Mayor Noblin Hopes Third Round Produces Long-Term Belen Police Chief

The City of Belen continues a nearly yearlong search to fill its top law enforcement post, with Mayor Robert Noblin expressing hope that "the third round of applicants will be the charm." The vacancy follows a string of leadership changes that have left the Belen Police Department looking for stable, long-term direction.

Jose Natividad resigned from the chief’s post in March 2025 "for personal reasons" about a year after his appointment. Natividad had taken over from James Harris, who left the department to take a job in Alaska. After Natividad’s departure, Mayor Noblin named Lt. Adam Keck as the chief of the department; Keck’s name also appears among a published list of applicants for the permanent role.

City hiring materials make clear what Belen wants next: "The City of Belen is seeking a highly structured, policy-driven, and forward-thinking Police Chief" who will be a "hands-on, working Police Chief." The job description says the chief must remain actively involved in operations and serve as a visible presence in the community. Responsibilities listed include responding to scenes, managing active incidents, running calls for service, and conducting traffic stops when appropriate. Applicants should have "extensive law enforcement experience, demonstrated leadership at the command level, and a strong understanding of policy development, personnel management, and community-oriented policing." The city also states the next chief must be ready to address homelessness, drug-related activity, mental health crises, and regional crime trends influenced by proximity to the Albuquerque metro area.

A roster of candidates released by the city and local reporting includes experienced law enforcement professionals from New Mexico and beyond. Among those named with biographical detail are Charles R. Bouyer of Belen, a military veteran with 26 years in policing now serving as a sergeant with the Isleta Police Department and a former senior deputy with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office; Raye Byford of Santa Fe, with 28 years in law enforcement and 20 years in management, who has worked for International Protective Service and previously led the Tesuque Tribal Police Department; Mark Myers of Pueblo, Colorado, with 23 years of experience and current service as a criminal investigator for the Colorado Department of Corrections; Joe Portio of Los Lunas, a former Belen detective who retired from BPD in May 2020 and later ran the Blue Line Grill food truck; and Kenneth Quirk of Wendover, Utah, a former director of public safety and current municipal court judge.

The position is full-time and exempt, with a starting annual salary range of $110,000 - $120,000 and a "competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package commensurate with experience." The city began its first review of applications on 01/05/2026 and the posting remains open until filled. Interested candidates are instructed to apply online, and for additional information applicants may contact Kristin Oliver, Human Resources Director, at 505-966-2737.

For Belen residents, the hire will affect how the department responds to everyday concerns on the Rio Grande Valley corridor and the three exits off Interstate 25 that shape local traffic and regional ties to Albuquerque. A chief who combines operational visibility, firm policy standards, and community-oriented policing will influence officer accountability and neighborhood relations. The city’s third round of recruitment will determine whether Belen secures the long-term leadership officials say it needs, and the process is likely to remain a local focus until the position is filled.