Arnaldo Mercado, Chief Law Enforcement Officer
Law Enforcement Services

As Director of the Law Enforcement Services Division Mr. Mercado serves as Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the Department under the Office of the Commissioner of Corrections. In his position, Mr. Mercado oversees and manages the Criminal Investigations, Intelligence, Canine (K-9), and Professional Standards bureaus. Mr. Mercado previously served the State of Alabama as a Senior Special Agent, and Homeland Security Mutual Aid Systems Coordinator and the ALERRT Active Shooter Program Coordinator for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), formerly the Alabama Department of Homeland Security. Director Mercado is also the Assistant Commander of the State of Alabama Homeland Security Tactical Search, Rescue and Recovery Dive Team comprised of State law enforcement officers from multiple agencies.

Before coming on board with the State of Alabama, Director Mercado worked at the Montgomery Police Department for 21 years before retiring as a Police Lieutenant and Commander of the Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Narcotics Bureaus of the Special Operations Division. Director Mercado has an extensive background in emergency management for law enforcement agencies, and criminal investigations specializing in major crimes. 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.