Contact: Isaac Padilla
505/986.4263
Isaac.Padilla@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bill to Amend Minimum Qualifications to be Appointed or Run for Sheriff Passes Senate Public Affairs Committee
(Santa Fe, NM) –Senate Bill 203, sponsored by Senator Michael Padilla, amends the requirements for individuals who run or are appointed to sheriff to improve the quality of candidates. Currently state statute does not list any qualifications for sheriff.
“Our county sheriffs are responsible for protecting our community and need to be qualified to be effective,” said Senator Padilla. “These minimum common sense qualifications will improve the performance of our sheriff’s departments in New Mexico
SB 203 establishes a minimum age, professional law enforcement experience, residence in the county for which the person is seeking election, no record of felony conviction, certification of basic law enforcement training, and not have been recalled from public office. It also allows voters to challenge a candidate who does not meet the qualifications.
“Enacting this law will make our communities safer,” said Senator Padilla.
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