Pictured from left to right: Chief Portillo; Lt. Manuel Jaure; Capt. Antonio Carillo and Capt. Joseph Aguirre. Photo and article by Lisa Jimenez.Silver City -- The Silver City Police Department has a completely new command staff with two new captains and a lieutenant on board, each of whom have been tasked with developing strategies to support a more community-oriented approach to policing, announced Chief Freddie Portillo. Members of the new command staff are Investigations Captain Antonio Carrillo, Administrative Lieutenant Manuel "Manny" Jaure, and Patrol Captain Joseph Aguirre.
"My administration is responsible for ongoing community outreach, and each new commander is expected to come up with events, forums and other creative opportunities to meet with concerned citizens and find common ground and solutions for the betterment of the community," said Chief Portillo. "Also, new software allows us to share more real-time information with the public regarding criminal activity, special operations and other efforts to increase transparency and keep the public better informed about what we are doing to serve and protect the community."
Under Chief Portillo's leadership, the department has contracted with the Albuquerque-based consulting firm, Blue Line Counseling, which created "assessment centers," one component of SCPD's lengthy and comprehensive hiring process, in which candidates are placed in real-world policing situations to better evaluate their aptitude for leadership positions. These assessment centers are commonly used to complement standard written and oral interview and testing procedures in police departments throughout the country, Chief Portillo explained. "Now that I've seen how the assessment center process works to identify the best officers for various positions, we'll now be building our own assessment center approach for all promotions."
Captain Antonio Carrillo, 38, is a Silver City native and graduate of Cobre High School. He and Chief Portillo attended the police academy together, and were rivals until their graduation in 2006, he recalled, laughing at the memory. "We were competing with each other all the time." The two officers then worked together for 10 years under Chief Ed Reynolds.
"I gained my core skills at SCPD, then I went to the state police and finessed my skills," added Carrillo, who was named New Mexico State Police Criminal Agent of the Year in 2024. "I was expected to retire from the state police, but I believe in this department and wanted to give back to my community. I know who Chief Portillo is and I believe in him, in this agency and what he's trying to accomplish. We may not have the resources of the state police, but I know that we can match their caliber, and that's what I'm here to help Chief Portillo do."
Under Carrillo's command, SCPD detectives can expect more structure, more discipline and enhanced professionalism, he added.
"Our mission is to prevent crime, solve crimes, do our very best to care for the victims of those crimes, and to provide the best possible service to the town of Silver City," he said.
Administrative Lieutenant Manuel "Manny" Jaure, 45, is a Silver City native, a graduate of Silver High, and he joined the SCPD in 2014 after graduating from WNMU's Police Academy in 2012.
"I became an officer because I'm very passionate about helping people, especially de-escalating high-stress situations, and talking people through challenges," he said. He also loves teaching, and works closely with another officer in the Grant County Sherriff's Department to teach officers throughout the county how to effectively engage with persons with mental health challenges. Lt. Jaure is also the local D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)instructor, as well as the New Mexico D.A.R.E. president.
"My goal is to promote transparency, accountability and collaboration through open communication and community-driven initiatives," he said. "I want to create opportunities for residents to have a voice in public safety decisions, build trust through consistent engagement, and ensure our policies and practices reflect the needs and values of the people we protect. Ultimately, I aim to foster a department culture that prioritizes service, respect and community partnership."
Captain Joseph Aguirre, 48, joined SCPD as a patrolman in 2009, was promoted to corporal in 2016, then sergeant in 2019. Also, a Silver City native, he was inspired to become a police officer as a result of a long family history of police service. His uncle, Steve Aguirre Jr., retired from SCPD as a captain. His grandfather, Steve Aguirre Sr., served as sheriff for three terms in the 1960s and 70s, and his father, Mike Aguirre Sr., also served as sheriff for five years in the 1970s.
"It's in my blood," said Capt. Aguirre, adding that his goal is to "work side-by-side with Chief Portillo, Lieutenant of Patrol Tim Tavizon, Lt. Jaure, and Capt. Carrillo to serve the town of Silver City."
In 2010 he was named Officer of the Year by Captain Terry Fortenberry. He is also a taser instructor and a defensive tactics instructor for all Grant County police agencies, as well as WNMU's Police Academy.
Capt. Aguirre said he will bring structure, fairness and discipline to the patrol division. "My goal is to be a strong role model for the entire patrol division, so that together we will continue to serve and protect the community to the best of our ability."
Now that the SCPD's command staff is in place, Chief Portillo said he is looking forward to hearing their ideas for implementing more of a community policing model, and is now focused on the next round of promotions for sergeants and other positions.
"I'm so proud of this new administrative team, and look forward to working with them to create stronger relationships with local residents as a result of placing a greater emphasis on community policing," he said. "As always, I welcome input from the community - my door is always open."
Chief Portillo can be reached at (575) 538-3723, ext. 1243. For more information about the Town of Silver City, please visit the town's website, www.townofsilvercity.org.
