevated to the chief position on an interim basis beginning Jan. 1, according to a city of Clovis news release.

Rice, who has been deputy chief since February, will replace Doug Ford, who plans to retire at the end of the year following five years at the top post.

Ford was honored by the Clovis city commission during its Thursday night meeting, as Ford came to the meeting to update the commission on its third time receiving renewed accreditation from the New Mexico Municipal League and New Mexico Police Chiefs Association.

City Manager Justin Howalt said he wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass to celebrate Ford, a Clovis native who joined the CPD in 1997.

Mayor Mike Morris, who lives a few houses down from Ford, said even before he became mayor he always felt safer knowing Ford chose to return to Clovis to serve its citizens.

“We are better off because of it,” Morris said. “It can’t be said strongly enough or heartfelt enough that we thank you.”

Howalt said there is no set timeline for naming a permanent replacement for Ford. When Ford was hired as chief in 2016, prior to Howalt becoming city manager, he had spent nine months as interim chief following Steve Sanders’ retirement.

“The police chief position is open and a thorough selection process has begun,” Howalt said in a city release. “In the interim, I am confident that Deputy Chief Rice will do an outstanding job in leading the department.”

Rice, who joined the department in August of 2019, served previously as the police chief for Muleshoe.

Rice told The News on Thursday he hasn’t made a final decision on applying for the position, but that he is leaning toward doing so.

The job posting on the city website seeks applicants with at least seven years of law enforcement experience, with five or more of those years in administrative or leadership positions. The pay range is $89,861-$131,791.

Regarding the accreditation, Ford said the department was first accredited in 2012 and has gone through a recertifcation process every three years that covers about 256 standards and 600 proofs.

“This is quite the daunting task … proving we’re doing what we’re supposed to,” said Ford, who credited his leadership and slate of officers for the work.