King Keller Narrows Search for APD Police Chief Down to Three

ALBUQUERQUE – 

Mayor Tim Keller has narrowed down the list of candidates for Albuquerque’s next Chief of Police to three finalists.

According to an e-mail, after completing interviews this week, three finalists were identified: Dallas PD Assistant Police Chief Gilberto Garza, APD’s Interim Chief Cecily Barker, and Perry Tarrant, the former assistant police chief in Seattle.

A total of 19 people applied for the position and seven were interviewed during the selection process.

The public was not privy to the 19 people who applied for the position.

“I am confident we will be ready to announce a new chief of police by the end of the month,” Mayor Keller said in a prepared statement via e-mail.. “We have great candidates with a range of experience in law enforcement in large police departments. I will make my choice based on what is best for public safety in Albuquerque.”

We reached out to Press Secretary for Mayor Keller, Dan Mayfield, to see if the public or City Council members will be able to meet the 3 candidates. At the time of this publication, we have not heard back.

Mayor Keller announced the search for a new chief in January. The city conducted public surveys, focus groups, and public forums to gather input from over 1,000 Albuquerque residents, who expressed their priorities for the hiring of the chief.

City leaders also hired an outside firm, Public Sector Search & Consulting, Inc., to assist with the recruitment and selection process. That contract was $100,000 for the services rendered during the process.

Mayor Keller was re-elected in November 2025 to serve a historic third, straight term in office.