Santa Fe wants public’s input in search for new police chief

SANTA FE – Santa Fe officials are asking the public to weigh in on the search for the city's next police chief.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the search has been narrowed down to 10 candidates.

Kyra Ochoa, director of community health and safety, told the newspaper the city received 13 applications. No women applied.

The current crop of candidates include interim Santa Fe Police Department chief Paul Joye and applicants from as far away as New Jersey and North Carolina.

The city for the next two months will seek the public's opinion through panels, forums and surveys in English and Spanish.

Officials began the search Nov. 15, two weeks before Chief Andrew Padilla retired.