New Mexico governor allocates $57 million to hire and retain police officers

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Millions of dollars are heading to law enforcement agencies across New Mexico to hopefully hire and retain officers.

The money will cover more than 400 new officers statewide. The funding this year totals $57 million and starting Friday, it will go to 434 positions across 103 departments.

The funding is mostly from the Law Enforcement Recruitment Fund, which state lawmakers started last year to give a boost to recruitment efforts. The money is on top of the $50 million agencies got from the fund last year.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says getting more officers on board has been a priority for her administration.

“I have been clear since day one – getting more officers in New Mexico communities is a priority for this administration,” Lujan Grisham said in a release. “The lifesaving work law enforcement does every day to create safer communities in New Mexico deserves our full support, and providing funding not only to recruit officers but also support staff empowers these agencies to safely and effectively protect and serve New Mexicans.”