NEW MEXICO MOUNTED POLICE 1905-1921

Before the New Mexico State Police, the Territory of New Mexico was protected by a state law enforcement agency called the New Mexico Mounted Police.  During the 36th Territorial Legislative Session, Senator W.H. Greer, a wealthy cattleman from Bernalillo County, introduced Council Bill  No. 26, an act to organize and equip a company of mounted police.  Senator Greer, an admirer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, proposed to name the new state agency "mounted police,"  rather than the much-used name of "rangers." 

The mounted police force was the first territorial agency with full arrest powers anywhere within the territory.  They wore no uniforms while on duty, however, there was a uniform that existed for inspections and parade activities.  It consisted of a gray tunic, gray vest, and gray matching trousers and was topped off with a hat which was a combination regular army and cowboy hat that had limited use.  Most of the mounted policemen never owned a uniform. 

Almost 64 years of being a territory had passed when New Mexico finally gained statehood, on February 14, 1912. 

During the new state’s first legislative session in 1913, the mounted police found themselves the center of heated debate.  Some factions were in favor of appropriating more operating funds for the force, while others were pushing to abolish the whole  organization.  As the debate came to a close, the senate knew that if they passed a bill to abolish the mounted police force, Governor McDonald would not sign it, as he very much favored the mounted police.  The next best thing to do, in their view, was to kill the force by appropriating no operational funds.  This measure was easily passed and no funds were appropriated. 

Captain Fornoff; however, decided not to go down without a fight.  He retained an attorney and succeeded in  getting the legislative action reversed until the state auditor filed an appeal.  The appeal was won, but legally the mounted police force was only a phantom agency, with no money for salaries or expenses.

From 1913 through 1917, Governor McDonald used his appointment power, coupled with money from the state's general fund, to employ some former members of the mounted police as "Special Mounted Policemen" to continue the work of the mounted police force in a limited form. 

When World War I got underway, national security became a concern, particularly along the border areas.  In 1918, the mounted police was re-activated to patrol along the Mexican border and the southern portion of New Mexico.

The citizens of New Mexico were so pleased with the action of the mounted police during the war that funds were appropriated to continue its operations.  Governor Larranzolo appointed a new captain to oversee two sergeants, twelve policemen and an office clerk.

In 1920, Governor Mechem made no secret of his dislike for the mounted police and made a political payoff by appointing Lorenzo Delgado as captain with the understanding  that the position would only last a short time.  At the start of the Fifth State Legislative Session, in Governor Mechem’s opening statement, he recommended the repeal of all laws creating the  mounted police.  A bill to repeal the law was introduced the same day. With the usual majority of senators opposing the mounted police, it did not take long to pass the act with little debate.  On February 15, 1921, after fifteen years, ten months, and sixteen days of service to the state, history closed the door on the New Mexico Mounted Police for good.

NEW MEXICO MOTOR PATROL 1933-1935

Before the motor patrol was formed, there were several different agencies involved with
enforcing motor laws. Chiefly, the Corporation Commission, the Motor Vehicle Bureau, the Gasoline Tax Department of the State Comptrollers Office, and the State Highway Department were responsible for employing field men to enforce laws pertaining directly to their departments. 

Field men for the Corporation Commission were interested in seeing that truckers and busses acting as common carriers obtained necessary permits. Field men for the Motor Vehicle Bureau were concerned with seeing that all automobiles bore the correct license plates, while field men for the State Highway Department were responsible for protecting roads and bridges from overloaded trucks. 

Since most of the revenue collected by all of these branches of government eventually was applied to the construction and maintenance of roads, the State Highway Department was directly interested in seeing that all of the laws were equally enforced. 

With all these various field men scattered across the state, it was inevitable that duplication and overlapping of duties would occur. The necessity for a single group of men, who would operate under central control, instead of under supervision of several departments, soon became apparent.  It was also clear that the field men should be vested with greater authority than they possessed.  A centrally controlled, highly mobile police organization was also needed to patrol the highways in the interest of general law enforcement and to make the highways better and safer places to travel. A motor patrol was conceived of to combine the duties of the various departmental field men and also have the authority extended to all branches of law enforcement and to all sections of the state.

In 1933, Governor Arthur Seligman urged the Eleventh State Legislature to create such an agency. On March 14, 1933, the Governor signed Senate Bill 105, creating the New Mexico Motor Patrol. The bill had a provision for a chief and nine patrolmen. The patrolmen would be charged with enforcement of all state laws, especially those in connection with collection of the gasoline excise tax, motor vehicle license fees, and regulation of motor trucks and busses. 

Right after the bill was passed, it was discovered that a portion of it was inadvertently left out which actually rendered it useless. On March 28, it was discovered that in enrolling and engrossing this bill, someone dropped off Sections 9 and 10.  Section 9 provided for the pay of the patrolmen. Section 10 gave the motor patrol commission authority and equipment for the patrolmen. The official copy signed by the Governor, is the law according to lawyers, and those sections contained in the original draft didn't matter, since it had been omitted from the final copy. 

The comptroller, who was the head of the vehicle and gasoline departments, and the head of the State Corporation Commission, agreed to assume the expense of sections 9 and 10, paying for salaries and expenses of their field men.  It was said that they could do it legally by designating the patrolmen as their deputies. 

The Board of Supervisors studied several states and found New Mexico's new force most resembled the Texas Highway Patrol. THP Captain Homer Garrison was detailed by Texas to run a training school for the New Mexico Motor Patrol, which was held at St. Michaels College in Santa Fe. 

As positions for the patrol were advertised, 135 men were examined, and 18 were selected to attend the 30-day training school on July 6, 1933.  During the school, the men were taught their duties which included law, first aid, military drill and boxing.  Also taught were instructions in small arms, motorcycle drill, and instructions in mechanics. 

It was decided to equip the patrolmen with motorcycles rather than automobiles. The
motorcycles would be 1934 Harley Davidsons equipped with first aid kits, fire extinguishers, sirens, a red light and a spot light. They would be ordered from the Harley Davidson dealer in Albuquerque, owned by future State Police Officer Kenneth K. Miller. 

On August 5, 1933, ten men were commissioned at a graduation ceremony.  Earl Irish was chosen to be the chief patrolman and would remain in Santa Fe. Other appointments were E.J. House, also to remain in Santa Fe, Ivan Beckner and Lacy Shortridge were stationed in Albuquerque, M.G. Benavides and Charles Miller were stationed in Raton, Phillip Coyle and Ivan Johnson were stationed in Deming. Henry Eager and Carlos Salas were stationed in Roswell. These district stations coincided with the Highway Department district offices. The salary for the chief patrolman was $150.00 a month; patrolmen made $125.00. Also hired was a civilian clerk, Joe Berardinelli and two "Special Deputies," Frank Horn and Joe Black.  Chief Irish, Patrolman House, the clerk and the two special deputies would work out of the little office that was located in the basement of the state capitol building. 

The motor patrol uniform consisted of brown leather boots and a Sam Browne belt. The hat brim was also of brown leather. Patrolmen wore a forest green shirt and breeches in the winter and a tan shirt in the summer. The hat was also of a forest green material. The dress uniform was a forest green blouse and a white shirt worn with a black bow tie. The badge was polished brass.  The sidearm was a .38 caliber revolver and was carried in a flap holster.  Later, all leather gear was changed to black.  The men were allowed a clothing allowance of $10.00 a month. 

On October 1, 1933, upon Governor Seligman’s death, new Governor Huckenhull replaced Chief Irish with E.J. House. Chief Irish stayed on as a patrolman. Chief House had started a career in law enforcement at the age of 19 working as a jailer and deputy sheriff for his father who was the sheriff of Kaufman County, Texas. The family moved to Roswell, New Mexico, and in 1928, E.J. was commissioned a police officer for the City of Roswell as a motorcycle officer.

Chief House started printing the Motor Patrol Bulletin that listed the motor patrol officers
and most reported stolen vehicles and stolen items along with wanted subjects. This bulletin was distributed among the local law enforcement agencies. This not only proved to be helpful in communicating police related items among all lawmen, but also served as a good relations tool between the motor patrol and the apprehensive local law enforcement agencies. 

In late 1933, Chief House set up a broadcasting system with KOB Radio Station in Albuquerque.  Every week local law officers would wire all law matters that were to be broadcast to Chief House at the motor patrol headquarters. The motor patrol would send it to KOB to air twice a day, at twelve noon and six in the evening, except on Sunday. 

NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE  1935-1939

Before long it became apparent to Chief House that there was a need to change the status of the motor patrol into a state police force, which would involve changing the name to the New Mexico State Police. He envisioned adding more men and increasing the officer’s salary. He also saw a need to add the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. 

With the support of newly-elected Governor Clyde Tingley and the Motor Patrol Board of 
Supervisors, a bill was introduced in the Twelfth State Legislature to create the New Mexico State Police. House Bill 30 increased the number of officers from ten to thirty in the uniform division and added two plain-clothes investigators. The bill outlined the qualifications for these men by saying they shall be between the ages of 21 and 45 years when appointed and should have at least an eighth grade education.  Every appointee was required to attend a 30-day recruit school. While in recruit school, they would be considered to be on a probationary appointment and would receive sustenance of $4.00 a day. The men of the motor patrol would automatically become New Mexico State Police Officers. 

On February 25, 1935, House Bill 30 passed with an emergency clause, putting it into effect immediately, rather than waiting until the following July as most new laws did. 

On April 6, 1935, the first New Mexico State Police school started. It was held at the
National Guard Armory in downtown Santa Fe. It started with 30 recruits competing for 15 positions.  During this school, three officers were hired who did not attend the school. One was a retired Army captain who would work only in Headquarters as a desk officer, and the other two were former police officers hired to be investigators. By the end of the school, there were 27 recruits remaining.  Nineteen of them had passed the written examination minimum of 72%. Fifteen of the 27 would be put to work; four would be put on reserve.  The school graduated May 29, 1935. 

The department activated 12 districts, with two men assigned to each district. The work
schedule was one day off every two weeks. They could not be off on weekends or holidays. The work shift was a 12-hour day. The department ordered seven 1935 Chevrolet police cars equipped with a red spotlight and a white spotlight. The department also kept the ten motor patrol motorcycles. The men went to work before the cars were delivered, so officers rode buses throughout the state going from town to town. When they arrived in a town, they went to the local phone operator and told them they were in town in case the department called for them.  This practice led to the eventual marriage between one officer and a telephone operator. 

Before the school graduated, it was decided the department would need new uniforms. At first it was thought that the motor patrol uniform would be retained.  At one point, it was suggested that the department dress like the New York State Police, including the western style hat. What was finally decided upon was a brimmed cap of the eight-point design, oxford gray with silver trim.  A silver double cord would be the hatband. Supervisors would wear gold trim. A tan shirt like the motor patrol shirt was first used then quickly changed to solid gray.

The motorcycle breeches were black oxford gray, with a wide light gray stripe down each pant leg.  The black bow tie was kept.  For dress occasions, a black oxford gray tunic blouse was worn under the Sam Browne belt. The blouse was always worn in conjunction with a white shirt and long black tie.  The weapon of choice was the Colt .45 New Service Revolver.  Chief and Mrs. House and new Patrolman Penn Winston and his wife, were credited with designing the new uniform. 

In 1936, a new uniform shirt was designed of black oxford gray with light gray cuffs, pockets and epaulets. This is the same style of shirt that is in use today. 

The new state police was still using the old motor patrol one-room office. A building was
needed that could house the whole department. Governor Tingley asked the United States Government for the Workers Progress Administration (WPA) for assistance in this project. If the WPA would furnish the labor, the State of New Mexico would provide the materials. The new proposed building would have an office for the chief, a main office, fingerprint and record's room, gun and supply room, cell, lounge room, and a combination gymnasium and dormitory. The basement would house a storage room and a target range. The new office was built on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe; the officers moved in on November 8, 1935. This building was used by the State Police until the new and present complex was completed in January 1971. 

On January 1, 1936, the new supervisor positions that were allowed by the legislature were filled.  For the first time there were ranks of captain, lieutenant and sergeant in the state police.  The first captain was Roy Vermillion, the lieutenant was W. M. Anderson, and the sergeants were T. E. Jackson, Carlos Salas and Earl Irish. The captain would remain in the field, the lieutenant would work out of headquarters and the sergeants would be assigned to districts. 

During the Legislative Session of 1937, a bill was passed and approved on March 15th, which created an act requiring drivers in New Mexico to be licensed. The act also provided for the suspension of a license and allowed officers to collect fines and fees.

Under this act, the New Mexico State Police would supervise the administering of all
examinations.  The Chief of the State Police would have the power to employ such examiners as might be necessary for the proper administration of this act. By 1938, state police officers handled all driver's license tests. 

In 1937, Governor Tingley decided to do away with the patrol cars and purchase motorcycles so that the officers would cover the state better. The department purchased 1937 Harley Davidson motorcycles and sold all of the patrol cars except three, one, which was used by the Chief, one was used by the investigators, and one was to be kept at headquarters. The first state police license plates were used on the motorcycles. 

in May 1937, an in-service school was held in Santa Fe to teach the officers to ride the
motorcycles. During this training, some of the motorcycles ran together, causing injuries 
to two of the officers. One officer, Bennie Duran, later had to have his leg amputated.
Officer Duran was allowed to remain employed by the department because the state had no disability compensation for officers. Bennie Duran worked as a desk sergeant until his death on June 17, 1963.

State police officers utilized the motorcycles year-round. In harsh winter months, the
patrolmen would use their own vehicles, or ride with a local officer, to patrol.  Sometimes the department would reimburse the officers for gasoline, but much of the time, no reimbursement was made. 

In 1937, the Bureau of Identification of the Department of Justice of the State of New Mexico was transferred to the New Mexico State Police.  The Bureau of Identification was initially set up in December 1936. There were about 8,000 fingerprint cards transferred from the state penitentiary, where the bureau was previously located, to the state police. 

Two recruit schools graduated in 1937.  One graduated on February 10, with nine men
commissioned.  The other school graduated on November 21, commissioning ten men and bringing the force up to a total of 43 officers. 

On September 22, 1937, Patrolman Walter Taber had just completed a re-training course at headquarters and was on his way home to Grants.  Officers say he had never gained confidence in handling the large Harley Davidson motorcycle.  When he reached the intersection of Cerrillos Road and Indian School Road, a few blocks from Headquarters, a car pulled in front of him causing a collision.  Officer Taber sustained a broken hip and severe lacerations and bruises on the face and head.  He was taken to Saint Vincent’s Sanatorium where a heart condition followed, along with shock, and caused his death on September 28, 1937.  He was buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery with full military honors.  Patrolman Taber had joined the State Police on December 26, 1935.  He had been in the first recruit school, but had been placed on the reserve list.  He was a World War I veteran and was stationed in Grants. 

In 1938, Chief House authorized door shields to be placed on the patrol cars; the same style are still in use today.  State police license plates were first used on cars that year.  Also in 1938, Sergeant James Strosnider, assigned to headquarters, designed silver stripes that ran two abreast from the front of the patrol car hood back to the bottom of the front door under the door shield.  In later years, the stripes were shortened and ran diagonally across the front doors.  Sergeant Strosnider is also credited with designing the "NMSP" collar insignias still worn on the uniforms today.  The officers started wearing them in December 1938.  Sergeant Strosnider designed the State Police Flag and organized the State Police Pistol Team. 

On Sept 7, 1938, the state police hired the first civilian stenographer.  Madge Higgins was
hired at $125.00 a month to work in Albuquerque doing correspondence and typing reports.  She would take over all of the office work, relieving the uniform officers in headquarters of those duties.  On January 13, 1939, newly elected Governor Miles appointed Tom Summers to be the Chief of the New Mexico State Police.  Chief House was put back into the ranks as a patrolman.  Tom Summers was a rancher who served as deputy warden of the New Mexico State Penitentiary from 1919 to 1933.  He also served a term as the Catron County Sheriff.  Chief Summers would be the first of several Chiefs appointed that had not come up through the ranks of the department.

The year 1939 saw some rather important bills passed through the legislative session. One of them did away with the old port of entry system and created a separate and distinct division of the New Mexico State Police to be known as the Division of Field Administration. This division was to be under the supervision of the Board of Supervisors of the New Mexico State Police. 

One important bill created the State Finance Board, which served as a commission to determine the amount of money necessary to reimburse any patrolman for injuries sustained in the line of duty.  This act was implemented because of injuries to Bennie Duran, Dave Merchant, Dave Jackson, and Walter Taber.  Before this act, the financial burden was placed solely on the families of the officers.  The sum of $12,000 was appropriated out of the state treasury and set aside to pay these reimbursements.  The maximum amount allotted to any patrolman could not exceed $5,000. 

Another important bill created a retirement, disability, and life insurance fund for members of the state police.  The act gave authority to the Board of Supervisors of the New Mexico State Police to create and establish a pension fund.  The fund was on behalf and for the benefit of eligible members of the New Mexico State Police.  It would provide termination and retirement benefits, and a supplementary trust fund providing benefits to such members and their dependents in the event of disability or death. 

Contributions to the pension trust fund by members of the state police could not exceed 6% of their regular monthly salaries, and contributions to the supplementary trust fund could not exceed 5% of their regular monthly salaries. 

On December 2, 1939, Governor Miles announced a comprehensive accident, life, and retirement insurance policy plan providing benefits up to $5,000 for accident disability, and $7,366 for death with a double indemnity for accidental fatalities.  Monthly retirement income would range from $30.42 per month at age 55 to $46.43 per month at age 60.  The participating state policemen contributed 2% of their salaries.

At the end of the decade, the state police force consisted of thirty-four field officers, 
five staff officers, and two civilians.  The two civilians were one stenographer and one 
custodian. 

More photos from the 1930s