Jason R. Bowie, Cabinet Secretary | New Mexico Department of Public Safety
Cadets at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy recently completed a three-day training called “Officer Survival,” which marks the final phase of their Basic Police Officer Training. The program includes scenario-based exercises focused on de-escalation, as well as first aid and trauma response.
Ronaldo Ulibarri, lead instructor at the academy under the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, explained the purpose of this training. “Officer Survival training teaches cadets how to work under stress with divided attention and increased heart rates and decision making,” said Ulibarri. “Training for the performance of law enforcement duties and functions under stress and the ability to properly act in situations that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving are of the utmost importance. The training is tailored for the specific purpose of providing cadets with the skills necessary to survive a deadly force encounter.”
Ulibarri also described how this segment serves as an assessment for skills learned throughout their course. “Officer survival is not merely training, it’s a mindset. The ability to think on their feet, making conscious decisions while performing critical functions/skills is the culmination of everything learned throughout the training cycle.”
The environment created during these sessions allows cadets to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts and prepares them for real-world encounters. According to Ulibarri, “It’s definitely an eye opener. The stress level for the cadets substantially increases and really does put certain things into perspective for the cadet who is entering the profession of law enforcement. If they haven’t gotten a clear picture of certain aspects that the job entails, they definitely do after officer survival.”
The story was provided by John Heil, Public Information Officer for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.
