By KRWG News
Las Cruces – The Las Cruces Police Department's new chief will be sworn-in on Monday, June 7, during the city council's regular meeting.
Richard Williams, an 18-year veteran with New Mexico State Police and currently the commander of that agency's Standard's Bureau, will begin his duties as Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department on June 7. Williams will be sworn-in as chief during the Las Cruces City Council meeting set to begin at 1 p.m.
Williams will inherit a police department with 180 commissioned officers and a civilian staff of 105. The Las Cruces Police Department also operates a New Mexico certified police academy, the Weed and Seed initiative, and the city's Codes Enforcement and Animal Control programs.
As commander for the New Mexico State Police department's Standard's Bureau, Williams supervised the Internal Affairs and Research and Development divisions. Williams, a major with NMSP, also was in charge of policy development and enhancement for state police. Prior to becoming commander, Williams was the captain of the state police district based in Las Cruces from 2003 to 2009.
Williams earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice from New Mexico State University.
Williams is replacing Pete Bradley who has been Interim-Chief of the department since December 2009. Bradley has served with the Las Cruces Police Department for 27 years and has signaled his intentions of retiring at the end of June.