The bill amends existing New Mexico law regarding the qualifications for the appointment and certification of law enforcement officers. It introduces a requirement that individuals must either be citizens of the United States or have authorization to work from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This change is reflected in multiple sections, including Section 29-1-9, which outlines the appointment of peace officers, and Section 29-2-6, which details the qualifications for members of the New Mexico state police.

Additionally, Section 29-7-6 is amended to include the same requirement for applicants seeking certification as police officers. The bill maintains other existing qualifications, such as age, educational background, and moral character, while emphasizing the importance of legal work authorization in the law enforcement hiring process. Overall, the bill aims to ensure that all law enforcement personnel in New Mexico are either U.S. citizens or legally authorized to work in the country.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 29-1-9, 29-2-6, 29-7-6
Final Version: 29-1-9, 29-2-6, 29-7-6