Edinburg, TX (KRGV) — The city of Edinburg named Lt. Orlando Garcia interim chief of police to succeed Chief Jaime Ayala after his retirement, according to a Tuesday news release.

Garcia will take over on Oct. 31, 2026. Ayala retires on Oct. 30, 2026.

Born and raised in Edinburg, Garcia returned to his hometown in January 2001 to start his career with the Edinburg Police Department. He has more than 25 years of law enforcement, leadership, and public service experience, the release stated.

"Lt. Garcia’s roots in Edinburg, decades of service, and proven command experience make him the right leader for our police department during this transition. We thank Chief Ayala for his service to our community and wish him well in his retirement," Mayor Omar Ochoa said in a statement. “The city council and I have full confidence that Interim Chief Garcia will protect our city and uphold the high standards our citizens expect.”

Garcia became a sergeant in 2009, earned his Master Peace Officer Certification in 2012, and became a lieutenant in 2016. He most recently served in the department's Internal Affairs Division under Ayala after working in command and supervisory roles in the Uniformed Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division.

Edinburg hired Strategic Government Resources, an executive search firm based in Texas, to select a permanent chief of police. The city said it used a similar competitive search when it appointed Ayala.

The city expects the nationwide search to conclude in approximately 90 days.