My Future Role
New Mexico State Police officers can work in several different programs throughout the course of their career. From patrol to one of our special programs and teams, there is a path that is right for each officer. Take some time to explore the various different programs offered to New Mexico State Police officers.
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Aircraft Section
Originating in 1958, this unique program provides high-quality airborne law enforcement services, allowing us to patrol and provide support from the air. Staffed by four full-time pilots, six full-time tactical flight officers, and one highly qualified FAA mechanic, this team can deploy statewide on short notice to respond to a variety of missions including, search and rescue, airborne patrol, tactical law enforcement operations, surveillance operations, border security missions, and other complex criminal investigations.
Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement
The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement team’s mission is to promote safety on New Mexico highways by providing law enforcement traffic services to ensure the safe and legal operation of commercial motor vehicles. They work hard to prevent the introduction of illicit contraband and reduce crashes involving commercial vehicles. They are responsible for enforcing the state’s Criminal Code, the Motor Transportation Act, The Motor Vehicle Code, and additional federal and state commercial motor vehicle safety regulations in order to facilitate legal trade on New Mexico’s roadways.
Crisis Response Team
The Crisis Response team helps bridge the gap between police officers and people suffering with mental illness who are going through a mental or emotional crisis. Consisting of eight negotiation team members, 25 intervention members, and one full time commander, this team functions statewide to help diffuse situations. In 2016, they added a full-time position to oversee and coordinate the Crisis Negotiation Team, as well as implement a Crisis Intervention Team, to further facilitate understanding and cooperation during crisis situations, including effectively and efficiently defusing tense emergency response situations to bring about a positive result for all parties.
Explosive Ordinance Disposal Squad
With expertise in disposal of explosives, this team’s primary responsibility is to respond to all hazardous incidents related to explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). They are on call to respond to any type of explosive ordnance, and often perform in a supportive role for other specialty teams and federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Governor’s Security Detail
This team is proud to provide security and protection for the Governor and their family. With a permanent office located at the Governor’s Mansion, this detail manages all aspects of security and protection. The Governor’s Security Agents are a subsection of this detail, who travel with the Governor at all times to provide protection and security.
Honor Guard
Created in 1984, the Honor Guard travels throughout the state, performing honor details for State Police and other government agencies, including service during funerals of commissioned officers, retired officers, and elected officials. Honor Guard also provides details at ceremonies where the posting of the state and national colors is needed, as well as service for visiting dignitaries and other official occasions.
Investigations Bureau
Conducting investigations as a New Mexico State Police officer covers a wide range of activities, including working to identify, arrest, prosecute, and convict offenders in New Mexico. NMSP also assists municipal, county, state, and federal agencies with their investigations of major criminal offenses in New Mexico. They investigate violent crimes, including homicide, criminal sexual penetration of adults and children, robbery, aggravated assault and/or battery, and narcotics. As part of these investigations, they also conduct forensic examinations of computers, cell phones, and other digital devices used in the commission of a crime.
K9 Team
The K-9 team works one on one with specially trained dogs to help investigate crimes, especially with drug-sniffing dogs in narcotics investigations. The first narcotic-detecting canines started working with New Mexico State Police in the 1970’s. The K-9 Team is a unique and effective tool in the war on illegal drugs, and these specially trained drug-sniffing dog units have been involved in some of the largest narcotic seizures in the history of the state.
Motorcycle Unit
The use of motorcycles in law enforcement here in New Mexico began in 1933, with the creation of the New Mexico Motor Patrol, a precursor to the New Mexico State Police. Since then, motorcycles have proven to be an essential tool in traffic enforcement and in responding quickly to calls in high traffic areas. Founded in 2002, the Motorcycle Unit is a key component of law enforcement throughout the state, and also in escorting visiting dignitaries, including President George W. Bush, The King of Spain, and the President of Mexico.
Patrol
The Uniform Bureau of the New Mexico State Police responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preventive patrol operations oriented toward the prevention of crimes and accidents, maintaining public order and the discovery of hazardous situations. Responding to calls for service to enforce state laws, investigation of traffic accidents and criminal offenses, response to requests for assistance by the public and other agencies as well as emergency situations as they arise. As well as working in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies and performing duties in a manner which inspires public confidence.
Search & Recovery Dive Team
Even though New Mexico is primarily known as a desert state, we have numerous bodies of recreational waters, along with thousands of miles of agricultural waterways and rivers. Dive Team Members are trained to handle any underwater or water-related crime scene, including processing of the scene and its documentation. Established in 1963, this team evolved from a small group of State Police Officers who volunteered to respond to these calls for service. Today, there is a greater emphasis on training, with most members possessing advanced Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI ratings of Rescue Diver, Master Diver, Divemaster, or higher). These team members respond to a variety of missions, including drownings, homicides, evidence recovery, vehicle recovers, and citizen requests for assistance with recovery of property.
Special Investigations Unit
The SIU takes on the ever important duty of enforcing the liquor control act (LCA) and the state’s Tobacco laws. They train servers and licensees on rules and regulations and conduct plain clothes operations within establishments who are licensed to sell alcohol. The SIU is tasked with preventing the sale of alcohol to intoxicated people, minor compliance (including tobacco), and shoulder tap and underage enforcement. They also investigate “bootlegging” (illegal selling of alcohol) and investigate DWI arrests with a .14 percent or higher and DWI fatalities.
Crash Reconstruction Unit
This unit, which has both full time and part time members, has specialized training that allows them to analyze and reconstruct serious traffic crashes that result in the potential for felony charges. They use specialized training and equipment to assist federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies with their crash investigations. Many members of this unit are qualified as experts in both state and federal court.
Tactical Team
Formed in the 1970’s, as a response to Vietnam war protests, the Tactical Team has evolved into a specialized force to meet the unique needs of today. This team is trained to respond to armed or barricaded subjects, hostage rescue, open field manhunts, and to assist with the serving of high risk warrants. They also provide protection for dignitaries, using Counter Assault Team tactics. They are trained in Hazardous Material Tactical Operations, in order to function in full SCBA tactical gear in chemically threatening environments, such as exposure to methamphetamine drug labs.
