New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 10 - PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Chapter 29 - LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY
Part 5 - REGIONAL/SATELLITE POLICE OFFICER BASIC ACADEMIES
Section 10.29.5.9 - PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. An academy must undergo an accreditation process to ensure that the facilities, instructors, program management, and curriculum meet or exceed the standards and expectations established by the board and the director. Initial accreditation will involve a detailed review of all of the above. An academy will renew its accreditation every three (3) years. A renewal will automatically be processed by the department of public safety training and recruiting division, provided the academy has delivered at least three (3) basic training programs during the previous three (3) calendar years. In the event that an academy has not done so, it must complete the initial accreditation process prior to commencing another academy program. The director will publish a compliance manual for satellite academy accreditation.
B. All agencies and institutions requesting approval for each basic training program must notify the department of public safety training and recruiting division and supply the following information for review and approval prior to any such program's implementation:
C. For basic law enforcement and certification by waiver academies, comparable training facilities for the below listed proficiency areas must be available or contracted for by the requesting agency or instructor and inspected by the department of public safety training and recruiting division prior to approval.
D. Upon receipt of this information, a thorough evaluation will be made and notification sent to the agency or institution advising the decision of the department of public safety training and recruiting division. In the event that the program is not approved, notification and recommendations will be sent advising the agency or institution of the program deficiencies. Once these deficiencies have been corrected, the program will again be examined and notification will be sent as to final disposition.
E. Once approval is granted, the agency or institution can conduct the program with the assurance that the program is comparable to or exceeds the minimum standards of training as established by the New Mexico law enforcement academy board. Any deviation from the previously approved program must be submitted to the department of public safety training and recruiting division for review and approval pending final certification of the program conducted.
F. Within two (2) weeks of the satellite academy start date, all fitness assessment scores, psychological testing reports and medical examination reports shall be received by the department of public safety training and recruiting division.
G. A minimum of ten (10) students must be identified prior to commencing an academy program. A hardship waiver must be applied for and approved by the director if fewer than ten (10) students are identified. There is no maximum amount of students. However, an appropriate instructor to student ratio must be maintained. This is especially important in the critical skill areas of physical fitness, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, and situational training exercises. The certification of students completing an academy program is important. A low certification percentage, as determined by the board, will be grounds for non-renewal of academy accreditation. Students will be allowed two (2) opportunities to pass the certification exam.
H. The board will establish minimum guidelines for instructor and student conduct.
I. The board will determine which academies are authorized to conduct basic law enforcement training, certification by waiver of previous training, and radio dispatcher training programs. The type of student i.e.; pre-service, local law enforcement, or state law enforcement; allowed to attend a satellite academy program must be approved by the board.