SENATE BILL

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT; REQUIRING MEMBERS OF THE NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE TO BE THE HIGHEST-PAID LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE STATE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 29-2-9 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1941, Chapter 147, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:

     "29-2-9. PROBATIONARY PERIOD--LENGTH--PERMANENT COMMISSION--SALARY.--

          A. All new appointments as members of the New Mexico state police shall be for a probationary period of two years. During the probationary period, the new members may be removed or suspended at the discretion of the chief. At the end of two years of satisfactory service and upon recommendation of the chief and with concurrence of the secretary, the appointee may receive a permanent commission as a member of the New Mexico state police. However, the probationary period may be extended beyond a two-year period upon the recommendation of the chief with the concurrence of the secretary. This subsection shall not apply to officers who are certified and commissioned as of June 30, 2015 in the former motor transportation division or the former special investigations division. Members who are on probation on July 1, 2015 shall complete the probationary period under which they were hired.

          B. The salaries of all members of the New Mexico state police, probationary and permanent, and that of the chief shall be fixed by the secretary. The secretary shall annually review the salaries of the New Mexico state police and other law enforcement agencies in the state and shall adjust the salaries of the New Mexico state police, if necessary, to ensure that members of the New Mexico state police are the highest-paid law enforcement officers in the state."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of public safety for expenditure in fiscal year 2025 to study New Mexico state police salaries. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2025 shall revert to the general fund.

- 2 -