New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has launched a new interactive online portal to address the data-sharing and public-facing aspects of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) in New Mexico.
“We have to break down barriers to communication in this space and give the public and key stakeholders direct access to the information we have regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous People,” said AG Torrez.
“This portal is a critical first step in that process and will provide invaluable insights for policymakers, including the dedicated Task Force we intend to establish in the coming months,” he said. “I am grateful for the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, our tribal law enforcement partners and our friends in the legislature who share our commitment to addressing this important public safety challenge.”
According to the attorney general’s office, the portal provides real-time, public access to active MMIP cases across the state, facilitates better communication between law enforcement agencies, and enables anyone to provide new leads regarding pending investigations.
Through the portal, users can report a missing person, get resources on filing a police report, search for a missing person record, and view statewide data on missing and murdered indigenous people.
“We fully support our partners at the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) as they roll out this important initiative,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda.
“Although our state, and the Navajo Nation, has access to the most accurate data on missing persons in the country, their work will offer families transparency while providing additional state focused tools to ensure proper reporting for their loved ones,” he said. “Along with support from our partners, this more robust MMIP effort undertaken by the NMDOJ makes all of New Mexico a safer place.”
Funding for the portal came from state Senate Bill 12, which was passed in the 2022 legislative session. Additionally, Senate Bill 12 also provided for a position to be created to support the new portal. The AG’s office said it is currently recruiting for the new role.
To help users understand the portal, the AG’s office created a guided explanation of what the portal is capable of and how to use it.
