N.M. Stat. » N.M. Stat. / Chapter 29 / Article 2
New Mexico Statutes

N.M. Stat. § 29-2-14 (2026)

Unauthorized wearing of uniform or badge; unauthorized

✓ current as of May 2026
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marking of motor vehicle; penalty.
   A. Unauthorized wearing of uniform or badge consists of the wearing or requiring
the wearing, without authorization by the secretary, of a uniform or badge or both whose
material, color or design, or any combination of them, is such that the wearer appears to
be a member of the New Mexico state police.

   B. Unauthorized marking of motor vehicle consists of the marking, using,
possessing or owning or requiring the marking or using, without authorization by the
secretary, of a motor vehicle whose insignia, color or equipment, or any combination of
them, is such that the motor vehicle appears to be a New Mexico state police motor
vehicle.

  C. Whoever commits unauthorized wearing of uniform or badge or unauthorized
marking of motor vehicle is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

History: 1953 Comp., § 39-2-13.1, enacted by Laws 1971, ch. 87, § 1; 1977, ch. 257, §
30; 1979, ch. 202, § 25; 2015, ch. 3, § 14.

                                    ANNOTATIONS

Cross references. — For impersonating peace officer, see 30-27-2.1 NMSA 1978.

The 2015 amendment, effective July 1, 2015, changed references made to the New
Mexico police board to the secretary of public safety; in Subsection A, after
"authorization by the", deleted "New Mexico state police board" and added "secretary",
in Subsection B, after "authorization by the", deleted "board" and added "secretary".
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 2018–2020 · leading case: State v. Montano, 423 P.3d 1 (N.M. Ct. App. 2018).
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State v. Montano, 423 P.3d 1 (N.M. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 38× “Section 29- 2 2-13 provides that “[a] suitable and distinctive uniform shall be prescribed by the 3 secretary [of public safety]. The secretary shall provide and issue to each 4 commissioned officer a uniform and an appropriate badge.”
State v. Montano, 2020 NMSC 009 (N.M. 2020). · cites it 4× “First, the Court of Appeals observed that Section 29-2-13 and Section 29-2-14, which address the uniforms and badges of the New Mexico State Police and the crime of unauthorized wearing of a uniform or badge, each “distinguish between a uniform and a badge.”
N.M. Stat. § 29-2-14(A): 2 cases
State v. Montano, 423 P.3d 1 (N.M. Ct. App. 2018). “Section 29- 2 2-13 provides that “[a] suitable and distinctive uniform shall be prescribed by the 3 secretary [of public safety]. The secretary shall provide and issue to each 4 commissioned officer a uniform and an appropriate badge.”
State v. Montano, 2020 NMSC 009 (N.M. 2020). “First, the Court of Appeals observed that Section 29-2-13 and Section 29-2-14, which address the uniforms and badges of the New Mexico State Police and the crime of unauthorized wearing of a uniform or badge, each “distinguish between a uniform and a badge.”
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