Alamogordo Celebrates Historic Milestone: First Dispatchers Graduate from NMLEA Public Safety Telecommunicator Academy

Alamogordo, New Mexico – The City of Alamogordo is beaming with pride as its inaugural group of public safety telecommunicators successfully completed and graduated from the rigorous Public Safety Telecommunicator (PST) training at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy (NMLEA) in Santa Fe. This achievement marks a pivotal advancement for local emergency services with the establishment and impending launch of the new Alamogordo Communications Center (ACOMM).

Congratulations to Public Safety Telecommunicator Class #170!

The Alamogordo graduates included:

• Communications Manager Hilton Chapman

• Telecommunicator Margaret McColley (Maggie McColley)

• Telecommunicator Jasmine Luna

• Telecommunicator Brittany Villa

The city is especially proud to recognize Margaret McColley, who earned the distinguished honor of valedictorian for the class. Her outstanding performance exemplifies the dedication, skill, and composure required in one of the most high-stakes roles in public safety—serving as the calm, first voice in crisis for residents needing police, fire, or medical assistance.

A strong delegation from Alamogordo attended the graduation ceremony to demonstrate unwavering support for public safety. Led by Mayor Sharon McDonald, City Commissioner Warren Robinson, and Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez, the group also included the Alamogordo city police chief (Chief Kunihiro) and fire chief, along with other key personnel such as DC Lashley, Chief Ramirez, Lt. McColley, and the graduating dispatchers themselves. Their presence highlighted the city’s unified commitment to enhancing emergency response capabilities.

The three-week PST program (January 12–30, 2026) at the NMLEA under the New Mexico Department of Public Safety delivers intensive, state-mandated training in emergency communications protocols, crisis intervention, radio dispatching procedures, NCIC operations, and realistic scenario-based simulations. This certification equips telecommunicators to handle the full spectrum of emergency calls with precision and professionalism, ensuring they meet New Mexico’s standards for public safety communications.

In-Depth Look at the New Alamogordo Communications Center (ACOMM)

The launch of ACOMM represents a major strategic shift for the City of Alamogordo, bringing 911 dispatch services back in-house after previously participating in the regional Tularosa Basin Regional Dispatch Authority (TBRDA). City officials cited concerns over training consistency, occasional communication issues, rising costs, and the need for greater local control and accountability as key drivers behind the decision to withdraw from the regional partnership and rebuild an independent operation.

• Location and Infrastructure: ACOMM is to be housed at the Alamogordo Police Department headquarters (700 Virginia Avenue), where the city invested significantly in upgrades. In August 2025, the City Commission approved $3 million in funding specifically for the new city operated 911 dispatch center, covering equipment, technology infrastructure, facility enhancements, and operational setup to create a modern, reliable Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

• Technology and Capabilities: The center incorporates advanced communications technology, including systems for handling emergency calls, dispatching units, and integrating with police, fire, and EMS responders. Alamogordo has also adopted modern 911 enhancements, such as those aligned with New Mexico’s statewide rollout of internet-based Next Generation 911 (NG911) features, which support text-to-911, photo/video submissions, and AI-driven call management for faster, more informed responses.

• Staffing and Training Pathway: Prior to academy attendance, the telecommunicators underwent comprehensive in-house training on departmental policies, procedures, local geography, and the specific technology stack used at ACOMM. This phased approach—local onboarding followed by state certification—ensures seamless integration and high performance from day one.

• Benefits for the Community: By operating independently, ACOMM promises improved response times through direct local coordination, elevated training standards, reduced reliance on external entities, and better alignment with Alamogordo’s unique needs as a growing community near Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands National Park. The center will serve as the primary hub for all police, fire, and medical emergency dispatches within city limits, enhancing overall public safety resilience.

The City of Alamogordo extended a heartfelt thanks to the NMLEA instructors, staff, and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety for their expertise in preparing these frontline professionals. With ACOMM poised to become fully operational following this graduation, Alamogordo is taking a bold step forward in delivering prompt, professional, and community-focused emergency communications.

For more on local public safety updates, visit AlamogordoTownNews.org or tune in to KALHRadio.org

Citations/Sources:

• New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy PST Training Schedule and Class #170 (lea.nm.gov)

• Alamogordo Police Department announcements on telecommunicator training and ACOMM (Facebook)

• City Commission approval of $3 million for new dispatch center (alamogordonews.com, August 2025)

• Coverage of city’s withdrawal from regional dispatch and appointment of Hilton Chapman (2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news, October 2025)

• Previous Alamogordo leadership delegation in Santa Fe (AlamogordoTownNews.org)

• General NMLEA PST program details and statewide 911 upgrades (dps.nm.gov, lea.nm.gov)

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