The Transition From State’s Top Cop To Local Business Owner

Pete Kassetas has a decades-long career in law enforcement, but for a little more than five years, he was one of the most visible people in New Mexico criminal justice. The former Chief led New Mexico State Police from 2013 to 2018 and along the way, he had a voice in some of the state's biggest news stories.

In a rare and candid sit-down with Chris and Gabby, Kassetas shares stories behind his ups and downs in law enforcement, and what it was like to be the face of New Mexico’s largest police agency. He also shares what he's up to now as part of the ownership team behind Downshift Brewing Company, an Old Town Albuquerque brewery taphouse that's become a central part of revitalization efforts in the area. Now on the other side of dealing with crime, the former lawman also offers his perspective on what it’s like owning a business in Albuquerque. 

Why did he shift from being a cop to a brew boss? Has his view on handling crime changed? Those topics and many more are discussed in this week's extended episode. Here are a few of the biggest news stories Kassetas spoke of, or was a part of over the years, as mentioned in this week's episode:

• November 2013 - Taos minivan shooting
• December 2013 - Taos protestors meet Chief Kassetas
• January 2014 - Roswell school shooting investigation
• June 2016 - State Police Chief responds to officers ignoring DWI investigation of DA
• June 2017 - State Police Chief asks Forrest Fenn to call off treasure hunt
• June 2017 - Reaction to Forrest Fenn treasure hunt comments
• December 2017 - Aztec High School shooting news conference
• May 2019 - $1.7 million paid in confidential state settlements

Give us a shout! Email us at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts.