Los Alamos Police Department Cmdr. Daniel Roberts, center, is congratulated by Chief Dino Sgambellone, right, and Deputy Chief Oliver Morris Thursday following his swearing in ceremony. Photo by Maire O’Neill/loslamosreporter.com
Cmdr. Daniel Roberts poses with his wife Kim, Thursday, and from left, sister Tricia McCulloch and her husband Quinn, parents Jeff and Laurel Roberts following his swearing in by Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat Casados. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Kim Roberts and Los Alamos native and newly-sworn Los Alamos Police Department Cmdr. Daniel Roberts Thursday afternoon in Los Alamos Magistrate Court. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter
Daniel Roberts has been with the Los Alamos Police Department since 2010 and on Friday, after spending eight years as a sergeant, he was sworn in as the Department’s newest Commander by Los Alamos Magistrate Judge Pat Casados. In addition to LAPD personnel, Cmdr. Roberts was joined by his wife, Kim, his parents Jeff and Laurel Roberts, sister Tricia McCulloch and her husband Quinn, and friends.
Roberts’ career actually began when he joined the U.S. Army in 2003 as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter mechanic. Between his time with the U.S. Army and the National Guard he has served 19 years in the military and continues to serve with the rank of Major as the commanding officer of the 1209th Medical Company Area Support. The 1209th MCAS is a deployable hospital with 84 providers, medics and soldiers.
What most people don’t know is that in 2011 when a deep freeze plunged the state into subzero temperatures for several days leaving an estimated 32,000 homes and businesses without natural gas, Roberts was in charge of National Guard emergency operations in the Espanola Valley. He coordinated and supervised 386 soldiers, more than 80 police officers and some 150 gas technicians during that endeavor.
During the last couple of years, his National Guard activities have included supervising about 2,400 hours annually of health events such as medical services for the presidential inauguration, hurricanes in Puerto Rico and local events throughout New Mexico and Colorado.
While in the U.S. Army, Roberts spent two back to back tours in South Korea. During that time he became a Blackhawk helicopter crew chief and flight instructor.
Roberts, like most LAPD officers, began police career on patrol and then became a detective. For the last eight years he has been LAPD’s Professional Standards Sergeant. He has developed a unique understanding of every department policy and procedure having been the Accreditation Manager when LAPD achieved its initial CALEA national accreditation and has helped LAPD pass five CALEA inspections with 100 percent compliance.
Roberts started LAPD’s hostage negotiations team in 2014 when he achieved international certified negotiator. He also started the active shooter program with Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2015. Roberts and Sgt. Chris Ross are familiar faces in local schools, UNM-LA and elsewhere where they have been heavily involved with active shooter training. He graduated from the Northwestern Police Staff and Command College in 2018. He has served as the treasurer of the Los Alamos Public Safety Association for three years.
Roberts holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of New Mexico, a master’s in Criminal Justice from the American Justice from the American Military University, and completed a second master’s in Public Administration Management in 2021. He is also a U.S. Army Command and General Staff College graduate and he is currently in the Advanced Operations 54-week course which credentials officers to serve on the staff of generals and lead battalions and brigades in joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational environments.
Cmdr. Daniel Roberts signs his oath of office Thursday in Los Alamos Magistrate before Magistrate Judge Pat Casados. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Kim Roberts pins the commander pin on her husband, LAPD Cmdr. Daniel Roberts. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com