Deputy Director of Training Gabe Ortiz, right, watches as law enforcement cadets line up shortly after arriving at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Members from 205th NMLEA class run down the hallways of their dormitory to start the first day of training at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Roswell Police Officers Matthew Bustamante, left, and Roberto Cardiel secure their service weapons before the start of training at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Interim Director and Deputy Chief of Training Benjamin Baker, at center, inspects law enforcement cadets from class No. 205 shortly after their arrival at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. On Sunday, 64 individuals from 24 New Mexico law enforcement agencies arrived at the academy to began their 17-week training session. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Deputy of Training Gabe Ortiz, left briefs members of class No. 205 prior to the start of training at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Members of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy class 205 rush down the stairs of their dormitory to begin their first day of training shortly after arriving at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023 . (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Law enforcement cadets from class 205 stand in formation shortly after arriving at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Interim Director and Deputy Chief of Training Benjamin Baker, left, inspects members of the 205th NMLEA class shortly after their arrival at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
A members of cadet class No. 205 holds his service weapon at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. 64 law enforcement cadets from 24 New Mexico agencies began their 17-week training on Sunday. Cadet class No. 205 is shaping up to be largest class in New Mexico history. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Deputy Director of Training Gabe Ortiz, right, gives instructions to law enforcement cadets at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Instructor Cassandra Reed, at left, works with Alamogordo Police Officer Estrella Brown as she demonstrates the proper posture to members of class No. 205 at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Interim Director and Deputy Chief of Training Benjamin Baker, left, inspects cadets from NMLEA Sunday in Santa Fe. The newly arrived 205th NMLEA class will be certified after a 17-week training. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)
Members of 205th NMLEA class carry their personal belongings as they head to their dorm rooms shortly after arriving at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Instructor Cassandra Reed, left, works with Alamogordo Police Officer Estrella Brown as she demonstrates the proper posture to members of class No. 205 at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Alamogordo Police Officers David Handy, left and Gavin Johnson carry their personal to begin their law enforcement certification training at the at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Prev
Next
Dozens of budding police officers took the first step in their careers on Sunday.
The 205th New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy class was seated, with 64 prospective officers beginning their training. The class is shaping up to be the largest in years. They will face a 17-week academy that includes 727 hours of practical and physical training, according to a news release from the Department of Public Safety. If they complete the course, the officers will be assigned to 24 law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
A list of what agencies the potential officers will work for wasn’t available on Sunday.
The class is seated at a time when law enforcement agencies throughout the state are trying to grow their ranks. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last year twice wrote federal authorities, including Attorney General Merrick Garland, asking for more FBI agents to be dispatched to the state because local agencies are struggling to hire and retain officers.
New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Interim Director and Deputy Chief of Training Benjamin Baker, left, inspects cadets Sunday in Santa Fe. The newly arrived 205th NMLEA class will be certified after a 17-week training. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)
“With no exceptions, these cadets will receive the highest caliber of training,” Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie said in a statement. “These are the first steps in a noble career. This instruction will ensure these cadets have the knowledge, training, background, principles, and expectations of being a certified law enforcement officer in the state of New Mexico.”
Sign up for our free Daily Headlines newsletter
DPS Deputy Secretary and Interim Law Enforcement Academy Director Benjamin Baker said the size of the class was impressive.
The classes typically have about 40 students and the 205th class will be the biggest one in years. There were 58 graduates in a 2017 class, said Herman Lovato, a DPS spokesman.
Last year, the Santa Fe-based academy certified just over 400 officers.
“We are invigorated by the robust class size,” Baker said in a statement. “This is a strong and positive reflection on statewide law enforcement recruitment efforts. We are enthusiastic about the positive changes and increased public safety delivery to New Mexico communities.”
Home » ABQnews Seeker » Largest police cadet class in years seated in Santa Fe
Insert Question Legislature form in Legis only stories
Albuquerque Journal and its reporters are committed to telling the stories of our community.
• Do you have a question you want someone to try to answer for you? Do you have a bright spot you want to share?
We want to hear from you. Please email yourstory@abqjournal.com
taboola desktop
ABQjournal can get you answers in all pages
Questions about the Legislature?
Albuquerque Journal can get you answers
