Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
The law enforcement academy awards advanced certification
credit for approved training beyond the basic level. An applicant must submit a
completed application packet containing copies of all training certificates and
other supporting documentation. Applications should be submitted only after the
required number of hours have been accrued. Individual certificates will not be
processed if they are not attached to an application for a specific level of
certification. Advanced certifications are ranked from intermediate to
executive and are only awarded if criteria for the previous level(s) of
certification have been met.
A.
Certification fee: A fee not to exceed one hundred and fifty
dollars ($150.00) may be assessed for processing an application. Payment can be
made in the form of an agency check, purchase order, or money order. Payment
must accompany the application. As published in the New Mexico law enforcement
academy director's fee schedule, these fees are subject to change. For the
current applicable fee schedule, please refer to the New Mexico law enforcement
academy or academy website.
B.
Advance certification criteria and guidelines:
(1)
Intermediate (minimum of 200
cumulative hours required): two years' experience, non-probationary status at
time of application, and 200 cumulative hours of advanced police training
(beyond basic and maintenance training).
(2)
Advanced (minimum of 400
cumulative hours required): four years' experience, non-probationary status at
time of application, and 400 cumulative hours of advanced police training or
formal education (beyond basic and maintenance training) approved by the
director.
(3)
First-line
supervisor (minimum of 500 cumulative hours required): must have held
rank of corporal or sergeant with one year in rank and completion of a law
enforcement academy approved first-line supervisor course (40 hours
minimum).
(4)
Command
(minimum of 700 cumulative hours required): must have held rank of lieutenant
with one year in rank and 100 hours of management training or formal education
approved by the director.
(5)
Executive (minimum of 800 cumulative hours required): must have
held rank of chief, assistant chief, sheriff, under-sheriff, director or deputy
director with one year in rank: or
(a) majors
and captains who report directly to department head and have one year in rank;
and
(b) 200 cumulative hours of
management or administrative training or formal education approved by the
director.
C.
Criteria for cumulative credit calculations:
(1)
Certificate criteria: The
law enforcement academy will accept certificates of completion for credit
toward an advanced certificate.
(2)
College course credit: College courses will receive the credit
ratio of 15 advanced certification hours for each credit hour up to a maximum
of 400 advanced hours. College course credits apply only to advanced level
certification and above. Official copies of college transcripts are required.
Credit hours may be given only for college courses that are law enforcement
related.
(3)
Military course
credit: Military advanced level courses related to law enforcement and
approved by the director can be used for credit towards advanced level
certification and above at an hourly ratio of one-to-one. Training hours and
dates must be noted on the training certificate for credit or on an official
training transcript.
(4)
In-service training: Law enforcement academy approved in-service
training will be accepted based upon the approved course hours. Mandated
training required to maintain police officer certification or instructor
certification will not be credited towards advanced certifications. In-service
training will be accepted only upon providing evidence that a test was
administered and passed, or a certificate of completion was issued.
(5)
Rank requirements:
Certificates at the first-line supervisor level and above require that the
pre-requisite rank or title was held for a minimum period of at least one year
prior to the date of the application. Documentation indicating date(s) of
promotion must be included with the application packet. Non-traditional rank
designations will be reviewed for equivalency to ranks designated for
applicable certificates.
(6)
Out-of-state certificates: Only course certificates clearly
indicating the hours and dates of training received will be accepted.
