No hard feelings by fired TPD chief

Former Tucumcari police chief Pete Rivera says he holds no hard feelings from his firing last month.

Rivera said in a phone interview last week he was relieved to no longer be in law enforcement.

“Out of the 35 years in that work, it’s time for me to relax,” he said.

Rivera said the city did not provide a reason for his termination on Jan. 26. He said he was still on his six-month probationary period in his employment as police chief. As a result, the city was not required to give a reason for his firing.

“Everything’s good; I’m happy,” Rivera said. “The department’s in a great place. There are some great guys there. The Tucumcari Police Department will continue to protect and serve as it always has, with or without me.”

City manager Paula Chacon did not give a reason for Rivera’s firing, citing personnel matters. Chacon said Thursday she will oversee the police department until an interim chief is named sometime this week.

The City of Tucumcari began advertising filling the police chief opening in the Feb. 1 edition of the Quay County Sun and will take applications through March 1.

Rivera had been on the Tucumcari Police Department for almost 12 years.

Rivera became acting police chief shortly after the resignation of previous chief David Lathrom in July 2021. Lathrom had served in the position for a little over four years.

Rivera became permanent police chief shortly after Chacon was hired as city manager in August 2022.