Police chief leaving position

Tucumcari Police Chief David Lathrom has resigned his position, effective July 7.

City Manager Mark Martinez confirmed the resignation on Friday.

"We appreciate his service and wish him the best in his future endeavors," Martinez said.

Attempts to reach Lathrom for comment were not successful.

Lathrom was hired as police chief in February 2017, following the retirement of Jason Braziel in December 2016.

Braziel had served seven years as the city's police chief and 24 years in law enforcement overall.

A committee of then-city manager Jared Langenegger, Human Resource director Shannon Shay, Quay County Under Sheriff Dennis Garcia and New Mexico State Police Lt. Bert Hinders were among a selection committee that considered three applicants, including Tucumcari officer Pete Rivera.

Langenegger said at the time that Tucumcari needed an experienced leader to guide a young law-enforcement staff.

Lathrom brought 30 years of law enforcement experience to the Tucumcari chief position, including as an an officer in Wichita, Molvane, Argonia and Sedgwick County, all in Kansas.

Before taking the Tucumcari position, he had served as the police chief in Argonia since 2013.

He holds a master's degree in criminal justice from Wichita State University in Kansas.