Silver City - Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds announced the promotion of 10 Silver City police officers, ranging in rank from corporal to captain. The promotions are the first in several years, and represent salary increases ranging from five to 10 percent, Reynolds said.

Reynolds explained that more officers are now choosing to remain with the department through retirement, something that was uncommon 10 years ago, when Reynolds found himself in a "constant training and hiring mode."

"Over the past six years, I've seen more officers who stay with the Department until they retire," Reynolds said, explaining that town management has worked more closely with the police union to develop a more attractive retirement package, which "helps keep the experience in-house and reduces our hiring and training costs."

Reynolds said he has also worked hard to improve professionalism and employee satisfaction within the department, in part by instilling a higher standard of conduct and offering more training opportunities. Officers are also more accountable than ever before given the use of body cameras, which is a department requirement.

"I'm privileged to work with a great bunch of officers," said Reynolds. "We've worked hard in the department to achieve a higher standard of professionalism and I'm pleased to say that our officers are holding that standard."

In order to be promoted, officers must first complete written examinations, interviews and background investigations. Lieutenants and captains are only required to be interviewed and complete a background check. Reynolds said he anticipates additional promotions within the next four years, pending officer retirements.

The following officers were promoted:

Captain Fred PortilloCaptain Fred Portillo, 29, is a lifelong Silver City resident and a 2005 graduate of Silver City High School. Portillo graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) in 2006, then joined the Silver City Police Department (SCPD). He was recently promoted to captain of the traffic and patrol division, and was Officer of the Year in 2012. He is married with two children, and enjoys family time, outdoor activities and sports. Captain Portillo plans to attend the National FBI Academy and hopes to achieve the rank of Chief of Police before retiring from the Department.

Lieutenant James CruzanLieutenant James Cruzan joined the Silver City Police Department in 2004, after serving in the US Army and the National Guard in Santa Clara. He was deployed in Kosovo and Iraq during his tour of duty, and now dedicates himself to his son, teaching Judo and Karate, and playing guitar. Lt. Cruzan has worked as a Special Response Team (SWAT) operator and team leader, and attended the Response to Terrorist Bombing Instructor School at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and helps teach at the WNMU Law Enforcement Academy. His future plans include continuing his education, consulting with emergency response personnel, and traveling.

Sergeant Jason WoodsSergeant Jason Woods joined the SCPD in 2005, and is a 2006 graduate of the WNMU Law Enforcement Academy. Sgt. Woods served as a corporal and acting sergeant before his recent promotion to sergeant. He is certified in crash reconstruction and is a member of the Department's crash reconstruction team, serving as an instructor in use of force and crash investigations. He is also a member of the Department's bicycle patrol and is certified through the International Police Mountain Bike Association. Sgt. Woods is also a certified field training officer and helps train new officers. Sgt. Woods says he enjoys time with his family and friends, sports and serving the community. He hopes to spend his entire career with the SCPD.

Sergeant Arthur RasconSergeant Arthur Rascon is a 10-year veteran of the SCPD and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice from WNMU and is a graduate of the WNMU Law Enforcement Academy. Sgt. Rascon was awarded the Medal of Valor in 2009, and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Corporal William LaraCorporal William Lara is a graduate of Cobre High School and WNMU's Law Enforcement Academy. He enjoys sports and outdoor activities.

Corporal Steven DelgadoCorporal Steven Delgado graduated from the WNMU Law Enforcement Academy in 2013, after spending two seasons with the US Forest Service in the Silver City Ranger District. Cpl. Delgado is a defensive tactics instructor and taser instructor for the SCPD, and plans to "excel as a supervisor" and continue serving SCPD.

Corporal Joseph AguirreCorporal Joseph Aguirre is a 2009 WNMU Law Enforcement Academy graduate, and was awarded "most physically fit" in his class, before joining the SCPD later that year. He was named Officer of the Year in 2010, and currently serves as the Department's lead defensive tactics and taser instructor, and is an assistant trainer in these tactics at WNMU. Cpl. Aguirre says his goal is "to be an excellent supervisor for my fellow patrolmen" and plans to work his way through the ranks and retire from SCPD. He enjoys spending time with his five children, hunting and coaching softball and wrestling.

Detective Sergeant
Ben VillegasDetective Sergeant Ben Villegas is a 16-year SCPD veteran, who decided to become a police officer after participating in the Boy Scouts explorer program with the SCPD in 1996. He graduated from Silver City High School in 1999 and immediately enrolled in WNMU's Law Enforcement Academy. He was hired by the Town of Hurley even before graduating from the Academy in 2000, and was soon hired to serve in Silver City. Sgt. Villegas was promoted to investigations in 2003, and assigned to the narcotics division in 2005 and then the Border Operations Task Force. He plans to spend the remainder of his career in Silver City.

Detective Jory BascomDetective Jory Bascom, 29, was promoted from the position of patrol officer. He enjoys outdoor activities and family time. His future goals include "becoming more proficient within my duties as a detective so that I may better serve the department and community."

Detective Salvador QuintanaDetective Salvador Quintana is a lifelong Silver City resident and son of Cruz Ortiz and Socorro Prieto. He joined the SCPD in 2010, after working as a patrolman in Santa Clara. Detective Quintana thanks his mother for "everything that you had to sacrifice for me and my sisters each and every day. Without you I wouldn't be in the position that I am today."