In the wake of September 11, 2001, most Americans think of homeland security as protecting the United States from international or domestic terrorism. In New Mexico, however, homeland security also includes securing national borders from drug cartels. Homeland security investigators in New Mexico are targeting drug cartels from Mexico that are pushing heroin, methamphetamine and other illegal drugs into the state. These investigators work in collaboration with state and local law enforcement to fight the war on drugs. Homeland security jobs in New Mexico may be concerned with a variety of topics, all of which present a threat to the security of the United States.
Degree and Training in Homeland Security in New Mexico
Before pursuing a homeland security career in New Mexico, students need to have the proper training and education. This may involve certification or a degree at the undergraduate or graduate level, depending upon the school’s policies. Some schools issue criminal justice or political science degrees with a concentration in homeland security or emergency management. Most homeland security educational programs in New Mexico and online have the following coursework in common:
- Border security threats
- Introduction to homeland security
- Kidnapping and paramilitary threats
- Gang threats
- Emergency response
- Risk assessment and management
- Issues in tribal law enforcement
Homeland Security Divisions and Organizations in New Mexico
The federal government has divided New Mexico into six preparedness areas. Within those areas, organizations exist at the governmental and private levels that employ persons in homeland security careers in New Mexico. A wide variety of possibilities may be available to those interested in pursuing a homeland security job in New Mexico. Governmental homeland security initiatives have created the following organizations in New Mexico (or in which New Mexico participates) that may employ homeland security professionals:
- New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Albuquerque
- New Mexico Department of Public Safety- statewide law enforcement including:
- New Mexico State Police
- New Mexico Gang Task Force
- New Mexico Mounted Patrol
- FBI Field Office- Albuquerque
- FBI resident agencies and satellite offices – Santa Fe, Roswell, Las Cruces
- New Mexico All Source Intelligence Center (fusion center for state crimes, counterterrorism, and hazards)
- Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center
- Rocky Mountain Information Network
- Law Enforcement Information Exchange
- Border Enforcement Security Task Force
- FBI Field Intelligence Group-Albuquerque
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement Field Intelligence Group – El Paso
- New Mexico Joint Terrorism Task Force- Albuquerque
- Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council – Albuquerque
Additionally, private companies contribute to the homeland security effort and operations in New Mexico and employ properly trained individuals. They include:
- Westech International, Albuquerque
- TMC Design, Las Cruces
- TechSource, Inc., Los Alamos
- Raven, Inc., Albuquerque
- Rainmaker Business Services, Pecos
- Orion Technical Resources, Albuquerque
- Los Alamos Technical Associates, Los Alamos
- Ktech Corporation, Albuquerque
- Kestrel Corporation, Albuquerque
- Innovative Technology Partnerships LLC, Albuquerque
- Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque