McKinley County Sheriff Moves Into Expanded Gallup Headquarters

Construction was completed on December 11, 2025, for the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office building at 1000 E. Aztec Avenue in Gallup, and the department has started the process of relocating into the renovated facility. The move will proceed over several weeks as furniture and other operational items are delivered, temporarily concentrating logistical activity at the site.

The renovated building expands the department’s footprint from roughly 8,000 to 14,000 square feet and includes enhanced facilities for officers and a state of the art training room. Public materials included several photos of the renovated space, showing upgraded office areas and dedicated training capacity. The additional square footage is intended to support daily operations and the department’s training needs.

For residents, the tangible changes mean a potential increase in in county training for deputies, which can influence how officers engage with the community and apply departmental policy in the field. Expanded facilities may also enable more in house continuing education, scenario training, and administrative consolidation that could affect response planning. Because the sheriff’s office occupies a more centralized and larger footprint in Gallup, the location at 1000 E. Aztec Avenue will serve as a primary point for public contact and administrative business moving forward.

The expansion raises questions about ongoing operational costs, maintenance responsibilities, and the transparency of project spending. County officials will need to provide clear accounting of capital and operating budgets related to the renovation, and outline how the new space will translate into measurable improvements in public safety and service delivery. Residents should watch for updates on staffing plans, training schedules, and any changes to public access at the new site.

As the Sheriff’s Office completes its move, scrutiny of outcomes will be important for civic oversight. Community members and elected officials can engage by seeking briefings on how the expanded facility supports policy goals, tracking performance metrics related to response and training, and raising questions at county meetings to ensure the investment yields clear public benefits.