The bill amends existing qualifications for the appointment and certification of law enforcement officers in New Mexico. 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 new language is inserted into several sections of the New Mexico Statutes, specifically Section 29-1-9, Section 29-2-6, and Section 29-7-6, which govern the appointment of peace officers, qualifications for members of the New Mexico state police, and qualifications for certification, respectively.

In addition to the insertion of the work authorization requirement, the bill maintains existing qualifications such as age, educational background, moral character, and physical and mental fitness for law enforcement positions. The amendments aim to ensure that all appointed and certified law enforcement personnel meet the updated criteria, thereby enhancing the integrity and effectiveness of law enforcement in the state.

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