When is it permissible for officers to use deadly force according to New Mexico laws?

The use of deadly force by law enforcement officers in New Mexico is permissible primarily when there is an imminent threat to life. This guideline emphasizes the principle that deadly force should be employed only as a last resort in situations where an officer, or another person, faces an immediate threat of death or serious bodily harm.

This standard is aligned with necessary precautions and ethics in law enforcement, ensuring that officers act to protect life rather than escalate situations without sufficient justification. In scenarios where the threat is not immediate or direct, such as merely preventing an escape or feeling threatened (without an imminent risk), officers are expected to pursue alternative methods that do not involve deadly force. Similarly, while making an arrest may involve some level of force, using deadly force for non-immediate situations contradicts the legal standards guiding police conduct.