Tenured officer vies for sheriff

SANDOVAL COUNTY — John Paul Trujillo, someone who has had 28 years of law enforcement experience with Sandoval County, announced March 6 that he’d be throwing his hat in the ring for sheriff.

His qualifications include graduating from the State Law Enforcement Academy, the FBI National Academy and the National Sheriff’s Academy. He is also a member of St. Thomas Aquinas church.

Trujillo lists several priorities for the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, including top priorities like reducing a backlog of warrants and addressing “violent reoffending.”

He also has priorities to improve prevention of property crime, strengthen emergency communications and response, implement modern technology in the department, partner with surrounding agencies and plan for growth in the county.

“Upholding a commitment to bipartisan accountability and responsible leadership,” is another of Trujillo’s pledges.

School safety, domestic impact and DWI are teams that he hopes to create within SCSO, the announcement states. He also wants to ensure 24-hour coverage of the county from the office.