Assistant Chief
Assistant Chief Kate Steiner is a dedicated law enforcement professional from Pecos, Texas, with a strong commitment to public safety, education, and professional development. She graduated from Pecos High School in 2017, where she was inducted into the National Honor Society. Following high school, she attended Odessa College to complete her core coursework before transferring to Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, in 2018. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Sul Ross State University.
In 2020, Assistant Chief Steiner furthered her commitment to law enforcement by attending the H. Joaquin Jackson Police Academy, where she obtained her Texas Peace Officer License. She began her law enforcement career with the Sul Ross State University Police Department in 2021. While working in law enforcement, she continued her education and earned a master’s degree in Homeland Security, expanding her knowledge and expertise in public safety, emergency management, and national security.
In 2023, Assistant Chief Steiner broadened her professional experience by serving as an executive assistant for an oilfield company in Pecos, Texas, while also serving as a sworn reserve officer with the Alpine Police Department. Her dedication to law enforcement ultimately brought her back to the Sul Ross State University Police Department, where she continued advancing her career and was promoted to Assistant Chief.
Assistant Chief Steiner currently holds an Advanced Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Peace Officer License and serves in both operational and administrative leadership capacities within the Sul Ross State University Police Department. She is also a Field Training Officer (FTO) and maintains various professional certifications that support her responsibilities in law enforcement, training, and leadership.
Beyond her duties in law enforcement, Assistant Chief Steiner is passionate about education and professional development. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at Sul Ross State University, teaching courses including Introduction to Homeland Security, Introduction to Criminal Justice, and Basic Skills of Criminal Justice. Through teaching, she enjoys sharing her professional experience and knowledge with students pursuing careers in criminal justice and public safety.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Assistant Chief Steiner enjoys spending time with her family and participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping. She also has a passion for photography, particularly capturing meaningful moments, people, and the beauty of the West Texas landscape.
Communications Coordinator/ Office Manager
Desiree Pena Baeza was born and raised in Alpine Tx. She graduated from Sul Ross State University in 2012 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Ms. Baeza joined the University Police Department in November of 2021 and has enjoyed working in this department.
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