LCPD chief Dominguez announces retirement

Las Cruces Police Chief Miguel Dominguez has announced he will retire effective June 30, 2023.

Dominguez has been police chief since 2020 and is “a 21-year veteran of law enforcement,” the City of Las Cruces said in a news release.

“I am grateful for the dedication chief has demonstrated and all the contributions he’s made to the City of Las Cruces, not only as the chief but in the 20 years he has been part of the Las Cruces Police Department,” said City Manager Ifo Pili. “His commitment and leadership will be greatly missed. “We wish Miguel the very best in his retirement.”

 Dominguez is credited with helping guide LCPD through the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of a plan that led to a marked increase in the number of sworn personnel, the news release said. In July 2022, LCPD had about 160 commissioned law enforcement officers. As of June 2023, LCPD’s commissioned workforce stands at 201 officers. Dominguez also pushed for an increase in staffing levels, the city said. Since about 2010, when the city’s population was close to 98,000, LCPD has had an authorized workforce of 202 sworn personnel. That number will increase to 220 on July 1, 2023.

Dominguez was also instrumental in implementing LCPD Cares, a department-wide philosophy that illustrates how personnel embrace and interact with the community they serve.

 “I would like to thank Las Cruces city councilors, administrators and employees from other departments who have always been supportive of LCPD and have helped make my job easier,” Dominguez said. “Above all, I would like to thank our Las Cruces police officers, sergeants, lieutenants, administrative staff and our civilian employees who give 100 percent every day to help keep our community safe. I am proud of the men and women who put their lives on the line every single day,” he said.

Dominguez was named police chief in November 2020 following the retirement of former chief Patrick Gallagher. Prior to becoming chief, Dominguez served as deputy chief of field operations 2016-18. In September 2018, he was named deputy chief of investigations and administrative support services.

 Born in Silver City, Dominguez and his family relocated to Las Cruces in 1985 during his senior year of high school. He graduated from Las Cruces High School and began his law enforcement career in 2002 as a corrections officer at the Doña Ana County Detention Center. In 2003, he graduated from LCPD’s 34th Police Academy.

Dominguez began his career with LCPD as a patrol officer, and also served as a field training officer, patrol sergeant, lieutenant in patrol and special services and commander of the West Area Command.

The city anticipates naming an interim chief in the coming weeks while it conducts a nationwide search for its next chief of police.