Arnaldo Mercado, Chief Law Enforcement Officer
Law Enforcement Services

As Director of the ADOC Law Enforcement Services Division, Arnaldo Mercado serves as Chief Law Enforcement Officer. He manages and oversees the Criminal Investigations, Intelligence, K9, and Security Threat Group Bureaus, as well as agents assigned to several state and federal task forces.

Mercado previously served the State of Alabama as a Senior Special Agent for the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, which later became the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. In this role, he served as the State’s Homeland Security Mutual Aid Systems Coordinator, ALERRT Active Shooter Program Coordinator, and Commander of the State of Alabama Homeland Security Tactical Search, Rescue, and Recovery Dive Team, which supported other state and local agencies.

Before starting with the state, Mercado worked at the Montgomery Police Department for 21 years, where he retired as a Police Lieutenant and Commander of the Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Narcotics Bureaus in the Special Operations Division. He was also a Senior Hostage Negotiator with the SWAT team and a translator for the department.

Mercado has an extensive background with over 30 years of law enforcement experience including criminal investigations specializing in major crimes and narcotics, as well as vast experience in emergency management for law enforcement agencies. He is a graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety and a Master of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.