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MOAB — The Moab Police Department announced Monday that it has hired Utah Highway Patrol Capt. Jared Garcia as the new chief of police, replacing former Chief Bret Edge, who was serving as chief in a "transitional role."
"Captain Garcia is a seasoned law enforcement leader with wide-ranging investigative and administrative experience," Moab City Acting City Manager Carly Castle said in a press release. "We're excited that he has agreed to head the Moab Police Department. His commitment to improving officer morale and training, and to building strong relationships within the community are exactly what we need as we look to the future."
During his career in law enforcement, Garcia has served in many roles including overseeing the Utah Department of Public Safety's Victim Services program, the Youth Narcotics Task Force, the Narcotics and Violent Crime Unit and as a captain in charge of the State Bureau of Investigation, according to a press release from Castle.
The release also noted that Garcia oversaw a multi-agency collaboration focused on reducing crime in the Rio Grande neighborhood of Salt Lake City and providing outreach to homeless persons in the area.
"I am incredibly grateful, and humbled by the opportunity to lead the Moab Police Department," Garcia said in a statement. "My family and I are very excited to join the community and make Moab our new home. I believe the future is very bright. I am looking forward to working side by side with our officers as we seek opportunities to positively engage the community and provide exceptional public safety services to all people in Moab."
Garcia will assume the role of police chief on May 9.
