Los Alamos Police Cmdr. Daniel Roberts speaking during the annual memorial ceremony outside the Justice Center to honor officers who died in the line of duty. He is scheduled to retire on Monday, March 2, following 16 years of service. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Police Cmdr. Roberts will retire on Monday, March 2, following 16 years of service.
“I was lucky I was able to serve the community where I grew up,” Cmdr. Roberts said. “But I am fortunate enough to continue my service with the New Mexico Army National Guard.”
Cmdr. Roberts began his law enforcement career with the Los Alamos Police Department in 2010. Throughout his tenure, he has served in multiple assignments, including Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Operations Commander, and currently Professional Standards Commander.
Police Chief Dino Sgambellone commended Cmdr. Roberts on his tenure with the department, saying, “Daniel was instrumental in earning and sustaining the department’s accreditation award through CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies). His retirement marks the conclusion of a very successful career in law enforcement and we wish him the very best in his next chapter.”
While serving as a Sergeant, Roberts led the department to its first CALEA accreditation. Since 2016, the Los Alamos Police Department has passed eight of nine CALEA inspections with 100% compliance, and Cmdr. Roberts personally maintained a 100% compliance rate on all seven inspections under his leadership.
During his time with the department, Cmdr. Roberts has introduced numerous training initiatives and organizational improvements. In 2014, he established the department’s first Hostage Negotiations Team after earning international certification as a negotiator.
In 2015, Cmdr. Roberts partnered with Los Alamos National Laboratory to help implement active-shooter training and also launched the department’s first ever employee fitness program. He personally oversaw the development of the fitness and workout rooms projects.
Los Alamos County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson has worked with Cmdr. Roberts for more than a decade and shared her thoughts on the eve of his retirement.
“After decades of dedicated service to the Los Alamos Police Department, Commander Daniel Roberts is retiring, closing a remarkable chapter defined by leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to protecting others. For those of us who had the privilege of serving alongside him—including myself for the past 11 years—his retirement marks not only the departure of an exceptional Commander, but of a trusted colleague and dear friend,” Simpson said. “Commander Roberts’ career reflects the very best of what public service stands for. He rose through the ranks of the Los Alamos Police Department through hard work, steady leadership, and an unshakable sense of responsibility. Daniel was also a driving force behind ensuring officers and first responders were prepared for the threats of a changing world. He played a central role in active shooter training throughout Los Alamos County, helping ensure that agencies were ready to respond swiftly and effectively in the most critical moments. His commitment to preparation was never about recognition—it was about making sure everyone went home safely.”
Simpson also spoke of Cmdr. Roberts’ success in leading the department’s accreditation program.
“One of his most lasting contributions was his leadership in the department’s accreditation program. Daniel’s attention to detail, institutional knowledge, and relentless preparation ensured flawless accreditation inspections, reinforcing the Los Alamos Police Department’s standing as a professional, accountable, and nationally recognized agency. Those successes were not accidental—they were the result of his quiet dedication and pride in doing things the right way, she said.
Simpson addressed Cmdr. Roberts’ military service.
“Close to my heart as a veteran myself, Commander Roberts continues to honorably serve as a veteran of the United States Army National Guard, continuing his lifelong commitment to service beyond our community,” she said. “The discipline, humility, and leadership he carries from his military service were evident every day in his work and in the example he set for others. For those of us who worked beside him, Daniel was more than a Commander. He was someone you could count on—steady in a crisis, generous with his knowledge, and always willing to support those around him. His mentorship helped shape careers, his leadership strengthened our department, and his friendship made the job more meaningful. It has been an honor to serve beside him and call him a friend.”
Brigadier General Nathaniel Carper, Deputy Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard, also spoke highly of Cmdr. Roberts.
“Lt. Col. Roberts is a tremendous leader. We look for talent … and someone who can contribute to our team … when we heard Lt. Col. Roberts was retiring, we had an opening and were happy to offer it to him,” Brigadier General Carper said. “We are pleased he will continue to serve our state and the nation.”
Cmdr. Roberts told the Los Alamos Daily Post that he has accepted the position of Supervisor of the New Mexico National Guard Regional Training Institute, which he begins in April.
Cmdr. Roberts graduated from the Northwestern Police Staff and Command College in 2018 and the FBI National Academy in 2023. He remains actively involved in community service, volunteering with Special Olympics, Taos Feeds Taos, local nonprofit preschools, and the Española Light Parade. He also served for six years as Treasurer and President of the Los Alamos Public Safety Association (LAPSA).
In addition to his law enforcement career, Cmdr. Roberts brings extensive military experience. His service includes both active-duty Army and the National Guard. He enlisted in 2003 in the U.S. Army as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter mechanic and, after certification, completed consecutive tours in South Korea. During this period, he advanced to Crew Chief and later Flight Instructor. In 2005, he was selected for the Army’s Green-to-Gold commissioning program and attended officer training at the University of New Mexico. Upon commissioning as a Lieutenant, he joined the New Mexico National Guard, where he continues to serve. He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and commands the 111th Special Troops Battalion, a specialized unit of more than 500 authorized soldiers providing critical support capabilities to the 111th Sustainment Brigade.
Across more than two decades of military service, Roberts has supported numerous large-scale operations and state emergency responses. His leadership roles have included overseeing the Española region during Operation Deep Freeze, coordinating response efforts during the Dog Head and Track wildfires, serving as Medical Director for Exercise Vigilant Guard, and most recently acting as Task Force Commander in Ruidoso during historic flooding events.
Cmdr. Roberts earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of New Mexico in 2009. He later completed a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from American Military University in 2014, a Master’s degree in Public Administration Management in 2021, and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia in 2023.
His military education includes the Medical Operations Course, AMEDD Captain’s Career Course, Support Operations Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Advanced Operations Course.
Well Wishes From Cmdr. Roberts’ Family
Wife Kim and children Owen and Axel Roberts: “Congratulations on your retirement from the Police Department! May this day bring you all the admiration and recognition you deserve. Owen, Axel, and I are immensely proud of you for this huge accomplishment. The PD was lucky to have such a considerate, generous, and selfless Commander. Thank you for your service and integrity. You made our community a better place. Thank you for continuing to serve our country. We are cheering for you as you embark on your next assignment as the AO for the New Mexico Army National Guard’s Regional Training Institute. Owen and Axel are the luckiest boys to have the coolest dad for a role model. We admire your willingness to strive for more and to never settle for anything but the best. You are a real go-getter. We love you tons!”
Sister Stacey and Brother-in-law Michael Ogan: “Michael met Danny in college while they were in ROTC together. His character and integrity were immediately apparent. It was no surprise to either of us when he decided to pursue two simultaneous careers, serving both his community and country. His staunch dedication to Los Alamos and his family has continually inspired us. He is the type of person we would, and have, entrusted to watch over our family during Dad’s military deployments.”
Mother-in-law Lupita y Father-in-law Luis Pinzon: “Los dias y los anos pasan rapido. Hemos conocido a una persona, honesta, energetica, y con un enfoque en su trabajo con rectitud y honestidad al profesionalismo. Los anos que se a preparado todo el tiempo ha sido quien ha dado la pauta su trabajando en diferentes dependencias importantes como lo son el Army, Policia, se graduo de la academia FBI. Ahora, el termina este ciclo con la policia de departamento de Los Alamos, les hablamos de Danny Roberts, de quien nos sentimos sumamente orgullosos. Nosotros temenos mucho gusto y mucho orgullo en conocer a esta persona. Dios lo bendiga y Dios nos debe mandar mas personas asi.”
Sister Patricia Roberts McCulloch and Brother-in-law Quinn McCulloch: “We are so proud of Cmdr. Roberts and his service to Los Alamos. He serves his community and his country with honesty and integrity and rises above any challenge he faces. As his family, we get to see the side of him that few others do. He is a wonderful brother, uncle, and dad. We know how much effort he puts into everything he takes on. We wish him success in the next chapter of his life and thank him for years of selfless service to this town.”
Father Jeff and Stepmom Laurel Roberts: “As Daniel’s parents, we thought we would give a brief history of some of Daniel’s accomplishments. When Daniel left high school, he felt a deep personal need to serve his country and community in some way. Enlisting in the United States Army, he attended boot camp at Fort Jackson. We were lucky to be able to attend the graduation ceremony, and surprised when he was on the reviewing stand, receiving a leadership award and one of only two soldiers (out of some 700) to receive a medal for scoring perfectly in the Army physical fitness testing. During his overseas tour of duty, he was selected for officer training and sent to UNM to further his education. After graduation, he was accepted as a patrolman at LAPD, and continued to serve in the New Mexico National Guard. In his dual roles he has been called on many times for state emergencies, most recently leading the recovery efforts for the Ruidoso flooding, and in tragic events here in Los Alamos. Throughout his career, both at the LAPD and Guard, he has always performed with the utmost integrity, professionalism, and sense of duty. All the while, continuing his education and completing two MS degrees. He continues to serve, as Lt. Colonel Roberts has accepted a full time position with the NM National Guard. We find it hard to relate how proud we are of him; he has grown beyond our greatest expectations, and is a testament to honor and duty. While LAPD is losing a dedicated officer, the National Guard gains an important asset.”
Cmdr. Roberts said he and his family intend to remain living in the community following his retirement.