Changes to RRPD chaplain program prompt concern from former chaplains

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho Police Department volunteer chaplain program has been reduced to half of what it was at the start of 2025 as of Jan. 21, 2026.

What used to be 20 people serving the needs of the city is now nine people, the department confirmed.

Two former RRPD chaplains claim the loss in numbers is due to two incidents they say are related. To avoid retaliation and negative impact on their congregations in Rio Rancho, they requested to share their concerns anonymously.

Chaplains complain

According to both chaplains, at least six of the chaplains, who are experienced and had longevity with the department, that left the Rio Rancho program did so after attending the Sandoval County Dispatch Center Ribbon Cutting July 24. They added that of those who left, all of them responded to at least two to three calls for service a week, which often added up to 100 service hours monthly.

The chaplains claimed that a few days prior to the ceremony, they were instructed by RRPD to not attend. More specifically, they were told they could attend representing other agencies they worked with besides RRPD.

According to documents released to the Observer from the city of Rio Rancho, chaplains with the department received a text message July 21 confirming the two chaplains' claims.

“FYI: No RRPD personnel are authorized to attend the ribbon cutting at Sandoval County on the 24th. Thank you,” the first text reads.

The chaplain responded to confirm details.

“GM. I’m assuming that’s in uniform representing the department correct?” they asked.

The response stated, “we have formally separated.” regarding Sandoval County and the city.

The chaplains said six of them did attend, wearing uniforms for other agencies such as Sandoval County chaplains, their congregations, etc. They posted a photo to Facebook as well, showing their support for the opening.

On the day of the ceremony, after the photo was posted, chaplains got notice from Chief Stewart Steele that they weren’t allowed to go at all.

A one-sided text thread from the chief to captains in the department was released to the Observer as well.

“I believe Captain Reedy notified Chaplain Keeling that we were not allowed to attend, but in addition to attending (with other chaplains from Rio) they posted pictures on Facebook,” the text reads.

“Please tell me this isn’t a photo of our chaplains at an event we were told not to attend??????”

While these texts came from Steele, the chaplains indicated they felt the order itself came from the administrative offices of the city of Rio Rancho. These claims were unconfirmed.

“We got a very strong inclination that that picture and our representing our departments on where we were was going to be the end of our stay at Rio Rancho PD,” one chaplain stated.

They added that they had a feeling something was going to happen but didn't want to look too far into it, so they left it alone.

When the chaplains got notice of changes to the chaplain standard operating procedures in Rio Rancho, several resigned. The SOP, prior to this change, allowed the chaplains to not only serve RRPD but other agencies. Now, RRPD requires chaplains to only serve programs within the city of Rio Rancho.

According to documents released to the Observer, the change to the SOP was considered July 28. The official change was enacted Aug. 4.

“In order to maintain the highest level of commitment, availability and service to the Rio Rancho Police Department (RRPD) and the community we serve, all members of the Rio Rancho Chaplaincy Program shall volunteer exclusively for the entities within the city of Rio Rancho,” the SOP reads.

“Chaplains participating in this program may not serve as chaplains for any other law enforcement, or emergency services outside of the city while active with RRPD.”

The first chaplain took this SOP change as a direction for chaplains to make a choice to either denounce their ordination and certification with other agencies or resign from RRPD.

“So that was the one of two problems that I had with that particular mandate. The second issue was it wasn't a mandate; it was a feeling that we were being pulled into a political and budget dispute between the city and the county,” they said.

They conceded that it was common knowledge that the two agencies got into a “tiff” over dispatch but felt like the chaplains were pulled into the middle of it.

The other chaplain confronted the RRPD administration about the SOP change and argued against it. Allegedly, fault was admitted on the administration’s part. They said when it became clear what was expected of them, they resigned. They said they knew of issues between the city and county but didn’t really care about it because “it shouldn’t impact (chaplains).”

“Because if I start, as a chaplain, if I start thinking about stuff like that, then that would have a negative effect on my job and duties and calling as a chaplain,” they said.

When they met with administration, they noted, Sandoval County's treatment of RRPD came up multiple times. The discussion was characterized more as "screaming" as well.

"These actions prove that (the chief) wanted us to take sides," they stated.

Both chaplains said a key component to being a chaplain is remaining neutral in politics and faith. Additionally, while many of the chaplains have denominational churches outside of their chaplaincy, they are non-denominational.

The chaplains, who have been in law enforcement for decades, both stated the SOP change and the discontent with their attendance at the ribbon cutting seemed to be against chaplain ethics. 

In the second chaplain’s view, they added, they followed direction and were reprimanded for it. The result, according to them, was several chaplains resigning.

RRPD response

In response to the chaplains claims, RRPD showed support for the program.

"The Rio Rancho Police Department (RRPD) has the highest regard for our Chaplaincy Program. For more than three decades, they have provided 24-hour on-call support to citizens, department members, and their families during times of need. They have also become a vital part of our department family," reads an unsigned Jan. 21 email from the RRPD public information office.

The first SOP, according to the PIO email, was formally implemented on Feb. 15, 1995. They stated the SOP has been periodically reviewed and updated to ensure it continues to meet the evolving operational needs of the department and the citizens it serves.

They acknowledged the Aug. 4 revision to the SOP but argued some chaplains were not actively engaged and that several divided their time between the department and other organizations. 

"While this suggested broad coverage on paper, the level of consistent participation did not reflect that capacity in practice. We also had several concerns, including the lack of field training being provided to our new chaplains, continued confusion in the on-call list and call-out process, and a series of misunderstandings," they stated.

"These concerns prompted a comprehensive review of the program, which resulted in two SOP changes."

One of those changes was to the lead chaplain position, which is now designated as an ancillary duty of a sworn police officer. RRPD stated it was to strengthen accountability in the program.

"This provides consistent leadership and oversight of the program," they stated.

The second change they shared was the exclusive service to Rio Rancho. They wrote that it was "to ensure the highest level of service is being provided to citizens, members of service (MOS), and their families — all chaplains are now required to serve the citizens of Rio Rancho, the MOS at both Rio Rancho Police Department and Rio Rancho Fire Department, and their families exclusively."

The changes resulted in several departures from the program, according to the PIO.

"But no chaplains were removed involuntarily. While we have provided guidance and verbal correction as needed, we cannot locate any formal disciplinary actions applied to any chaplain in the history of our program," the email stated.

Additionally, the department is unaware of any chaplain expressing or stating any SOP revisions violated their code of ethics or general morals, according to the PIO.

"The Rio Rancho Police Department remains committed to maintaining a Chaplaincy Program that operates with integrity, respect, and compassion. We extend our sincere appreciation to all chaplains — past and present — for the time, care, and dedication they have given in service to this Department and to the community we proudly serve," the email reads.