Chief John Wentz announces his retirement from Taos Police Department, ending 40-year career in law enforcement

TAOS, N.M. (June 5, 2024) – The Town of Taos extends its heartfelt gratitude to Taos Police Chief John Wentz, who announced he will retire from the Taos Police Department on December 31, 2024. When he serves his last shift in December, Chief Wentz will have served 22 years with the Taos Police Department and over 40 years of dedicated service in law enforcement.

Chief Wentz's exemplary leadership, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, has left an indelible mark on our community. The Town of Taos thanks him for his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Taos over the last two decades.

Mayor Pascual Maestas commended Chief Wentz on his long tenure and dedication to the public, “The Town of Taos and the community of Taos owe Chief John Wentz a debt of gratitude and respect for his steadfast service over two decades protecting our families, friends, and neighbors. Thank you, Chief Wentz, for your many years of service.”

“I express my sincere gratitude to Chief John Wentz for his tireless dedication and service to our community. We are grateful for his leadership, unwavering commitment, dedication to service, and for the safety and well-being he has provided to the community of Taos over the past two decades. Taos will always be your home, and we are indebted and grateful to have had you as a member of law enforcement and our Chief of Police," said Town Manager Andrew Gonzales.

Chief Wentz became the Chief of Police in March 2020, leading the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and its unprecedented public health crisis, keeping officers and the public safe. During this time, Wentz managed major staffing challenges, such as dealing with staff burnout.

“No one can be available 24/7, 365 days a year. Every officer needs a break from duty. Our officers were exposed to subjects who tested positive for COVID-19, which caused the exposed officers to be removed from duty and subject to a 10-day quarantine. The need to have at least minimum staffing on duty caused officers to have their scheduled days off canceled in order to cover shifts. The fact that the Taos Police Department has a crew of officers dedicated to the community they serve mitigated the ensuing staffing challenges for me. Rarely did I have to order an officer to work on their scheduled days off because someone would almost always volunteer. In the rare case that officers received an order to report to duty, no one ever really complained. I was very appreciative of their dedication.”

At the Taos Police Department, Chief Wentz rose through the ranks, starting as a patrol officer, then detective, then patrol sergeant until 2012, and detective sergeant in 2019, before being appointed Chief of Police in 2020. 

His leadership guided the Taos Police Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Alcantar murder case of 2003, he was the lead investigator, which led to the conviction of seven people. In August 2012, as a detective, his work contributed to the conviction in the murder of two people at the old Mercy Hospital.

In 1984, Wentz became a police officer for the St. Petersburg Police Department, serving from 1984 to 2002. However, it was visits to Taos that convinced him that the mountains of Northern New Mexico were where he belonged.

“I was just a country boy stuck in a city in Florida. I came out to Taos for a ski vacation annually, and in 2001 I bought property. Within a year, I reached out to the department about open positions,” said Chief Wentz. Ultimately, he accepted a job in Taos and left St. Petersburg. 

“I love the mountains and the wide-open spaces. When I came here, I found Taoseños were very welcoming. I find this lifestyle in Taos to be full of peace and tranquility,” said Wentz.

His message to his officers is, “Expect that a twenty-plus year career will be full of ups and downs. Pay issues will sometimes seem negative. The court of public opinion will sometimes be against you.  The legislature will sometimes create laws that will frustrate you.  Always be true to your oath of office.  Always rely on the canons of police ethics to guide you in your quest to live both your personal and professional lives as a positive example to others.  And, never forget that although you are employed by the town, you work for the people of Taos.”

For Wentz, the challenges for the next chief of police will be to continue finding ways to deal with the issues related to substance abuse and the growing number of homeless and transients to make the community feel safer.

“I care about the Town of Taos, both the organization and the community at large. I care about the officers. I hope the next chief continues to make good policing decisions with community support,” said Chief Wentz.

He urged the community not to jump to conclusions and to take in all the facts before forming opinions when it comes to policing.  

“Almost every single thing our officers deal with is negative. We are dealing with people often at their worst possible moment, and it's our officers who are here to help.” said Wentz. “The officers are human and sometimes make mistakes. We all do. They are, however, a good bunch of people who are quite tolerant, and they really do care about how they impact the community.”

Chief Wentz plans to continue living in Taos.

The Taos Police Department comprises 20 sworn officers and 4 support staff, with four vacancies.

The Town of Taos has already begun its search for the next Chief of Police.