LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico State University (NMSU) is teaming up with an Oklahoma police department to encourage students to consider a career in law enforcement. Tulsa Police will offer paid internships for NMSU students, giving them hands-on experience while earning the last 15 credit hours of their degree.
KRQE asked the head of NMSU’s Criminal Justice Department why they partnered with an out-of-state department when so many New Mexico agencies are trying to fill their ranks. They have a formal agreement with Tulsa because it is one of the last remaining cities in the country that require officers to hold a bachelor’s degree.
However, they do lend a hand in New Mexico recruitment on an informal level. “They know the importance of education, and so they work with us as well. But it’s not something we have to formalize because the student can just sign up for an internship and it doesn’t even have to be at the end of the class,” officials say.
NMSU has also served as a pipeline for Tulsa PD for some time with around 60 Aggie alums currently on the force.
