HOUSE MEMORIAL 13

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Andrea Romero

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS THE CREATION OF A SATELLITE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING CENTER IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, highly skilled and trained law enforcement officers and first responders contribute to the overall public safety in the state; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico law enforcement academy is located in Santa Fe and provides basic training in cultural and technical competency to rookie officers, and the homeland security and emergency management department provides first responder training; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico law enforcement academy has nine satellite academies throughout the state that provide additional training to law enforcement officers; and

     WHEREAS, communities in northern New Mexico have a need for law enforcement officers and first responders who are provided with evidence-based training that reflects the socioeconomic, demographic and racial composition of the communities they serve; and

     WHEREAS, the lack of training opportunities in northern New Mexico is an impediment to providing comprehensive training to law enforcement officers and first responders in the northern part of the state; and

     WHEREAS, the lack of training opportunities for law enforcement officers and first responders in northern New Mexico contributes to a shortage of local law enforcement officers and first responders; and

     WHEREAS, there is a need for joint training, strategy and collaboration among all first responders, mental and behavioral health responders and others that provide for New Mexico communities in emergency situations;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of public safety be requested to convene a working group of representatives from the department of public safety, the homeland security and emergency management department, the New Mexico law enforcement academy, local law enforcement and first responder agencies and local higher education institutions to discuss the creation of a satellite law enforcement and first responder training center in northern New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be requested to make a report of its findings and recommendations to the appropriate legislative interim committee that studies issues pertaining to courts, corrections and justice; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public safety and the chair of the appropriate legislative interim committee that studies issues pertaining to courts, corrections and justice.

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