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Overview of the NMSU Police Department
The NMSU Police Department is a full service, 24-hour a day police agency, complete with its own enhanced 911 emergency dispatch center, criminal investigations section, and training staff. The NMSU Police Department is responsible for all criminal and traffic law enforcement on just over 180 square miles of land owned and/or controlled by the Board of Regents of NMSU, serving a daytime campus population of over 30,000 and a residential population of around 6,000. While routine patrol is conducted on the approximately 5 square miles of the main campus, officers of the NMSU Police Department will patrol the college ranch and other outlying research sites as staffing allows. In addition, officers will travel to the branch campuses to assist with security surveys and investigate specific criminal incidents.
The NMSU Police Department is comprised of the Chief's Office and two divisions, the Field Services Division and the Specialized Services Division. The Chief of Police reports to the Director of Personnel for daily matters, and directly to the President of NMSU during emergencies. Both of the division commanders and the office manager report to the Chief of Police. The division commanders are responsible for the normal operations of their respective areas.
There are 22 certified police officer positions and 7 certified emergency dispatcher positions in the department. These are assisted by 10 fulltime civilian employees and 35 part-time student employees.
The NMSU Police Department offers a number of public education programs throughout the school year. Some of these are taught as blocks of instruction in academic classes, while others are taught on request for on-campus and off-campus groups and organizations. The following is a brief list of some of the more frequently requested programs:
Personal Self-Defense This is a 4-hour hands-on program designed to provide the student with techniques that can be used to help stop an attack. While violent crime is low on campus, many of the attendees of this program say they like it because the skills are useful for a lifetime. Students who are going on internships in other parts of the country (or overseas) or those getting ready to graduate and start their first full-time jobs frequently attend these courses.
Operation Identification This program assists students and faculty/staff members in keeping track of their valuables. A student aide will go by an office or dormitory room (upon request) and engrave valuables and record the make, model, and serial numbers of the items for the student or faculty/staff member. The student aide will also provide tips on preventing theft.
Alcohol and Drug Awareness This is a no-nonsense program that provides facts about alcohol and drug issues students commonly encounter. This course can be tailored for specific audiences, and can be scheduled from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the amount of detail desired. The longer courses include discussions about how police identify drugs and paraphernalia, and tools and equipment used. Demonstrations using simulators can also be provided upon request.
Crime Reduction and Prevention This is a 30-minute to 1 hour program (depending on request) that provides the basics of crime prevention. This program was designed by the instructors of the Personal Self Defense course in order to allow for information distribution during times when the hands-on program is not practical.
Rape Awareness and Prevention This is a variable length program (depending on request) that focuses on the different types of rapes and what can be done to prevent them. The programs scheduled for more than 30 minutes include discussion about the importance of communication for both men and women involved in intimate personal relationships.
Violence in the Workplace This program can range from 1 hour to 3 hours in length. It presents an overview of the issue, causes, and methods of reducing violence in the workplace. Violence originating both inside and outside the workplace are addressed. The longer programs include discussion about managerial styles and their relationship to violence in the workplace.
Other programs include Traffic Safety, Technology and Policing, and specialized courses designed for police, security, and dispatch personnel. If you are interested in any of the above programs, or would like to have a course designed specifically to meet your group's needs, call the Office of Professional Standards and Ethics at (505) 646-3311.
This site is maintained by the NMSU Police Department
updated: August 31, 200.