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Gallup Police Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo presents ��˾������allup alum Amy Anderson with a Certifice of Student Internship during a celebration luncheon at the police department on May 6, 2025.

Paving the way for new partnerships

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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��˾������allup criminal justice grad interns with Gallup Police, opening door to collaborations with local law enforcement

By Richard Reyes, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

GALLUP, N.M. — A criminal justice graduate from ��˾������-Gallup was the first Lobo from the branch campus to complete an internship with the Gallup Police Department, opening the door to stronger partnerships between the college and local law enforcement.

��˾������allup alum Amy Anderson earned a Certificate of Student Internship for the work she did with Gallup Police over the course of three months in the spring. Anderson was recognized during a celebration luncheon at the police department in May.

“Throughout the 2025 spring intern program, we would like to express our gratitude for your dedicated work as a police intern,” Toadlena-Pablo said. “This certificate acknowledges your internship period from February 2025 to April 2025. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”

"Ready to work"

During the celebration, Gallup Police Sgt. Nicola Martinez-Collins described the type of work Anderson did during her internship. One of her primary tasks was compiling statistical data about missing police reports.

Anderson also spent some time working with detectives, learning about the gear they use, the fingerprinting process, and interrogation techniques.

Martinez-Collins also shared a funny anecdote about one day asking Anderson if she learned anything new, only to find out that her instructors had already taught her the things they showed her.

Anderson said she felt well prepared thanks to the education she received from ��˾������allup, but she still learned a lot on the job.

“It was definitely a learning experience, and it gave me a way broader perspective on what everyone does,” she said. “Everyone has a part here, and they play a really big role.”

"We get it done"

Anderson said she worked at the police department two days a week for a total of six hours per week as part of a required field experience course.

Anderson got into the course at the last moment thanks to help from the faculty and staff at ��˾������allup. The course is usually offered during the fall only, but Anderson needed to take it in the spring in order to graduate on time.

“I think that’s what’s cool about ��˾������allup,” Henry said. “When someone needs something, we get it done. We pull together, we’re all tight, and I think that’s something people don’t totally appreciate about the experience here. We’re all close, and we’re trying to bring in our community to huddle in with us. It’s great.”

Henry noted that Anderson, through this internship experience, essentially kick started the new partnership between ��˾������allup and Gallup Police.

Now, Henry hopes to form more connections with law enforcement related organizations in the community to give other Lobos the opportunity to gain on-the-job experience with the sheriff’s office, state police, local courts, and more.

“It’s been super fun for me to watch her do this because I know that she’s paving the way for other students,” Henry said.

"A great place to start"

Anderson graduated from ��˾������allup in May with an Associate of Arts in criminal justice and expressed appreciation for the education she received at the branch campus.

“I think people should know how great UNM is,” she said. “I know a lot of people from high school who think it’s just a community college, but it’s not. It’s a great place to start. It’s definitely given me a lot of great opportunities, and I’ve learned a lot.”

Anderson is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

After she graduates, Anderson wants to enter the police academy and eventually find work with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department or back home in the McKinley County area.

Anderson is from Coyote Canyon, which is a chapter of the Navajo Nation near Brimhall — located about 25 miles north of Gallup.

Growing up, Anderson didn’t know anyone in law enforcement or have many role models in the field, but she was always interested in criminal justice. Specifically, she wanted to become a detective for the Navajo Nation.

“I know that missing and murdered Indigenous women is a huge problem, a huge epidemic,” she said. “Growing up I’d always hear about all these cases. I just want to make a difference in my community, so I hope to do that one day. That’s what inspired me.”

To learn more about the criminal justice program at ��˾������allup, visit the criminal justice website here.

��˾������allup alum Amy Anderson, center, poses for a photo with Gallup Police personnel during a celebration luncheon at the police department on May 6, 2025.