N.M. Stat. § 29-1-9
Appointment of peace officers; citizenship certificate of
appointment; exceptions.
A. No sheriff of a county, mayor of a city or other person authorized by law to
appoint special deputy sheriffs, marshals, police officers or other peace officers in the
state of New Mexico to preserve the public peace and to prevent and quell public
disturbances shall appoint as such special deputy sheriff, marshal, police officer or other
peace officer any person who is not a citizen of the United States of America or has not
been authorized to work by the United States citizenship and immigration services.
B. No person shall assume or exercise the functions, powers, duties and privileges
incident and belonging to the office of special deputy sheriff, marshal, police officer or
other peace officer without first having received an appointment in writing from a person
authorized by law to appoint special deputy sheriffs, marshals, police officers or other
peace officers; provided that nothing in this section shall apply to lawfully appointed
United States marshals or to deputies of those marshals or to railroad peace officers
appointed pursuant to Section 63-2-18 NMSA 1978 in the performance of their duties as
peace officers.
C. This section shall not apply in times of riot or unusual disturbance and when so
declared by the public proclamation of the governor of the state.