HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 20

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Patricio Ruiloba and Gerald Ortiz y Pino

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF AND FUNDING FOR A STATEWIDE TRAINING FACILITY AND TO IDENTIFY METHODS TO PROVIDE TRAINING, EVALUATION AND INFORMATIONAL SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS RESPONDING TO CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING TACTICAL RESPONSES.

     WHEREAS, incidents of excessive or deadly force by law enforcement officers in New Mexico have caught national attention and have caused great concern among residents of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, it is important for law enforcement agencies throughout New Mexico to provide protection to the residents of the state, while avoiding the use of unnecessary force whenever possible; and

     WHEREAS, the use of excessive or deadly force by police officers in New Mexico has resulted in protests by New Mexico residents; and

     WHEREAS, there are particular concerns about the use of excessive force against individuals who are homeless, who live in poverty or who suffer from mental illness; and

     WHEREAS, incidents of excessive or deadly force by law enforcement officers in New Mexico have raised questions about whether they are engaging in practices consistent with the trust placed in them by the residents of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, in 2014, as the result of a comprehensive investigation, the United States department of justice found that in Albuquerque, a "pattern and practice of excessive force, including deadly force" is the result of "serious systemic deficiencies in policy, training, supervision and accountability"; and

     WHEREAS, tactical response training facilities for law enforcement and correctional officers in New Mexico are lacking; and

     WHEREAS, a consistent approach to training, evaluating and educating law enforcement and correctional officers statewide would improve their tactical responses in dangerous conditions; and

     WHEREAS, the establishment of a permanent tactical response training facility in New Mexico would provide necessary education, technology and infrastructure for law enforcement and correctional officers who are members of tactical response teams;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of public safety be requested to convene a task force composed of three chiefs of police; two front-line law enforcement officers; the director of the New Mexico law enforcement academy; the secretary of corrections; and members of community organizations, including mental health professionals and advocates for the homeless and for others living in poverty; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to study the feasibility of the design, construction and operation of a statewide training facility for law enforcement and correctional officers who are members of tactical response teams; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to identify possible sources of funding for the statewide training facility, including federal and state funding sources; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to identify methods to create courses for law enforcement and correctional officers involved in circumstances requiring tactical responses, including courses involving standardized uses of firearms and qualifications for firearms; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to identify methods to standardize training programs, such as basic response training, training for responses to active shootings, annual training and other training required for certification; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to identify methods to standardize the evaluation process for law enforcement and correctional officers on tactical response teams and their instructors; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to identify service providers, other than law enforcement and corrections personnel, who may provide education to law enforcement and correctional officers with respect to pertinent issues involving mental health, homelessness, poverty, drug addiction, domestic violence, veterans' affairs, posttraumatic stress disorder and community policing; and 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to identify certified mental health professionals to partner with law enforcement and correctional officers by providing informational support during tactical response call outs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force identify methods to standardize the collection of post-incident information and other data to improve future tactical responses by law enforcement and correctional officers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of public safety be requested to report the findings and recommendations of the task force to the appropriate legislative interim committee by December 1, 2015; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of public safety.

- 5 -