Paul Joye began a career in public safety to serve and protect. He'll do that at the highest level after being named the new chief of the Santa Fe Police Department.

Joye joined the police force in 2006 after graduating from Eastern New Mexico University in 2002, city officials said in a release. His resume at SFPD includes stints in various areas of law enforcement from Training Officer to Detective to Captain and Deputy Chief.

His appointment, according to a city release, was confirmed by City Manager John Blair and Community Health and Safety Director Kyra Ochoa.

"I'm honored to be selected to lead the Department," Joye said. "I have spent my entire professional public safety career dedicated to serving the City of Santa Fe, and working to make the Santa Fe Police Department the best version of itself -- to be the Department this community needs and deserves."

Joye was instrumental in the creation of the Alternative Response Unit, which represents an innovative interdepartmental approach to serving people in crisis while keeping the peace for the public, according to the release. He is viewed as a progressive thinker when it comes to advancing criminal justice and community wellbeing.

According to a release, Joye was selected based on "his experience and performance; his engagement with public safety and community partnership dialogue panels; and his interactions as a finalist with Mayor Alan Webber, City Manager Blair, Community Health and Safety Director Ochoa, City Attorney Erin McSherry, and all members of the City Council."

Webber called Joye a "natural leader" who understands Santa Fe. "He also knows what's working in our Police Department and what needs to change as policing changes," Webber said. "Most important, he has a clear vision for the Police Department and its role in providing health and safety for our residents."