Superintendent of Police Reform

Victor E Valdez

During his time on the Metropolitan Court Bench, Judge Valdez served as presiding criminal judge and served on numerous committees, including as a member and chair of the Statewide and Metropolitan Court Rules of Criminal Procedure Committees, as treasurer of the District-Metro Court Judges’ Association, and as the court’s Security Committee Chair.

Born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Retired Judge Valdez received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his law degree from the University of New Mexico in 1989. Prior to his judicial appointment, Valdez practiced law for 15 years, specializing in civil rights. He was also former president and a member of the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association.

Mayor Keller established the Superintendent of Reform in 2021 and appointed Sylvester Stanley as the Interim Superintendent to help form the position. The Superintendent is independent from the chain of command at APD, reporting through the Office of the CAO (Mayor’s Chief Administrative Officer).  The position oversees reform efforts, meeting Department of Justice requirements, overseeing all internal affairs matters, and will have the final say on police disciplinary matters.