GRANTS, N.M. – Grants Police Chief Maxine Monte will retire September 30, ending a tenure as chief that began in 2022.
“Yes, I am retiring at the end of the month,” Monte confirmed to the Cibola Citizen on Sept. 22.
City Manager Andrew Valencia said he will appoint an interim chief while the city searches for Monte’s successor. He did not name an interim chief or provide a timeline for the search.
Monte began her law enforcement career as a Grants police reserve officer in 1992. She has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2005.
Mayor Erik Garcia said Monte’s retirement was planned. He credited her leadership during efforts to improve officer pay and retirement benefits and to secure a planned $3.4 million renovation of the police department. Work on that project has not yet begun, he said.
Garcia thanked Monte for returning to lead a department where she had previously served. Valencia, who said he has worked alongside Monte for more than 30 years, praised her commitment to public safety and said the city intends to maintain consistent leadership during the transition.
Mayor Erik Garcia said Monte had told him she expected to serve only a few years as chief, and that her retirement was planned. He praised her work to improve the department, including efforts to increase officer pay and retirement benefits. He also credited her with helping secure a planned $3.4 million renovation of the police department. Work on the renovation has not yet begun.
“What she did to improve the department is impressive,” Garcia said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the work she has done.”
Valencia said he has worked alongside Monte for more than 30 years.
“Throughout that time, I have personally witnessed her dedication to public service, her commitment to the safety of our residents, and the pride she has taken in serving the community we call home,” he said in a statement.
Valencia said the city is committed to a smooth transition while maintaining consistent leadership within the department.
Garcia said Monte understood the department’s challenges when she took the job and gave it her full effort. “She is retiring like Michael Jordan, on top,” he said.