First day on the job for new Las Cruces Police chief

Patrick Gallagher became the new head of the Las Cruces Police Department this week after former Police Chief Jaime Montoya retired in December of last year.

“Safety and security regardless of the size of the community has to be paramount,” Gallagher told ABC-7 on Tuesday.

Prior to this new job, Gallagher served as chief of the Santa Fe Police Department and chief of the Truth or Consequences Police Department. The Brooklyn native also worked in the New York City Police Department as World Trade Center Zone Commander.

“You really can’t compare departments, just as you can’t compare cities,” Gallagher said. “Each department has its own strengths and weaknesses, same thing with the city.”

Gallagher has nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience.

“Because I have experience in very small communities, very large communities and midsize communities, I just think it helps me make more of a well-rounded police officer in general and police chief, specifically,” Gallagher said.

The chief told ABC-7 he plans hit the ground running, tackling property crime and automobile theft.

“No major changes right away,” Gallagher said. “Yes, we will look at the property crime numbers and see what we can do to affect those in a positive direction.”