Person of the Month

    Police Chief Vanessa Ordonez was appointed by the Mayor of Anthony New Mexico back in 2019. She is not just a Police Chief; she is also a Navy Reservist and a Mother. But let us get to know her from the beginning after she graduated from Onate High School in 2001. In High School, she was in the Navy JROTC program and once she graduated, she enlisted in the Navy. She served the first 6 years in the Navy on active duty. She started off as an undesignated airman and was plane captain for her squadron. As a plane captain, Ordoñez was responsible for servicing aircraft and assisting pilots in maneuvering the aircraft on the ground, using hand or light signals. In 3 years' time, Ordonez moved into the personnel specialist (PS) rating. Her job was to maintain Sailors’ electronic service records, and career information, and assist with transfers, separations, and retirements.

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    During her time in the Navy, Ordonez was able to travel to multiple foreign countries including France, England, and Italy. She got an Emerald Shellback certificate for crossing the equator at the prime meridian, and she experienced many different cultures which really enhanced her cultural awareness. Ordoñez also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, using the Navy’s tuition assistance program. She completed her initial enlistment in 2007 at the rank of petty officer 3rd class (E-4). At that time, Ordoñez decided to get out of the Navy because she wanted to apply the degree she’d earned to a civilian profession.

    Once discharged, Ordoñez attended and graduated from a police academy in New Mexico. “The great thing about it is not only was I able to apply the academic knowledge I had gained in the Navy to my profession as a police officer, but many of the skills, operational experiences, and discipline I learned were extremely valuable as well,” said Ordoñez. She worked her way up through the police force ranks and also continued her education. In 2010, Ordoñez earned a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice, and in 2019, the Mayor of Anthony, New Mexico appointed Ordoñez as the APD chief of police. 

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Now for some questions:

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Are you still in the reserves? If so, do you expect to be called again?

    Yes, I am still in the Reserves, in fact, last month I was recognized as Sailor of the Quarter from 18 Navy Reserve Centers across seven states. With the tensions rising in the Middle East, there is always the possibility of being called out again to support the mission of the Navy. The City of Anthony has enabled veterans and service members like me to reach our full potential in the workplace and it helps to have their full support when military duty calls.

 

What is the hardest part of being a Police Chief?

    Hardships change depending on what is happening with public safety trends. Currently, I would say recruitment is a challenge. Smaller communities like ours cannot match the pay and incentives offered by larger departments so we are always striving to be more competitive.

Additionally, the scrutiny placed upon law enforcement in today’s society has shifted significantly and it's not the most glamorous job people want to do anymore. Those of us who are in this profession are here because we have the heart for it, we love helping people and have great passion for a career in public safety.

 

Have you had any close calls with felons?

    Yes. Working for a small department, it is not uncommon for me to help my team with calls for service including assisting our Detectives with felonies. I am a working Chief and wear different hats to meet the operational needs of our Department. Just this year alone, I was the incident commander on a call involving a male subject who barricaded inside a home with a knife after he assaulted one of our Officers with a brick. I also had a call involving a stabbing where I rendered aid to the victim involved, who was bleeding profusely, and then later assisted in locating and arresting the suspect. These incidents definitely are a reminder that I play many roles in this Department and being a team player is key.   

 

How many officers do you manage?

    Currently, we are a team of 12 certified peace officers; however, we are filling vacancies with a recent Law Enforcement Recruitment Fund we were awarded approximately $393,000. When we are fully staffed, considering the recruitment fund, we will have 18 certified peace officers in total.

 

What is the one thing you wish you had enough funding for?

    I am aiming toward the construction of a new public safety building for our Police Department to have more space to operate and be in a more centralized location for our residents. We work for our residents and want to always provide the best service possible to them. I do wish this could happen tomorrow but I understand this is a large project which will take some time to see through, but I am optimistic this will happen in the next few years.

 

Lately, there have been more drivers running red lights and speeding, how do handle this and are there enough officers patrolling?

We do set up frequent patrols of areas of concern. For example, we had an issue with stop sign violations at Acosta Rd. and Angle Rd. We set up saturation patrols or also work on our SAFER NM grant-funded projects to assist with traffic enforcement on the roadway. Staying proactive and visible also deters these activities.

 

You mentioned a daughter, how old is she and how does she handle the career you have?

    My daughter, Nataly, is 15 years old and very involved with her dance team. She handles my career like a champ. Nataly is the strongest girl I know and no matter what kind of day I am having, she makes everything easier for me with her support. Nataly is a warrior to handle her mom having not just one but two jobs as Chief and as a Navy Reservist. I want to always show her that women can be leaders and can do anything they put their heart into.

 

How do juggle the daily life of a Police Chief, a Navy Reservist, and a mother?

    Being a mother always comes first for me. I thank God for all my blessings and to have the family support I have is immeasurable. Time management and prioritizing tasks are key to balancing my daily life. Communication is also very helpful and advanced planning. 

 

What do you do on your time off? Hobbies?

    On my time off, I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, going to the beach, and mountain biking. Getting out into nature has a way to benefit the body and the mind. With this exposure by slowing down, I always feel reenergized especially when we work in high-stress environments. 

 

We would like to Thank Vanessa Ordoñez for serving the community and serving our country.