Valencia County Sheriff
Republican
Denise Vigil (I)
Denise Vigil (I)
Age: 51
Occupation: Sheriff of Valencia County
Education: High school graduate, with some college
Previous elected political offices: Elected Valencia County sheriff in 2018.
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a DWI or a felony in New Mexico or in another state? “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“I have more than 20 years of law enforcement experience. I have attended more than 1,000 hours of law enforcement training and refresher courses. I graduated from Northwestern University’s Executive Management Program as well as many other accredited training courses. The education never stops when you are in these positions — it’s constant.”
- How would you improve how deputies interact with people with mental health issues, absent additional funding?
“We have begun developing a Crisis Intervention Team for each shift. We have set aside funding for this team to utilize a psychologist to assist when deputies are dealing with persons with mental health issues. We will have 24/7 mental health staff under a contract to assist with critical incidents.”
- How would you better utilize the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office reserve deputies?
“It’s a volunteer position, under state statute which limits the activities they can be involved in without certified deputies being present. We use them to assist with missing persons, patrol, investigations and special events. We currently rely on them for our special events for outreach within community members.”
Democrat
Rodney Jones
Rodney Jones
Age: 57
Occupation: Retired law enforcement, Tribal Council secretary, small business owner — gunsmith
Education: Bachelor of Arts business management, Associate of Arts criminal justice and Associate of Arts gunsmithing
Previous elected political offices: Former chief tribal judge, current tribal council secretary.
Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a DWI or a felony in New Mexico or in another state? “No.”
- What in your experience, education, etc., makes you qualified for this position?
“Twenty-two years law enforcement experience: Valencia County Sheriff’s Office and Los Lunas Police Department sergeant, VC and LLPD detective, VC deputy, LLPD police officer, SWAT team sniper. Bachelor of Arts in business management, Associate of Arts criminal justice and Gunsmithing. Former chief tribal judge, current tribal council secretary.”
- How would you improve how deputies interact with people with mental health issues, absent additional funding?
“I would redirect the budget to support crisis intervention training (CIT) and de-escalation training. I would mandate a 40-hour curriculum in these trainings for new hires and continue refresher trainings. I would also submit grant applications that support police mental health collaboration programs for advanced training.”
- How would you better utilize the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office reserve deputies?
“I would evaluate the program to ensure reserve deputies are up to date on training/requirements and see where training can be advanced. I would seek to utilize them for schools that need added security. I would utilize them for community service aide duties, community events and as back-up officers.”
VOTER INFORMATION
Early in-person voting
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Oct. 11-21
Valencia County Administration Offices
Early voting at alternate sites
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Oct. 22-Nov. 5
- Belen Community Center
- Bosque Farms Public Library
1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
- Valencia County Administration Offices
Absentee ballots
Absentee ballots will begin going out on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The last day to request an absentee ballot from the Valencia County clerk’s office is Thursday, Nov. 3. Absentee ballots must be returned to the clerk’s office by 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Absentee ballot drop boxes
- Valencia County Administration Office
- Belen Community Center
- Bosque Farms Public Library
1455 W. Bosque Loop, Bosque Farms
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 18, 2024
