New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Requirements

Below is a list of NMLEA specific disqualifications for applicants on all background investigations:

1. Not an American citizen, either born or naturalized.
    
2. Do not have a high school diploma, G.E.D. certificate or college diploma.
    
3. If applicant does not hold a valid driver's license.
    
4. Any felony conviction (guilty or nolo contendere plea). Criminal activity in which the applicant was convicted of, pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere as an adult to any felony charge, or was involved in any prosecution diversion program (PDP) as adjudicated for a felony crime committed shall be permanently disqualified.
    
5. If questioned or charged, but never convicted please ensure you have all documentation to submit to the background investigator. If an applicant has a guilty or no contest plea but case is later dismissed after specific court mandates are completed, it is still considered a disqualification.
    
6. Any misdemeanor conviction (excluding minor traffic violations) in the past three years from date of application (guilty or nolo contendere plea). If you have an applicant that lists a misdemeanor arrest, it has to be at least three years from conviction date (not arrest date); final court disposition and all police reports must be included with final memo. If an applicant has a guilty or no contest plea but case is later dismissed after specific court mandates are completed, it is still considered a disqualification if conviction was within past three years.
    
7. A dishonorable discharge from the military. Some applicants receive a code of OTH (Other Than Honorable) or General Instead of Honorable. This usually means that they were disciplined, and even though it may not have been a violation of a serious nature the military will not grant them an Honorable Discharge. Only Dishonorable Discharges are immediate disqualifiers, the others are reviewed by the background investigator so it is important the applicant provide as much documentation as possible relating to military discharge.
    
8. If found, after thorough background investigation, to lack good moral character or has committed acts constituting dishonesty or fraud.
    
9. If found, after thorough background investigation, to have committed any acts which would be grounds for denial, revocation, or suspension of certification under the provisions 10.29.1.11 NMAC:

• • Making false statements or giving false information to the background investigator, any Belen PD representative or any or the academy staff during the application process or while in the academy. Interviews may be recorded.
     
  • Committing acts which indicate a lack of good moral character or which constitute dishonesty or fraud.
     
  • Committing acts of violence or brutality which indicate a lack of emotional stability and can pose a danger to the community.
     
  • Specific to lateral applicants: Committing acts of violence or brutality which indicate that the officer has abused the authority granted to him or her as a police officer.

Applicants who meet any of the above are to be immediately disqualified. 

Belen Police Department Requirements

Below is a list of BPD specific disqualifiers for all background investigations:

1. Any use of marijuana in past one year from date of application. Use of marijuana after three years is now looked at on a case-by-case basis. 
    
2. Any other illegal drug usage in past five years from date of application. Illegal drug use after five years is looked at on a case-by-case basis.  Administration can review and make the determination if they are going to disqualify immediately or if they want the applicant to proceed.
    
3. Any pending criminal matter is not an immediate disqualifier but must be thoroughly explained and documented. All court and arrest paperwork must be reported and submitted to the background investigator for review.
    
4. Applicants who, within the three (3) years prior to taking the written test, were convicted of, pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere as an adult to any violation of federal law, state law, or local ordinance that would be classified as a misdemeanor crime, shall be disqualified until the appropriate time passes.
    
5. Any criminal activity disclosed or discovered during background investigation that would constitute as a felony (local, state or federal) but that may have gone undetected, unreported and/or un-prosecuted will be thoroughly investigated and documented.
    
6. Criminal activity in which the applicant was convicted of, pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere as an adult to any felony charge, or was involved in any prosecution diversion program (PDP) as adjudicated for a felony crime committed shall be permanently disqualified.
    
7. A conviction of domestic violence. Any domestic violence in which there is a court ordered deferred sentence with a resulting dismissal of the charge upon completion of some court ordered conditions, is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
8. Applicants convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in the last five (5) years whether from an administrative sanction by any motor vehicle department, criminal conviction or military disciplinary action shall be disqualified.
    
9. Multiple convictions of DWI's from any of these categories within the most recent ten (10) year period shall be dropped from the process. Multiple is defined as two (2) or more.
    
10. Delinquency adjudications as a juvenile shall be considered on a case-by-case basis
     
11. Any applicant with an outstanding arrest warrant will be disqualified.
     
12. Lateral officer applicants must have a current (NON-EXPIRED) law enforcement certification that is issued or recognized and approved by NMDPS.
     
13. Applicants eligible for the Certification by Waiver Academy must submit their CBW to the NMLEA Academy and must be accepted prior to applying for a position with Belen PD.
     
14. Lateral officer applicants must have at least two years of LE experience from date of certification which must included, but is not limited to: Completing the full 3 phases of the FTO process post graduation from the academy, conducting traffic stops/investigations, responding to calls for service, making lawful arrests and writing complete reports on criminal acts (DV, disorderly subjects, affrays, DWI/DUI) to be submitted for courtroom testimony.
     
15. Police cadets must be at least 21 years old at the date of hire.
     
16. Lateral officer applicants must at least be 21 years old at the date of hire.

This list of findings is not an exhaustive list. There are several reasons which can disqualify an applicant during the background that may not be listed or are not considered NMLEA standards. The Belen Police Department has the discretion to determine which candidates are most qualified for the role of Police Officer.