School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS)
The Associate in Applied Science in Law Enforcement combines general education courses and law enforcement-specific coursework designed to prepare students interested in a career in law enforcement. This degree will prepare graduates for immediate entry into the workforce and will prepare students for the Law Enforcement Officer Certification Exam administered by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy.
The final term of the program is held at the CNM Law Enforcement Academy, which is a closed cohort consisting of LEA courses. Students wanting to enter the CNM Law Enforcement Academy must be hired and sponsored by a New Mexico law enforcement agency. The CNMLEA does not currently accept self-sponsored students into the program.
Approximate Costs of this Educational Option
Financial Aid Considerations
Educational Option Information
- This educational option is an: Associate of Applied Science
- This educational option can be completed: Full-time
- This educational option is designed for: Immediate employment
- This educational option can be started: Anytime
- Primary course location: CNM Westside Campus
Special Requirements
Students attempting to enter the CNM Law Enforcement Academy must successfully meet the requirements set forth in the New Mexico Administrative Code for entry into a law enforcement academy. This includes, but is not limited to, successfully passing a background check, medical examination, and a psychological written exam and interview.
Applicants must be of good moral character and are mandated by New Mexico State Administrative Code to pass rigorous entrance standards for acceptance into a law enforcement academy program. These include but are not limited to:
- Psychological Written Exam and Interview;
- Background Check;
- Medical examination;
- Physical Assessment;
- Valid driver’s license;
- Proof of U.S. citizenship;
Applicants may be subject to a screening interview and must be at least 21 years of age when applying to the CNMLEA Law Enforcement Academy.
Since the CNMLEA does not currently accept self-sponsored students into the program, students must be hired and sponsored by a New Mexico law enforcement agency with whom they will complete all the required screening.
Physical Requirements
Applicants to the program must be free of any physical condition that might adversely affect his/her performance as a police officer or prohibit him/her from successfully completing the CNM basic law enforcement training program. Students entering the CNM Law Enforcement Academy program must meet the following entrance physical standards as established in the New Mexico Administrative Code:
1.5-mile run: 15:14 minutes
1-minute sit-up: 27
1-minute push-up: 15
300-meter run: 71 seconds
Criminal Background
No individual may be certified as a police officer through the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy who has been convicted of or pled guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to: any felony charge or, within the three-year period immediately preceding their application any violation of any federal or state law or local ordinance relating to: any violation of any federal or state law or local ordinance relating to: aggravated assault, theft, driving while intoxicated, controlled substances or other crime involving moral turpitude and have not been released or discharged under dishonorable conditions from any of the armed forces of the United States.
Felony and/or Misdemeanor Conviction
Per the New Mexico Administrative Code, individuals with felony and/or some misdemeanor convictions are not eligible for this program and there is no appeal process.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus training sites.
Licensing
Upon successful completion of the CNM Law Enforcement Academy, students will sit for the Law Enforcement Officer Certification Exam (LEOCE) administered by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy.
Educational Opportunities
The CNM Law Enforcement Academy Certificate of Completion program is embedded in this associate’s degree program. Many of the courses in this degree are transferable and some may be applied to two and four-year degree programs. CNM currently has transfer agreements with many colleges and universities in New Mexico and elsewhere.
Career Opportunities
It is widely known that law enforcement agencies nationwide are struggling to recruit qualified applicants to enter the profession, leading the International Association of Chiefs of Police to state that law enforcement recruitment is in a state of crisis. The local policing agency (Albuquerque Police Department) is understaffed by a minimum of 400 officers. In addition, the rural agencies throughout most of the State of New Mexico and in agencies located in adjoining states are also considered to be understaffed. All regional law enforcement agencies are actively recruiting prospective law enforcement candidates and frequently utilize CNM partnerships to facilitate the hiring of CNM students.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that in 2022 there were 655,890 police and sheriff’s patrol officers employed in the United States. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects growth in the employment of police officers and sheriff’s deputies from 2021-2031. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies are traditionally employed by the local, state and federal governments.
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