Sandoval County, NM— With more than 40 years of dedicated law enforcement experience, Jose “Joe” Gonzales officially announces his candidacy for Sandoval County Sheriff. A proven leader with a legacy of innovation and integrity, Gonzales is committed to continuing his lifelong mission of protecting and serving the community with excellence, accountability, and trust.
A respected figure in Sandoval County, New Mexico law enforcement, Gonzales brings a track record of achievement that sets him apart. Under his leadership, the department has seen transformative improvements:
- Creation of a K-9 Unit: Recognizing the importance of specialized policing tools, Gonzales spearheaded the development of the county’s first K-9 Unit, which has significantly enhanced narcotics detection, suspect apprehension, and search-and-rescue capabilities.
- Tackling the Backlog of Felony Warrants: Spearheaded a task force that successfully reduced a longstanding backlog of felony warrants, ensuring that dangerous offenders are held accountable.
- Enhanced Community Policing: Gonzales has expanded community outreach and engagement initiatives, fostering stronger relationships between deputies and the neighborhoods they serve, including youth mentorship. He believes community trust is the cornerstone of effective policing.
- Increased Staffing: Understanding the growing needs of the county, he advocated for and secured funding to hire additional deputies, improving response times and public safety coverage across the region.
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Modernized Fleet: Gonzales led the effort to upgrade the department’s aging fleet with modern, fuel-efficient, and better-equipped patrol vehicles, enhancing both officer safety and operational readiness.
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Advanced Training Programs: With a focus on professionalism and preparedness, he introduced advanced training protocols that emphasize de-escalation, crisis intervention, and mental health awareness—ensuring deputies are ready to meet today’s complex policing challenges.
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Complete Overhaul of Departmental Policy and Procedures – Led a comprehensive review and modernization of policies to reflect best practices in accountability, use of force, and ethical conduct.
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Unprecedented Interagency Cooperation – Built strong working relationships with municipal and Tribal police departments within the county and in neighboring counties to improve intelligence sharing and joint operations.
Gonzales’s deep roots in the county, unmatched experience, and results-driven leadership make him the clear choice to continue leading the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office into a safer, stronger future.
ACHIEVEMENTS
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CREATION OF A K9 UNIT
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TACKLING BACKLOG OF FELONY WARRANTS
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ENHANCED COMMUNITY POLICING
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INCREASED STAFFING
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MODERNIZED FLEET
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ADVANCED TRAINING TECHNOLOGIES
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POLICY AND PROCEDURE OVERHAUL
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UNPRECEDENTED INTERAGENCY COOPERATION
Why I am running?
“I’ve devoted my life to law enforcement because I believe in justice, service, and the safety of our families. As your next Sheriff, I will build on the progress we’ve made—ensuring our department is transparent, well-trained, and always working with the community, not just in it.”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE!