21-year veteran of Arizona DPS is new police chief in Hobbs
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A 21-year veteran of the Arizona Department of Public Safety is the new police chief in Hobbs.
City officials announced Wednesday that they offered the job to John Ortolano and he accepted.
Ortolano was one of three finalists for the job.
Hobbs Police Chief Chris McCall retired in February after 6 1/2 years as the city's 24th police chief in the department's 90-year history.
Ortolano had been a captain with the DPS and served in the Criminal Investigations Division and Gang Enforcement Bureau.
The multi-agency State Gang Task Force serves the Phoenix metropolitan area and deters criminal gang activity.
Ortolano is a Navy veteran, served in the U.S. Army National Guard as a combat medical specialist and earned a master's degree in criminal justice from American Military University.