Chief Ybarra was appointed and sworn in as Police Chief for the City of Nogales Police Department, Nogales, Arizona, July 19, 2007. Chief Ybarra commenced his law enforcement career in 1984 as a patrolman with the City of Nogales, Arizona. During Chief Ybarra’s tenure, he has served in many ranks and assignments including criminal investigations, patrol supervisor, special response team member and supervisor, anti-narcotics task supervisor and has also commanded several operational and administrative divisions including the rank of Lieutenant and Captain with the police department. Chief Ybarra served as the Nogales Police Department’s Assistant Chief from June 2001 to January 2007 when he was appointed Interim Police Chief.

Chief Ybarra is in the process of earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Criminal Justice through North Central University. He is a 1985 graduate of the Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy, Tucson, Arizona and a 2004 FBI National Academy graduate out of Quantico, Virginia. Chief Ybarra is a member of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Southern Arizona Border Law Enforcement Association and the Policia Internacional Sonora and Arizona Association.

Chief Ybarra’s community roles involve the Boys and Girls Club, Community Weed and Seed Committee, Learners for Life, Arizona Cross Border Communication Committee Chairperson, Santa Cruz County Metro Narcotics Task Force Border Member, Employee Benefit Trust Board Member, Korean Merchants Association Public Safety Mentor, and Parent.