Santa Fe, NM - On Sunday, July 16, 2017, the New Mexico State Police lateral academy will begin in Santa Fe. Twenty officers from around the state were selected to attend the academy after meeting all qualifications during the stringent application process.

The State Police lateral academy is an eight week academy for certified police officers with at least two years of law enforcement experience. The lateral academy will equip these officers with the additional training required to become a New Mexico State Police officer.

New Mexico State Police Chief Pete Kassetas said about the academy, "We are excited about the potential to add twenty experienced and knowledgeable officers to our agency. Not only will these potential future officers assist to fill our shortage of officers, but they have the ability to bring experience with them, benefitting our agency and public. The New Mexico State Police will only accept the best candidates and we look forward to training these officers to be excellent public servants and State Police officers."

The lateral academy will graduate on September 8, 2017 and those officers who graduate will be sent to pre-assigned districts around the state.