Cmdr. Oliver Morris On New Role As Deputy Police Chief

Deputy Police Chief Oliver Morris

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

For nearly two decades Oliver Morris has worked at the Los Alamos Police Department. He began as an Officer and has served as Corporal, Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) Resource Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, member of the Bomb Squad and Operations Commander. Now, Morris has a new title: Deputy Police Chief.

His promotion is effective Jan. 23, 2022.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity and also humbled,” Morris said. “I’ve been with the County almost 18 years and I’ve enjoyed working with my officers throughout the years and I also enjoyed working with the community in various roles. I am excited the for the challenge I am going to give it my best effort.”

Police Chief Dino Sgambellone said, “Oliver is an exceptional Officer and individual who has embodied the Core Beliefs of the Department throughout his career. I am excited for the Department and community and am honored to serve alongside Oliver in his new role as the Deputy Chief.”

Morris is taking over the position from Jason Wardlow-Herrera who retired in December, and said that he is looking forward to the new opportunities it offers. The Deputy Chief supervises the detention administrator and as a result Morris said he will have the chance to work more closely with the detention center’s staff. He said the detention officers do not always get a lot of recognition since they are not as visible to the public as the police officers, however they run a very professional jail.

The new job also offers the chance to focus more on strategic planning for the department. Morris said he would like to complete a pending project for new body worn cameras (BWC’s). The new cameras provide hot-swap batteries to officers’ body cameras, which increase duration during the shift of an officer. The new cameras may also come with a software that will allow the District Attorney’s office to obtain discovery more rapidly that has been an issue with pending court deadlines. The dispatch center also is working on a new computer automated dispatch (CAD) upgrade, which will most likely include a report writing system (RMS) for the officers. Morris would like to assist Dispatch Manager Kate Stoddard with this project.

“I am excited to learn more in the deputy chief role,” Morris said. “I worked with Deputy Chief Herrera for a long time, and I learned a lot from him.”

He said he is eager to see who will fill his former position as Commander, adding that there are a lot of “sharp and qualified sergeants” who are prepared and ready to take on the position.

Morris began his career with LAPD Feb. 2, 2004 after graduating from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

He also has served the Community as a past president for the Los Alamos Public Safety Association (LAPSA), Coordinator of the North Region for the New Mexico Special Olympics Torch Run, Los Alamos Middle School track and football assistant coach, Los Alamos Public Schools spelling bee judge and now  President for the Rotary Club of Los Alamos.

In 2019 Morris graduated from the National FBI Academy.

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