Chief Dino Sgambellone at the Post recently discussing how policing has changed over the 10 years he has served as chief of the Los Alamos Police Department. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Ten years ago Dino Sgambellone arrived in town from Mansfield, Ohio to take the helm of the Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD). Chief Sgambellone recalled what struck him most about Los Alamos when he began to work here on Nov. 12, 2013.
“Los Alamos is about as far opposite as you could get from Mansfield,” he said. “This is a fiscally sound community with high education, high median income, low crime, and low unemployment. In Mansfield there was poverty, high unemployment and lack of opportunity which drove its high crime and fiscal emergency.”
During a recent interview at the Los Alamos Daily Post, Chief Sgambellone explained that from a community perspective as he began his new job, he immediately began evaluating what partnerships could help LAPD provide better service. He identified a strong relationship with both the Lab and the schools as important and necessary to provide the best service to the community.
“I remember feeling blessed to come to this community and work with so many outstanding people,” Chief Sgambellone said. “The officers and staff in the police department have always been dedicated and professional and senior management at the County including County Manager Steven Lynne and former County Manager Harry Burgess have been great to work with. Each school superintendent and senior security managers at LANL have all been exceptional. Our social service partners have allowed us to expand our programmatic efforts to reach more people in need.”
Officials at these organizations congratulated Chief Sgambellone on his 10-year milestone.
County Manager Steven Lynne said, “I’d like to thank Chief Sgambellone for his dedication to excellence and commitment to our community’s safety over the past decade. Congratulations to him on his 10th anniversary as our Police Chief.”
Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes said, “Congratulations to Chief Dino on 10 years leading LAPD. He is a steady dedicated chief that puts his people first. I have very much enjoyed working alongside him for the past 10 years.”
Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Guy said, “Congratulations! Chief Sgambellone has been a strong advocate for our schools and our children! He brought school resource officers into our schools with a focus on building supportive relationships. He was responsible for bringing Kindergarten Safety Town to the community and as a result hundreds of our youngest students are safer. I am grateful that he cares deeply for our children.”
General Manager Lennie Upshaw of Northern New Mexico Integrated Security LLC, which provides protective services at Los Alamos National Laboratory said, “I’d like to send a huge congratulations to Chief Dino! Completing 10 years as Chief is quite an accomplishment, especially as law enforcement is an increasingly challenging profession, and it takes a special type of leadership to maintain an effective force. Chief Sgambellone has consistently provided that leadership and is a true community servant. I appreciate the partnership of the LAPD under his guidance.”
Chief Sgambellone mentioned another difference between Los Alamos and his former police department.
“The level of trust the community expresses for the local police department is significantly higher than in Mansfield,” he said.
He also said that the expectations of the citizens here have changed over the last 10 years.
“Our citizens today expect a higher level of transparency and professionalism in their police department,” Chief Sgambellone said. “That was a big influence to me in seeking national accreditation.”
LAPD has been fully accredited since 2018 and is one of three law enforcement agencies nationally accredited within New Mexico. The other two agencies are the Farmington Police Department and New Mexico State Police. The national accreditation validates the fact that LAPD adheres to strict standards set forth by CALEA – the gold standard in policing. The most recent review shows LAPD consistently remains in compliance in all applicable standards and has achieved 100% compliance to applicable standards in six consecutive inspections.
“The Fire Department remains a great public safety partner and together we represent the only New Mexico municipality to have nationally accredited police and fire departments,” Chief Sgambellone said.
Another change in the last 10 years is that the police department has leveraged the power of technology particularly given the increasing sophistication of criminals, he said.
Summing up his decade as the local police chief, he said, “It’s been a blessing to have been hired here as chief and the quality of people I have been able to work with has been exceptional. Our community partners and community as a whole have been engaged and supportive. For what I do, I don’t think you could ask for anything more.”
Chief Sgambellone holds a Ph.D. in Public Safety and Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees.