22-02-2025
Cox appoints former Moab police chief as head of Utah Dept. of Corrections
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has appointed former Moab police chief Jared Garcia as the new executive director of the Utah Dept. of Corrections (UDC), according to a press release from the governor's office on Friday.
Pending approval by the Utah State Senate, Garcia — who is currently the UDC's deputy executive director — will succeed Brian Redd to head the agency. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall recently selected Redd to be the new Salt Lake City chief of police.
Garcia reportedly has over 22 years of experience in law enforcement and public safety, serving as the UDC's deputy executive director since Oct. 2023. He oversaw prison operations, Adult Probation and Parole, as well as law enforcement efforts, training, and professional standards.
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In heading the UDC, Garcia will oversee all departmental operations at its two prisons, six community correctional centers, and five Adult Probation and Parole Districts. The UDC employs around 2,300 correctional professionals, including nearly 1,800 certified officers, and is responsible for supervising around 23,000 incarcerated individuals.
'Jared Garcia is a dedicated public servant with a deep understanding of the responsibilities within our corrections system,' said Gov. Cox. 'He has spent his career strengthening public safety, fostering collaboration and building programs that improve both accountability and rehabilitation. I am confident that under his leadership, the Department of Corrections will continue to advance its mission to protect communities and improve lives.'
Garcia is a Utah native with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia College and a graduate degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego. He also graduated the FBI Executive Command College.
Garcia has been involved in victim advocacy and school safety, as well as efforts to address crime, mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness. He has reportedly been nationally recognized, being named a '40 Under 40' recipient by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and receiving the Utah Department of Public Safety Medal of Excellence.
'Our focus is not just on incarceration; it's about creating opportunities for people to rebuild their lives,' Garcia said. 'I look forward to continuing our work alongside the exceptional team at UDC to strengthen public safety and ensure that we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we are committed to working together, transforming lives and protecting communities.'
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