Interim Operations Commander Jason Braziel is Tucumcari’s new top cop.

Braziel accepted the position of chief of police on April 7.

“I am excited and happy to be the new chief,” Braziel said. “I am ready to help the department move forward in a positive direction.”

Braziel is an 11-year veteran of the Tucumcari Police Department.

Tucumcari has been without a police chief since Jan 15, when Roger Hatcher was placed on paid administrative leave and fired 10 days later.

The position was advertised, beginning Feb. 3, in the Quay County Sun, said City Clerk Christine Dougherty. She said it was also posted in the Albuquerque Journal, the city of Tucumcari’s Web site, the New Mexico Municipal League Web site, and the New Mexico Department of Labor Web site.

Ten applications including Braziel's were submitted before the March 5 deadline.

Braziel was chosen by a committee appointed by City Manager Bobbye Rose.

“With the applicants the committee had to review, Jason was the best choice,” said Mike Cherry, assistant city manager. “We had some very impressive applications. It was a difficult decision.”

Members of the committee:

Ronald Reeves, Quay County District Attorney

Joe Schallert, Quay County Sheriff

Bob McClelland Jr., owner of Bobs’ Budget Pharmacy

Ed Perea, Tucumcari resident

Mike Cherry, Tucumcari assistant city manager and fire chief

Bobbye Rose, Tucumcari city manager.

Chief Applicants:

• Jason Braziel

• Robert Cooper, Tucumcari police detective

• Patricia Lopez, Tucumcari police sergeant

• Lloyd Maestas, Land Ranger II for state of New Mexico, Tucumcari

• Charles Newman, mechanic, Tucumcari

• Peter Rivera, Tucumcari police sergeant

• Jesus Roybal, Santa Rosa city administrator

• Ty Sharpe, Roswell police sergeant

• Michael Shumate, Gallup police senior criminal investigator

• Todd Warren, sales executive, Texarkana, Texas