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SENATE BILL 321
57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2025
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
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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 2026
to study New Mexico state police salaries. Any unexpended or
unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026
shall revert to the general fund.
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