Jose Ruiz is the mayor's choice to serve as Kimball police chief. Ruiz is familiar to the department and to the community as he served as a Corporal in the KPD from October of 2020 to September of 2022.

According to his resume, Ruiz came to Kimball after a 14 year run as a peace officer with the Cheyenne Police Department. Ruiz supervised other officers and established good relationships with other agencies as well as the public. He was able to complete reciprocity with above average academy exam scores during his time with the KPD.

It was September of 2022 when Ruiz accepted his current position as a peace officer in Imperial, Nebraska. There he headed up a program to introduce a pepper ball system, he was an instructor and armorer. Ruiz was also approved to attend a course in hopes of becoming a ground fighting instructor, though it is unclear if he attended the course.

While no college degree is listed on his resume, Ruiz attended the Briar Cliff University College in Criminal Justice in Sioux City, Iowa for one year and the Colorado State University-Pueblo College in Criminal Forensics for one year.

Ruiz chances of becoming chief are pinned to a vote of the city council during a special session on Wednesday, May 24th at 4:30pm.