New Mexico Mounted Patrol
Encyclopedia
The New Mexico Mounted Patrol is an unfunded, all-volunteer state law enforcement agency. Mounted Patrol Troopers complete an intensive night/weekend academy and must meet the same strict requirements as any peace officer in New Mexico
. State statutes dictate that the governor may call the Mounted Patrol to duty in case of emergency. Unless called out by the governor, troopers assist state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies and assume the same authority as peace officers in that agency.
, the Mounted Patrol was the only form of non-federal law enforcement. As police needs increased, the Mounted Patrol was renamed the New Mexico Mounted Police in 1905 and became the state's first law enforcement agency when New Mexico achieved statehood in 1912.
Criminal elements of the state government repeatedly attempted to get rid of the Mounted Police and even succeeded in defunding the agency from 1913-1917. The Mounted Police gained a reputation as a very effective law enforcement agency following the attack on Columbus, NM by Pancho Villa
and his men. Criminal elements in the legislature again focused on abolishing the agency and finally succeeded on February 15, 1921 . The organization eventually became the New Mexico Rangers, which also exists today as a volunteer agency.
In 1933 the state created the New Mexico Motor Patrol, which became the New Mexico State Police
in 1935 .
A group of citizens realized that the newly formed State Police was poorly equipped and often outnumbered, and decided to resurrect the Mounted Patrol as a volunteer organization in 1937. The organization grew in the following years and Governor John Miles took an interest in the organization. He pushed to make the Mounted Patrol an official state law enforcement agency and on April 16, 1941 the organization in its present form was created.
The outstanding reputation of the organization has been sullied in recent years due to charges of official malfeasance and criminal activity amongst the senior staff. Recruitment and official activities have been severely curtailed pending ongoing investigations by various state and federal agencies.
Mounted Patrol Board - The internal control, management, supervision and power of the organization is vested in a board of directors composed of not less than one member from each troop of the NMMP elected by the members of the organization.
The Chief of the Mounted Patrol is duly elected by the members of the NMMP with the Deputy Chiefs appointed by the Board of Directors and the District Captains and State Staff appointed by the Chief.
North Zone
South Zone
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. State statutes dictate that the governor may call the Mounted Patrol to duty in case of emergency. Unless called out by the governor, troopers assist state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies and assume the same authority as peace officers in that agency.
History
In New Mexico TerritoryNew Mexico Territory
thumb|right|240px|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of...
, the Mounted Patrol was the only form of non-federal law enforcement. As police needs increased, the Mounted Patrol was renamed the New Mexico Mounted Police in 1905 and became the state's first law enforcement agency when New Mexico achieved statehood in 1912.
Criminal elements of the state government repeatedly attempted to get rid of the Mounted Police and even succeeded in defunding the agency from 1913-1917. The Mounted Police gained a reputation as a very effective law enforcement agency following the attack on Columbus, NM by Pancho Villa
Pancho Villa
José Doroteo Arango Arámbula – better known by his pseudonym Francisco Villa or its hypocorism Pancho Villa – was one of the most prominent Mexican Revolutionary generals....
and his men. Criminal elements in the legislature again focused on abolishing the agency and finally succeeded on February 15, 1921 . The organization eventually became the New Mexico Rangers, which also exists today as a volunteer agency.
In 1933 the state created the New Mexico Motor Patrol, which became the New Mexico State Police
New Mexico State Police
The New Mexico State Police is the state police agency for New Mexico, which has jurisdiction anywhere in the state. It was created to protect the lives, property and constitutional rights of people in New Mexico...
in 1935 .
A group of citizens realized that the newly formed State Police was poorly equipped and often outnumbered, and decided to resurrect the Mounted Patrol as a volunteer organization in 1937. The organization grew in the following years and Governor John Miles took an interest in the organization. He pushed to make the Mounted Patrol an official state law enforcement agency and on April 16, 1941 the organization in its present form was created.
The outstanding reputation of the organization has been sullied in recent years due to charges of official malfeasance and criminal activity amongst the senior staff. Recruitment and official activities have been severely curtailed pending ongoing investigations by various state and federal agencies.
Organization
Headquarters:Mounted Patrol Board - The internal control, management, supervision and power of the organization is vested in a board of directors composed of not less than one member from each troop of the NMMP elected by the members of the organization.
The Chief of the Mounted Patrol is duly elected by the members of the NMMP with the Deputy Chiefs appointed by the Board of Directors and the District Captains and State Staff appointed by the Chief.
North Zone
- Northwest District - Farmington, Española, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Grants, Moriarty
- Northeast District - Las Vegas, Raton, Roy, Santa Fe, Tucumcarri
South Zone
- Southwest District - Ruidoso, Clovis, Hobbs, Lovington, Roswell, Artesia
- Southeast District - Alamogordo, Las Cruces, Deming
See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in New Mexico
- New Mexico Rangers