Las Cruces at a glance
Population by race and Hispanic origin
Cities in this database with the most similarly-sized populations
Full-time law enforcement staff, Las Cruces Police Department
- 172 Officers
- 71 Civilian staff
Full-time law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents
- 1.63 Las Cruces
- 1.6 National average, cities with 100,000 to 249,999 population
- 2.2 National average
These figures reflect the Las Cruces Police Department only, and do not include state or other police agencies that may be present in this location.
Federal grant funding for Las Cruces
Data was last updated October 15, 2023
We identified over $16.4M in federal grant funding, FY 2014-2024
Grant funding over time
Grant funding by federal department
Recent grants
| Amount | Start and end dates | Recipient and description | Awarding agency | CFDA program | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,030,059.00 | 1/1/2023 12/31/2024 |
CITY OF LAS CRUCES THE HIDTA PROGRAM REDUCES ILLICIT DRUG SUPPLY BY AIDING FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. PERFORMANCE IS MEASURED BY DISMANTLING/DISRUPTING DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING ORGANIZATIONS AND IMPROVING EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INITIATIVES. | Executive Office of the President Office of the National Drug Control Policy | 95.001 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program | Prime |
| $1,359,950.00 | 1/1/2022 12/31/2023 |
CITY OF LAS CRUCES THE HIDTA PROGRAM REDUCES ILLICIT DRUG SUPPLY BY AIDING FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. PERFORMANCE IS MEASURED BY DISMANTLING/DISRUPTING DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING ORGANIZATIONS AND IMPROVING EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INITIATIVES. | Executive Office of the President Office of the National Drug Control Policy | 95.001 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program | Prime |
| $120,100.00 | 10/1/2021 9/30/2025 |
PUBLIC SAFETY, NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF LAS CRUCES, CITY OF | Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs | 16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program | Sub |
| $120,100.00 | 10/1/2021 9/30/2025 |
CITY OF LAS CRUCES LCPD WILL PURCHASE THE 4K TOUCH LESS LABORATORY SYSTEM AND MULTIWAVELENGTH FORENSIC TABLET FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY TO VASTLY IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF COLLECTING AND ANALYZING EVIDENCE BY THE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS UNIT. THE PROPOSED SYSTEM DOES NOT USE POWDERS, CHEMICALS, AND HAS… | Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs | 16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program | Sub |
Military equipment transfers
Data last updated April 3, 2024
$1.3K value of military equipment has been transferred to the Las Cruces Police Department
The highest-value stock number reported is RIFLE,7.62 MILLIMETER with 6 items valued at $138.00 each
Recent equipment transfers
| Ship date | Item and National Stock Number (NSN) | Quantity | Acquisition value, each | Acquisition value, total | DEMIL code | DEMIL IC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/18/2000 | RIFLE,7.62 MILLIMETER 1005-00-589-1271 |
6 | 6 @ $138.00 | $828.00 | D | 1 |
| 6/22/2000 | RIFLE,7.62 MILLIMETER 1005-00-589-1271 |
4 | 4 @ $138.00 | $552.00 | D | 1 |
Local police misconduct data, consent decrees, and settlements
Data last updated January 26, 2022
Settlements
We identified 2 publicly reported settlements that resulted in $6,825,000.00 in monetary compensation to victims.
| Year | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 |
In October 2020, the City of Las Cruces settled a lawsuit concerning excessive use of police force. Jacob Sanchez sustained heavy injuries when Las Cruces Police Officer Isaiah Baker improperly handled a K-9 unit. The city has agreed to pay Mr. Sanchez nearly $325,000 to settle the suit. This is the third lawsuit concerning misconduct against Officer Baker. |
Compensation
$325,000.00 |
| 2020 |
In August 2020, Las Cruces, New Mexico agreed to pay $6.5 million to the family of a Mexican American man who was killed by a police officer. Antonio Valenzuela, 40, had a warrant out for his arrest for a parole violation. When he encountered Las Cruces officers, he reportedly resisted arrest and fled. Officer Christopher Smelser would later detain Valenzuela and put him in a chokehold. Valenzuela subsequently died from asphyxia injuries. The settlement also establishes new policy changes for Las Cruces police, which will ban all chokeholds and fire any officer that violates this new policy. |
Compensation
$6,500,000.00 |