SANTA FE New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham proudly announced the historic graduation of the largest class of law enforcement officers in the state. A total of 61 police cadets, representing 30 city, county, tribal, university, and state agencies, received their New Mexico police officer’s certification in a ceremony where they were administered the oath of office. This significant event marks their transition from ordinary citizens to certified law enforcement officers.
In attendance were Gov. Lujan Grisham and other officials who warmly welcomed the new officers into a broader family of approximately 6,000 certified New Mexico police officers. The governor emphasized the crucial role law enforcement plays in communities and highlighted the positive impact this record-breaking class will have on public safety across the state.
"The role that law enforcement plays in our communities cannot be understated, and graduating the largest class in state history will positively impact public safety across New Mexico,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “This also demonstrates to me the efficacy of any number of programs, funding, and initiatives the state is providing to law enforcement, including to recruit and retain additional officers.”
The intensive 17-week curriculum encompassed various essential aspects of policing, including constitutional policing, de-escalation of force, crisis resolution, dealing with the mentally ill, conflict management, identifying human trafficking, ethics, cultural diversity, officer survival, bomb recognition, gangs and terrorism, and community policing.
The success of this achievement was attributed to the investments made by the administration in training and recruitment in law enforcement programs and infrastructure, as stated by Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason R. Bowie. He wished the newly graduated officers success as they embark on their careers in law enforcement.
Sonya K. Chavez, director of the Law Enforcement Academy, expressed her optimism about the impact of Class 206, stating, “These brave women and men bring great hope to our communities with one job in mind: keeping New Mexico safe. Today marks a new level of achievement for law enforcement recruiting and training in New Mexico. This class represents our progress as a law enforcement community and sets a new standard for bringing forward the best law enforcement officers to serve our communities throughout our state.”
Several cadets were recognized for their outstanding achievements in skills and academics, including Jeremy Graves (Otero County Sheriff’s Office) for top driver, Zane Reynolds (Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office) for top shooter, Savanna Lopez (Albuquerque Public Schools Police Department) for the fitness milestone award, Joshua Thomas (Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office) for fitness excellence, and Adolfo Olivas (Luna County Sheriff’s Office) for academic achievement. Olivas was also named the Class 206 Valedictorian.
Throughout Fiscal Year 2023, the Santa Fe-based academy has graduated 118 certified police officers and 85 police telecommunicators (dispatchers).
In attendance were Gov. Lujan Grisham and other officials who warmly welcomed the new officers into a broader family of approximately 6,000 certified New Mexico police officers. The governor emphasized the crucial role law enforcement plays in communities and highlighted the positive impact this record-breaking class will have on public safety across the state.
"The role that law enforcement plays in our communities cannot be understated, and graduating the largest class in state history will positively impact public safety across New Mexico,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “This also demonstrates to me the efficacy of any number of programs, funding, and initiatives the state is providing to law enforcement, including to recruit and retain additional officers.”
The intensive 17-week curriculum encompassed various essential aspects of policing, including constitutional policing, de-escalation of force, crisis resolution, dealing with the mentally ill, conflict management, identifying human trafficking, ethics, cultural diversity, officer survival, bomb recognition, gangs and terrorism, and community policing.
The success of this achievement was attributed to the investments made by the administration in training and recruitment in law enforcement programs and infrastructure, as stated by Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason R. Bowie. He wished the newly graduated officers success as they embark on their careers in law enforcement.
Sonya K. Chavez, director of the Law Enforcement Academy, expressed her optimism about the impact of Class 206, stating, “These brave women and men bring great hope to our communities with one job in mind: keeping New Mexico safe. Today marks a new level of achievement for law enforcement recruiting and training in New Mexico. This class represents our progress as a law enforcement community and sets a new standard for bringing forward the best law enforcement officers to serve our communities throughout our state.”
Several cadets were recognized for their outstanding achievements in skills and academics, including Jeremy Graves (Otero County Sheriff’s Office) for top driver, Zane Reynolds (Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office) for top shooter, Savanna Lopez (Albuquerque Public Schools Police Department) for the fitness milestone award, Joshua Thomas (Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office) for fitness excellence, and Adolfo Olivas (Luna County Sheriff’s Office) for academic achievement. Olivas was also named the Class 206 Valedictorian.
Throughout Fiscal Year 2023, the Santa Fe-based academy has graduated 118 certified police officers and 85 police telecommunicators (dispatchers).