The object of the association was to provide an effective and meaningful way with which the officers of the New Mexico State Police could present to their employer, which was the New Mexico State Police Board and the Chief of the New Mexico State Police, demands or suggestions, that the officers were entitled to expect from their employer, such as hours of work, seniority assignments, and other matters pertaining to their terms and conditions of employment.    This was obviously a collective bargaining organization. 

The association joined the American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees, an affiliate of AFL-CIO.  A membership application was mailed out to all New Mexico State Police Officers.

On June 19, 1972 the officers of the Association Board, along with an attorney and other representatives, met with the New Mexico State Police Board to present their request to be allowed to form an association.  The State Police Board voted not to recognize the association.

During the formation of the association, some of the elected officers were transferred in an obvious attempt to discourage any further organized entities with in the State Police Department. The department’s strategy seemed to work, as the association never materialized and eventually faded away.

In 1983, Narcotics Sergeant Charlie Smith was involved in a shooting incident during a narcotics raid, where a suspect was killed.  After the investigation, the local district attorney filed homicide charges against Sergeant Smith.  No system was available that would provide legal assistance to officers being criminally charged.  Narcotics Sergeant Jimmy Allison solicited twenty dollars from each department employee, which was applied to his legal fund. 

Prior to this officers of the state police had no help in paying their legal fees if they were criminally charged with something arising from the performance of their duty.  The state's Risk Management Division would only cover civil litigations.  This incident provided the impetus for the creation of the department’s Legal Fund.  Sergeant Allison obtained permission from the State Police Department to allow members to contribute by means of payroll deduction to the fund.  Sgt. Allison would over see this fund and serve as president a board responsible for managing the money.

In early 1984 Officer Russell Kirkpatrick and several other officers attempted to form an association for the second time.  A letter dated March 15, 1984, was sent to the Chief of the State Police, requesting a meetong with him to discuss the formation of the association.  The chief refused to meet with the officers in another attempt to discourage the creation of an association.

In 1986, a bill was drafted that would allow state employees to sell back unused sick leave, excluding state police officers.  One day, while sitting in the headquarters cafeteria, A. P. Wickard handed Jimmy Allison twenty dollars and said that would be the first donation toward legal expenses if he would organize a lawsuit to be filed against the governor’s proposal.  Jimmy Allison took it to heart and started collecting money from employees, including Chief Maurice Payne, which totaled two thousand, six hundred dollars. Before it actually came down to filing a suit, state police officers were included in the program.  A. P. Wickard advised Jimmy Allison to approach the chief and recommend using the two thousand, six hundred dollars to start an association, to protect officers in the future.

Fully aware of the fates of officers who had previously attempted to start an association, Jimmy Allison approached the chief with this idea and Chief Payne agreed to let the officers organize.  It was decided to included state police civilians in the formation of the Association, therefore it was named The New Mexico State Police Association instead of Officer’s Association.

On March 24, 1986, Chief Payne sent a letter out to all state police employees telling them that efforts were underway to lay the foundation for the development of a state police association.  He directed that representatives be elected so by-laws and other pertinent issues could be settled.  Each district would select one officer and civilian representative.  Zone representatives would be selected in an at-large election from the district representatives.  The Zone representatives represented segments of the department as follows:  

As of August 1986, the association had 287 members.  On the 21^st of that month, Acting Chairman Bill Kuehl put out a letter to all association members along with a payroll deduction card and a ballot to elect the first officers of the association.

KEITH BRIDGES

In the fall of 1986, the members of the New Mexico State Police Association elected their first board members, which consisted of the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Officer Trustee, Civilian Trustee, and Retiree Trustee.  These terms were slated to be two years in length.  To support the newly elected board, each district and division selected a district representative and an alternate.  The district representatives would attend association general meetings and represent their constituents on issues of concern.

Agent Keith Bridges was elected as the first association president and spent much of his time establishing a foundation for the association to build upon.  The department allowed the association to address state police recruits during the academy on the benefits of being a member of the association.  Many members were signed up during these sessions.     

He soon faced many controversial issues concerning the state police.  During the next legislative session, the association’s funds were limited and we were therefore unable to retain a lobbyist.  Keith Bridges was allowed to represent the association at the session only by being assigned on the security detail. The primary function of the association during that session was to support the bills the department was having introduced. 

In 1987, Governor Carruthers consolidated many agencies in state government.  During this consolidation effort, the Department of Public Safety was created, which placed the New Mexico State Police under it as one of its many divisions. The position of the chief of was reduced to a mere division director, under DPS control.  Cabinet secretary and deputy cabinet secretary positions were created and were over the chief. The Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) agents were also placed under DPS and renamed Special Investigation Division (SID), but the SID agents were not commissioned state police officers.  Prior to this change, members of the association voted to oppose the DPS concept.  Being a newly formed organization however, the association had no real voice on issues in headquarters, nor was the association invited to participate in the transition.

During Keith Bridges term, the association contracted with Brent-Wyatt-West publishers to produce The Roadrunner magazine, the association’s official publication.  The implementation of The Roadrunner would help increase revenues for the association

MIKE BOWEN

When Keith Bridges’ term was completed, Sergeant Mike Bowen was elected as the second president of the association in May 1988.  During Mike Bowen’s term, the office of Secretary/Treasurer was divided into two separate offices, creating a seven member board. Mike Bowen continued Keith Bridges’ efforts in creating a firm foundation for the association and would become very effective in representing its members in the legislative sessions.

The department used Mike Bowen’s expertise as a legislative liaison, which enabled him to meet many key members of the legislative body.  During one of the sessions, Mike Bowen, John McAninich, and R. L. Stockard were visiting with State Representative Lynn Tytler, when she related to them that a friend of hers was interested in getting into law enforcement.

When Representative Tytler inquired which agency they would recommend, she was met with a unanimous response from the trio recommending the Albuquerque Police Department.  Representative Tytler was a little surprised at their response, but quickly received an explanation.  State police officers, as were other state government employees, under a wage freeze and many members had not seen an increase in their salary for several years.  Due to the wage freeze, many state police officers remained at their beginning salary steps until they were promoted to sergeant. That was the only way a salary increase could be had, unless a two or three percent cost of living raise was approved.

It was after this meeting that Representative Tytler introduced a bill that required the Chief of the State Police and the cabinet secretary to create a pay package for the state police, which was to be introduced into the following legislative session. This bill passed and became effective July 1, 1989.  A second bill was introduced and addressed the need for hand-held radios for state police officers. The chief and cabinet secretary attempted to include SID agents in the new state police pay package and call it a DPS pay package. The association, under the direction of Mike Bowen, opposed this and gained the support of the legislators. The pay package remained solely for state police officers.

The administration also attempted to include SID in the proposal for the new hand-held radios, purchased from the state police budget.  The association also opposed that and it was ultimately killed as well.  This was the association’s first venture into the legislative process where the association stood separate from the department on various issues and it was when the association truly became a recognized entity.  Relations between the association and the department were often strained as their differences on issues became apparent, but communication usually remained open.    

There were many discussions among the DPS administration of laterally transferring the SID agents into the state police as commissioned state police officers. This move was strongly opposed by the association.  Other discussions on change that were opposed by the association were the changing of the state police badge and shoulder patch to read "Department of Public Safety" instead of "State Police."  The DPS Cabinet Secretary implemented a committee to restructure DPS.  The Chief of the State Police would become Chief of Patrol Operations, which would include the state police uniform division.  The director over SID would become Chief of Investigations, which would include state police criminal division, state police narcotics division, and SID. 

This restructuring was also strongly opposed by the association and the committee was eventually dissolved with out having ever presented anything to the legislature. One of the many reasons this restructuring effort was opposed was that Mike Bowen felt it would open the door for the state police to become a highway patrol with limited powers and place it under the direction of SID.  Mike Bowen spent much of his time as President of the State Police Association warding off the vast imposition of DPS onto state police.  Mike Bowen was promoted to Lieutenant and in keeping with the association’s bylaws and constitution, he resigned as President of the Association in June 1991.

RON TAYLOR

When Mike Bowen was promoted in 1991, an election was held to elect a president to finish his remaining term of one year.  Sergeant Ron Taylor was elected as the third President of the Association.  Chief Denko wanted an open dialogue between the Association Board and his office.  He and DPS Secretary Richard C de Baca allowed Ron Taylor to attend all DPS staff meetings and the staff wanted to know the association’s stand and opinion on some departmental issues.  Ron Taylor was assigned to the DPS five year planning conference in Santa Fe.

The most significant item at that time was the Fair Labor Standards Act, (FLSA).  There were many debates among the membership as to the officers' rights under the act.  Even though the department had made some changes in the officers work hours and working conditions over the years, there were many state police officers who felt the Department of Public Safety and the State Police Division were not in full compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.  The association board decided to put out a ballot to the membership to see if they wanted to file a lawsuit against the department for violation of the FLSA.  A ballot was put out and the result of the ballot was that the majority of membership did not want to file a lawsuit. 

FRED LAIRD

After the completion of Ron Taylor’s term, an election was held and in 1992, Officer Fred Laird was elected the fourth President of the Association.  An auxiliary to the association was formed by the member’s spouses.  The purpose of the auxiliary was to give added support to the association and it’s members.  Fred Laird did much to maintain the status of the association.  

TIM BAUGHMAN

Upon Fred Laird’s resignation as President of the Association in 1993, Vice-President Tim Baughman assumed his position as President.  Tim Baughman remained in this position until the election for new officers in 1994, when he won the election for president for a two-year term.

During his term in office, Tim Baughman developed and succeeded in the implementation of a limited and light duty policy.  He was also successful in implementing an expansion of the scholarship program.  During this time period he contracted with Contract Publishing, a new magazine publisher for The Roadrunner magazine. 

Tim Baughman worked with the chief’s office to allow on-duty time for officers attending the National Police Memorial in Washington, DC.  On-duty time was also given to association members attending the National Troopers Coalition meetings and other functions, such as New Mexico State Police officers attending highway patrol and state police funerals in other states.

Tim Baughman was also successful with legislative input on the 1994 legislation concerning the pay plan and Law Enforcement Academy expansion.  He successfully prevented DPS personnel being added to the state police ranks without attending the State Police Academy.

He was chairman of the committee that put together the 60^th Anniversary State Police Yearbook.  He also expanded authorization of the association merchandise that used the State Police Department badge and name.

NORMAN RHOADES

In the spring of 1996, Norman Rhoades was elected as the sixth President of the Association.  He and the new board began to explore ways to increase the association's revenues without having to raise the dues, which had never been increased from the initial four dollars per pay period.  After much deliberation, the board signed a one-year contract with Civic Development Company to conduct a residential solicitation drive.  Since this type of fund raising was controversial, the association implemented several safeguards in the contract to protect the citizens as well as the association and state police. This venture proved to be successful and greatly enhanced the association’s revenue.  This allowed the association the opportunity to expand its resources and still realize a continual increase in revenues.  The existing bylaws and constitution for the association was updated in keeping with current times, and the monetary guidelines were restructured to limit financial donations, which was another way that the association’s revenues were increased and it restored accountability of its spending.

During this time, the Cabinet Secretary of DPS was in the process of consolidating state police districts and the state police communication centers.  By consolidating dispatch centers, many state police dispatchers faced the possibility of losing their jobs. The Farmington and Deming district dispatch centers had already been closed down with the Farmington dispatch responsibilities being transferred to the local consolidated dispatch center.  The consolidation plan called for the closing of dispatch centers in Socorro, Taos, Clovis, Alamogordo, and Espanola. 

A vote by attending members at an association meeting resulted in a move to oppose the cabinet secretary’s consolidation of dispatch centers. Through a public campaign effort and several meetings with key legislators, the consolidation effort was stopped. The cabinet secretary sent word out that he would no longer communicate with or recognize the association.  After continued public oppositions to his plan of consolidation, the cabinet secretary agreed to suspend any further plans of consolidation and meet with the association, but not before the Clovis center was closed and Taos was partially closed.

The Association Board explored ways that would improve the association and make it a more effective organization. Dr. Larry Allen was named as the association’s chaplain and would prove invaluable in his counseling and comfort of many members through adverse times.  Dr. Allen was a former New Mexico State Police Officer.  It was decided an attorney would be needed to represent all legal issues that may arise from the Association’s action. The Association contracted with Attorney A. J. Olsen, a former New Mexico State Police Officer, for representation.  A. J. Olsen would prove an effective asset for the association, as strained relationships with the cabinet secretary frequently surfaced.

The association board also contracted with retired state police Lieutenant Mike Bowen to be  our lobbyist for representation during the legislative sessions.  Mike Bowen proved to be an equally effective asset for the association, warding off many bills that would have been detrimental to the state police and conversely, worked to support bills that would enhance state police.  Through the efforts of Mike Bowen, the association, State Police Chief Frank Taylor, and the legislators, the state police realized the largest salary increase and manpower increase in the history of the state police during the 1998 Legislative Session. 

In 1998, the cabinet secretary devised a plan to transition commissioned members of SID and MTD, (Motor Transportation Department) into the state police as commissioned state police officers by lateral transfer, to include their rank.  Through the efforts of the association, along with many members of the state police staff, the transition plan failed to be introduced into the legislative session.        

Due to the overwhelming dissatisfaction with the performance of the cabinet secretary, a poll was conducted among members of the association to establish if the majority of members wished to conduct a "Vote of Confidence" on the cabinet secretary.  Approximately ninety-eight percent of the returned ballots indicated a "Vote of Confidence" should be held.  On August 8, 1999, ballots were mailed out to each member of the association with a thirty day return deadline.  Approximately sixty-two percent of the members returned their ballots, and approximately ninety-eight percent casted a vote indicating they had no confidence in the leadership ability of the cabinet secretary.

The results of this vote were quickly picked up by the news media around New Mexico. After the vote was published, the cabinet secretary sent word that he would no longer communicate with or recognize the association.  This vote provided a basis for a unanimous vote by members of the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) to make a strong recommendation that the state police department be separated from DPS and the cabinet secretary, or to completely abolish DPS.  This move was strongly supported by members of the state police department and the association, with hopes of seeing the final demise of the DPS system. 

With the new century approaching, the association decided to sponsor a state police yearbook depicting the historic values of the state police department, along with the present day employees.  This will be the fifth state police yearbook in existence.  The first one was published in 1976, the second in 1982, the third  in 1985, and the fourth in 1995.