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Two NMSU graduates have recently landed in top law enforcement positions, and their abilities to weather the storms currently rocking public trust in our police departments are a testament to the character of the broader community that ushered them to the top.
By Levi Gwaltney, Editor
Source: New Mexico Department of Public Safety, KRQE News 13 Albuquerque, NMSU Panorama
Photos: Courtesy
NMSU graduate, Jeremy Story, was named chief of the Las Cruces Police Department in December 2023 after serving as interim chief since July 2023. Story joined LCPD in 2007. Since taking the top position in Las Cruces, Story has had to navigate three LCPD-related lawsuits involving officer conduct while on duty and the horrific murder of an officer.
Fellow NMSU graduate, W. Troy Weisler, was named chief of the New Mexico State Police department in 2024. Not even through the second month of 2025, Weisler released a statement (below) regarding a New Mexico State Police officer being placed on leave while the FBI investigates possible involvement in a “DWI enterprise” scheme. (See court filing of first guilty plea in DWI enterprise scheme here: Guilty Plea Exposes Possible Policing for Profit in New Mexico)
Chief Weisler’s announcement names Sergeant Toby LaFave as the one placed on “administrative leave” pending the FBI investigation, as well as an internal NMSP investigation. Sergeant LaFave is privy to the same rights as all Americans, and should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. It is this presumption of innocence that makes this particular event even more trying for New Mexico’s top law enforcement officer because Toby LaFave is no ordinary police officer. Over the past decade, LaFave has become the public face of DWI law enforcement in New Mexico. As far as public image is concerned, LaFave was the long-established face of a department Chief Weisler took over one short year ago.
In 2017, Albuquerque’s KRQE News 13 ran an exposé on officer LaFave, touting his milestone 100th DWI arrest, and his skill at “putting drunk drivers behind bars.” The story lauded Officer LaFave’s recognition as Officer of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving… “twice”. Officer LaFave was featured in a video where he was “moved to tears” after a DWI stop (see below). He was the face on the EndDWI billboards–literally, the poster boy for DWI enforcement in New Mexico.
This was the officer Chief Weisler announced being placed on administrative leave, today.
I pray the FBI determines Sergeant LaFave had no involvement in the DWI enterprise being investigated, and the internal investigation concludes Officer LaFave was acting in the best interest of the people of the state of New Mexico. I pray for this as much as anything in these uncertain times. By the same token, I hold faith that fellow NMSU graduates, Chief Story and Chief Weisler will continue to uphold the values instilled in them by our broader community.
NMSP Chief Troy Weisler is a graduate of the Criminal Justice Department at New Mexico State University. He was appointed New Mexico State Police chief in 2024. He was unanimously confirmed as the agency’s 23rd chief by the New Mexico senate.
After placing an officer on leave in connection with the DWI Enterprise Investigation, NMSP Chief Troy Weisler has issued the following statement:
“As a result of the ongoing investigation into allegations of DWI-related racketeering, I have placed New Mexico State Police Sergeant Toby Lafave on administrative leave pending both the FBI’s inquiry and our own internal investigation,” said Chief Weisler of the New Mexico State Police.
“Let me be clear—any misconduct or criminal behavior within our ranks will not be tolerated. The New Mexico State Police holds its officers to the highest ethical and professional standards. If it is found Sergeant Lafave’s actions have violated the law or our policies, he will be dealt with swiftly and decisively. I also want to assure the public that our internal investigation is a top priority.
I will do everything in my power to ensure any State Police officer who engaged in corrupt behavior is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We will not allow the actions of any individual to tarnish the reputation and sacrifice of the men and women in this department who uphold their oath with pride and honor every day.”
