Las Cruces is home to some of the finest homeland security officials in the state. Agents, officers and specialists maintain their vigilance each day, on the lookout for perpetrators of serious crimes and potential terrorist plots. Just recently, homeland security teams working in Las Cruces disrupted a major drug trafficking organization, all as part of a day’s work fighting to keep the citizens of their city safe and ensure the rule of law prevails. Statewide there are 41 organizations working on counterterrorism and homeland security, many of which are based in part or entirely in Las Cruces, including:
- Las Cruces Police Department
- New Mexico State Police Crime Scene’s Las Cruces Unit
- Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office
- Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency
- Doña Ana County Office of Homeland Security
- FBI’s Las Cruces Cross-Border Drug Violence Hybrid Squad
- Southern New Mexico Gang Task Force
Degrees and Certification for Homeland Security Careers in Las Cruces
Candidates can choose from a variety of homeland security careers in Las Cruces and should research their particular area of interest to find out specific education or experience requirements. Most homeland security jobs in Las Cruces require candidates to meet some minimum qualifications, including:
- The ability to pass a background investigation and obtain a security clearance
- A clean criminal record with no felony convictions
- U.S. citizenship and a valid driver’s license
- A strong capability for team work
- Consideration is also provided for previous experience or education in a relevant field
A number of colleges offer Homeland Security degrees either online or at a physical campus in the Las Cruces area. These include a two-year Associate’s Degree in Homeland Security and a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security, which respectively provide a sturdy foundation in the field’s history and way forward, and offer an additional in-depth specialization for advanced students in areas such as:
- Chaplaincy
- Crisis Response
- Emergency Medical Response
- Intelligence Analysis
In Las Cruces the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management offers a number of Homeland Security Certification programs that are good for citizens who want to broaden their field of expertise or fulfill a position requirement. Courses open to residents include:
- Developing and Managing Volunteers
- Emergency Planning
- National Incident Management System Resource Management
- Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
- Basic Public Information Officers
Homeland Security Forces at Work in Las Cruces
Law enforcement recently wrapped up an intensive multi-agency four-month investigation by giving 22 drug trafficking suspects a rude awakening. With search warrants in hand and covered by multiple air units, Las Cruces homeland security agents and officers simultaneously broke down doors in the early hours of the morning at seven locations, discovering a total of $35,000 in cash, two pounds of marijuana, three kilograms of cocaine, and 20 weapons. Although these types of actions are not an everyday occurrence, teams of law enforcement officials regularly conduct homeland security training for just these types of operations.
In another recent bust, homeland security officials connected the dots to arrest a man near Las Cruces on charges of forcibly trafficking children for nefarious reasons. Three law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation that took a dangerous child predator off the streets, preventing other children from falling victim to his crimes. Those dutifully working in homeland security jobs recognize that combating sex crimes against youths is particularly important because of the nature of the offenses and the impact it has on the future generation of Las Cruces.