New GPD Chief Explains Plan to Counter Crime in Grants
GRANTS, N.M. – Maxine Monte made history in the City of Grants by becoming the first woman to ever serve as the Chief of Grants Police Department. This historic moment was celebrated by the Grants City Council and the wider community on October 26 at the regular city council meeting.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, business owners in Grants – specifically the owners of Grants’ storage facilities – approached the city councilors to address the current crime epidemic that has boiled over in Grants and is affecting surrounding communities. During the public comment portion, councilors are not allowed to address the citizens making their comments, but the pleas for a change in public safety were clear.
Keeping in step with public safety, the city moved on to swear-in their new chief of police. Maxine Monte, a longtime servant of her community and law enforcement official with years of training, administrative experience, and overall law enforcement expertise was selected to lead the department.
Municipal Judge Michael Cavin presided over the ceremony. With her family by her side, holding a bible that she used to swear-in, Monte broke the glass ceiling at Grants Police Department and became the first woman to ever serve in this position.
“I would like to say a few words,” Chief Monte said after taking a photo with GPD’s officers, “Mayor Garcia, Council, City Manager; I thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for the confidence you have expressed in me. I would like to thank my family for always supporting and believing in me. I would like to thank the citizens of Grants; I am grateful for your positive feedback and support. Society is changing and will continue to change, whether we favor it or not. The responsibility for those of us in city government is to anticipate, respond to, and mitigate the negative aspects of change while aiding and encouraging positive change. Grants Police Department’s mission statement is for every member of the Grants Police Department to consistently seek and find ways to positively promote, preserve and deliver a feeling of security, safety, and quality service to all persons within the City of Grants. We will accomplish this mission. Through communitybased, problem-oriented, and data-driven policing, with strategies that stress integrity and accountability. To the community, I promise an open, accountable police department responsive to your concerns. We will work to reduce crime in the city, to improve the quality of life for all citizens. I promise to uphold the highest qualities of law enforcement while in command, treating each citizen with dignity and respect. My philosophy of policing begins with proactive intervention and crime-prevention efforts that reduce crime and deter potential offenders through community policing. To be successful we will make community relations a high priority. The Grants Police Department will also use data-driven policing. The use of technology will help highlight the city’s highest crime areas, allowing to deploy police resources in these areas to help reduce crime. To all the officers and staff members of Grants Police Department, I commit myself to you – all that I can do – to see that you are trained, equipped supervised, supported, and to develop your potential as leaders. I believe in you. To the citizens of Grants and to the members of our business community, please know that Grants Police Department is committed to working with you to make this community a safe and secure place to live and to work and that we will work hard to gain and maintain your trust. Thank you.”
Monte’s speech received a standing ovation. Councilor Fred Rodarte spoke on the historical importance of hiring a female police chief. Councilor Beverley Michael congratulated Chiefe Monte and said that she remembered when Monte was fresh out of the academy. “You’ve come full circle,” Councilor Michael said. Mayor Pro Tem George Garcia commented on the bible Monte used, speaking about her family’s legacy of selfless service in favor of their country and community. Councilor Zachary Gutierrez congratulated the chief and said that he is looking forward to the future of GPD. Mayor Erik Garcia told Monte, “Your resume is pretty impressive and we are very excited to have an experienced person, a local person, and someone who – what you said, it’s a motivator. I thank you very much… We’re going to try and get you all the help you need.” The board then thanked Lieutenant Barbara Kohn for serving as interim chief and helping to keep the department together.
Monte is no stranger to law enforcement, having even trained with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Monte’s administration seeks to take advantage of crime data to better understand crime habits and begin a forward- looking process of combatting crime.