Dispatchers graduate from state law enforcement academy

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy’s latest Public Safety Telecommunicator Class (#173) graduated today as part of a training program that has prepared dispatchers across New Mexico since 1976.

Valedictorian Kylie Durand of the Santa Fe Regional Emergency Communications Center speaks at the Public Safety Telecommunicator Class 173 graduation.

Held four times a year, the three-week course trains up to 30 aspiring dispatchers for careers with city, county, state, federal and tribal agencies. New Mexico was the first state in the nation to require formal training for public safety telecommunicators.

Families and friends of the public safety telecommunicators at the Class 173 graduation.

“It is crucial for public safety telecommunicators to be prepared for anything at all times,” said Jason Foster, deputy director for the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. “They are often the first point of contact when someone is experiencing an emergency, and the decisions they make, the information they gather, and the calm they bring to a situation can have a direct impact on the response that follows.

“This course gives them the knowledge, skills and practical experience to manage real-life scenarios, communicate effectively under pressure, and make sound decisions when they enter the field. These graduates are taking on an incredibly important responsibility, and this training helps prepare them to meet that responsibility with confidence and professionalism.”

Ashton Sykes of Espanola/Rio Arriba 911 Dispatch received the Class Leader Appreciation Award.

Students receive instruction in 911 call handling, mental health awareness, legal issues, the National Crime Information Center system, fire and emergency medical services, critical incident management and hazardous materials response. The course concludes with practical exercises and a state examination.

Students for Class 173 line up to receive their certificates.

Recent additions to the curriculum include CPR, racial sensitivity training and peer-to-peer support training. Greg Archuleta Lynch is the host instructor.

To become a dispatcher, applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, type at least 35 words per minute and pass background, drug and hearing screenings.

Shaylee D. Abeita (center) of the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Police Department receives her certificate of completion for the Public Safety Telecommunicator Course. Also pictured is New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Director Fabian Valdez (left) and Instructor Greg Lynch (right).

The next Public Safety Telecommunicator class will be held Feb. 8-26, 2027.

For more information about careers in public safety communications, contact communication.recruiting@dps.nm.gov or call one of the recruiters in the following locations – Las Cruces: 505-629-3807; Albuquerque: 505-316-3122; Las Vegas: 505-652-8302.

Danielle Carmen Vargas (center) of the New Mexico State Police Communications Bureau receives her certificate of completion for the Public Safety Telecommunicator Course. Also pictured is New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Director Fabian Valdez (left) and Instructor Greg Lynch (right).

Class 173 graduates are:

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