Vanessa Ordoñez, candidate for Doña Ana County Sheriff
Name: Vanessa Ordoñez
Age: 42
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Mother
Relevant Experience
I bring more than two decades of combined military and law-enforcement experience to the office of
Doña Ana County Sheriff.
Most recently, I served for more than seven years as Chief of Police in Anthony, New Mexico. As Chief, I was responsible for leading the department's daily operations, managing personnel and multi million-dollar budgets, developing and implementing policies and procedures, overseeing training and professional development, and working with community and regional partners to address public safety challenges.
As Police Chief, I gained firsthand experience making executive-level decisions, holding personnel accountable, and working collaboratively with other law enforcement agencies, elected officials, courts, and community organizations. I also focused on strengthening internal communication, improving accountability, and ensuring officers had the training and resources needed to serve the community professionally.
My military career has also prepared me to lead under pressure, make difficult decisions, and work with people from diverse backgrounds. I am a U.S. Navy combat veteran and continue to serve in the Navy Reserve. I hold a Master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration and have advanced training in areas including mental health crisis response, domestic violence, internal affairs, and police instruction. I also currently serve on criminal justice and victim advocacy boards, giving me a broader understanding of the challenges facing our county.
This combination of current local law enforcement experience, executive leadership, military service,
education, and community involvement has prepared me to lead the Sheriff's Office.
Personal
My name is Vanessa Ordoñez, and I am proud to be a first-generation American raised right here in Las
Cruces. My mother is from Chihuahua, Mexico, and she taught me the values of hard work,
perseverance, humility, and service. Spanish was my first language, and growing up in Doña Ana County gave me a deep understanding of the people and communities I am seeking to continue to serve.
After graduating from Oñate High School, I joined the United States Navy. My military career included combat service and leadership responsibilities, and I continue to serve as a Navy Reservist as a Master at Arms Petty Officer 1st Class, with an expeditionary warfare qualification.
I began my New Mexico law enforcement career in Doña Ana County, where I served as a sheriff's deputy and in several specialized roles. I later served for more than seven years as Chief of Police in Anthony, New Mexico and helped lead the department to be recognized as the Safest City in New Mexico (2025) and 4th Safest Border City in the nation. I have also worked with juvenile probation and have experience helping individuals and families in our communities.
I hold a Master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration and have continued my professional development through advanced leadership and law enforcement training. I am also a mother and wife to a retired NM law enforcement officer, and my family and career have both been rooted in service. I love hiking and the outdoors.
My life has been centered on serving others. I believe effective law enforcement leadership requires looking ahead, not just responding to the challenges of today. I am committed to staying current on emerging trends, new technologies, best practices, and innovative approaches to public safety. As Sheriff, I will bring a forward-thinking mindset to the Sheriff's Office, continually evaluating what works, identifying opportunities for improvement, and preparing our agency to meet the evolving needs of Doña Ana County.
Juvenile crime is still an issue in Doña Ana County. What will you do to address it?
Juvenile crime requires more than simply responding after a crime occurs. We need prevention,
accountability, and collaboration.
As Sheriff, I would strengthen partnerships between the Sheriff's Office, schools, families, courts,
behavioral health providers, youth organizations, and other community partners. We need to identify
young people who are at risk of entering the justice system and connect them with appropriate services, mentorship, education, and positive activities before problems escalate.
I would also support effective intervention when juveniles do commit crimes. Accountability matters, but so does giving young people an opportunity to change their direction. I also embrace the idea of getting creative with diversion programs.
My experience currently serving on the Doña Ana County Juvenile Justice Continuum Board has given me firsthand insight into the importance of coordinated services and identifying gaps in resources for young people. The goal is straightforward and that is, prevent crime when possible, early intervention, and work with families and community partners to help our youth have the best quality of life possible.
If you are elected, what are your priorities for New Mexico?
As Sheriff, my priorities would focus on ensuring the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office operates effectively, addresses juvenile crime through prevention and accountability, and strengthen the working
relationship between the Sheriff's Office and county leadership.
One of my priorities would be to ensure the Sheriff's Office has the right people in the right places. This
means evaluating staffing, organizational structure, and operational needs to ensure our deputies and
civilian personnel are positioned where they can be most effective. I would take the time to fully
understand the department's operations, identify areas for improvement, and listen to the employees
who carry out this work every day before making significant changes. If reorganization is necessary, I
would approach it strategically, with the goal of improving efficiency, accountability, and service to our
communities.
Another priority is to address juvenile crime through prevention, intervention, and accountability. We
need to examine how law enforcement can work with schools, juvenile probation, courts, families, and
community organizations to identify effective diversion programs and provide young people with
opportunities to change course before their involvement in the justice system becomes more serious.
Diversion should not mean ignoring criminal behavior; it means recognizing when intervention, services, and accountability can help prevent future offenses. The Sheriff's Office has an important role in identifying at-risk youth, connecting families with resources, and working with our partners to develop solutions that improve public safety.
I also find it extremely important to strengthen the working relationship between the Sheriff's Office,
county management, and the County Commission. A productive partnership requires open
communication, clearly defined responsibilities, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to serving
the public. The Sheriff must have the operational authority and support necessary to manage the office
effectively.
My approach would be to listen, evaluate, and lead with purpose. By strengthening our organization,
investing in solutions for juvenile crime, and building a constructive partnership with county leadership,
we can create a Sheriff's Office that serves our communities effectively and is prepared to meet the
challenges ahead.
What are your plans to ensure transparency and make sure you are accessible to constituents?
Transparency starts with being willing to listen and being accountable for the decisions made by the
Sheriff's Office.
As Sheriff, I would maintain an open-door approach to the community and create meaningful
opportunities for residents to communicate directly with the Sheriff's Office. I would support regular
community meetings, accessible communication channels, and timely responses to constituent
concerns.
Internally, I would establish clear expectations for supervisors and personnel, strengthen accountability
systems, and make sure policies and procedures are understood and consistently followed.
I would also like to establish a dedicated Public Information Officer within the Sheriff’s Office to
strengthen communication with the public and build a consistent, professional digital and social media
presence. Today, effective public safety requires not only good policing, but also clear, timely, and
accessible communication with the community we serve.
I also believe the public should have access to meaningful information about the Sheriff's Office. I would support accessible reporting on agency performance, crime trends, community concerns, and progress toward departmental goals.
Accessibility also means being present throughout Doña Ana County, not just in the larger communities. Rural residents deserve the same opportunity to communicate with their Sheriff and have their concerns heard. Town halls and presence in the rural communities would be my strategies.
My commitment is simple: listen, communicate, follow through, and be accountable to the people we
serve.
