In-service Training
New Mexico Law Enforcement In-Service Requirements
In-service law enforcement training consists of at least forty (40) hours of academic instruction, approved by the council, for each certified police officer during each twenty-four-month period of employment or service. The first training course shall commence no later than twelve months after graduation from an approved basic law enforcement training program.
In-service telecommunicator training consists of at least twenty (20) hours of board-approved advanced training, including one hour of crisis management, including crisis intervention, confrontation de-escalation practicum and proper interaction with persons with mental impairments training, for each certified telecommunicator during each two-year period. The first training course shall commence no later than twelve months after graduation from a board-approved basic telecommunicator training program.
2026-2027 Reporting Requirements
All certified individuals shall provide proof of completing in-service law enforcement training requirements to the Director no later than March 1st of the year in which the requirements must be met.
Individuals obtaining certification within an even numbered year will be required to obtain one-half of the in-service training requirements. Individuals obtaining certification within an odd numbered year will be required to meet the next two-year in-service training requirement which will go into effect on January 1 of the succeeding even numbered year. The in-service training requirements are applicable in subsequent two-year cycles (one even number year and the subsequent odd numbered year constitutes a two-year cycle). Individuals transferring from one agency to another will carry with them the responsibility for in-service training.
Reporting Forms
In-service training reporting is due quarterly as required by §29-7-7.2 NMSA 1978. Agencies shall use approved NMLEAB forms for reporting purposes. Current approved reporting forms to report mandatory in-service training required by §10.29.7.8 NMAC and §10.29.7.9 NMAC, are:
**These forms can be found on the Forms and Documents page and MUST be mailed to the NMLEA at the address listed on the top of the form NO LATER THAN March 1 of each reporting year (2026 is due 03/01/2027; and 2027 is due 03/01/2028).**
Changes to 2024-2025 Biennium Requirements
Effective January 1, 2024, the new statutory requirements of §29-7-4.4 NMSA 1978 and §29-7C-4.1 NMSA 1978 have been incorporated into the compliance reporting cycle. These topics are ANNUAL requirements, and will need to be taken once during the 2026 calendar year and once during the 2027 calendar year.
The NMLEA has broken-down the requirements in the following visualization tables to help understand the quantity and frequency of each specified required topic listed in the Law Enforcement Training Act (§29-7-et. al NMSA 1978).
Police Officer Requirements
Please note that due to the minimum total hours for all statute specified annual and biennial topics exceeding 40 hours, “Remaining training hours shall be in maintenance or advanced areas to meet the agencies specific needs” as described in §10.29.7.8, Paragraph A, Subparagraph (12) NMAC, is no longer necessary to fulfill the requirement, “In-service law enforcement training consists of a minimum of forty hours of academic instruction approved by the council for each certified police officer during each twenty-four month period of employment or service with a state or local law enforcement agency…” as prescribed by §29-7-7.1 NMSA 1978 for law enforcement officers.
*In-Person denotes that the course MUST be taken in-person due to a component of the requirement for scenarios or practical application. Online courses will NOT count for these topics.[/caption]
Public Safety Telecommunicator Requirements
Please note that Public Safety Telecommunicators must still fulfill a minimum of 4 “Remaining training hours shall be in maintenance or advanced training areas to meet the agency’s specific needs and abilities of the telecommunicator” as described in §10.29.7.9, Paragraph A, Subparagraph (2) NMAC, by seeking NM Law Enforcement Certification Board-approved accredited courses pursuant to §29-7C-7 NMSA 1978.
*In-Person denotes that the course MUST be taken in-person due to a component of the requirement for scenarios or practical application. Online courses will NOT count for these topics.
New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board and Council Accredited In-Service Curriculum
The following training documents are provided for agencies to use to provide the required in-service training courses mandated by NM State Statute and/or NMLEA Board Rules. Each course has an accompanying NMLEAB Accreditation number.
The following courses are developed to be taught in-person (except Use of Force) and cannot be taught virtually at this time. These courses can only be taught by certified instructors with topic-specific instructor credentials:
- Handling a Crisis (general AND mental health instructor credentials required)
- Interactions with Persons with Mental Impairments
- Firearms
- Use of Force (not in-person, but specific instructor credential)
- Tourniquet & Trauma Kit
Agencies or vendors may develop and submit their own curriculum for accreditation utilizing NMLEAB form LEAB-86. Attendance must be documented within 30-days of course date, using NMLEAB form LEAB-86b or by submission approval through the Acadis® Portal.