Administered by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, it has jurisdiction anywhere in the state, often working in tandem with local and federal law enforcement.

Founded in 1905, NMSP's official mission is to protect the lives, property and constitutional rights of the people of New Mexico.

The mounted police were reactivated and kept the border with Mexico secure, as well as provided general law enforcement services.

135 men applied for the school, eighteen were selected to attend, and ten were finally chosen and commissioned as the first motor patrol officers.

Every week, officers would wire law enforcement matters to be disseminated to the chief in Santa Fe, who would see that KOB broadcast the information twice each day, except Sunday.

The authorized strength was raised to 30 officers; the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, and captain were added; and salaries were increased.

[7] The New Mexico State Police also operates the Eurocopter AS350B Écureuil medical helicopter, one which crashed on October 19, 2001, killing officers Damon Talbott and Ramon Robert Solis.

The State Police is currently in the process to figure the most efficient and fiscally responsible way to implement uniform, vehicle and policy changes for all commissioned officers.

As of November 2015, the decision to change all DPS vehicles and uniforms to match the current State Police identity was issued by the chief.

As of early 2017 all uniforms, badges and most vehicles (older higher mileage units being phased out) have been replaced with the traditional New Mexico State Police identity.