Q: What criteria must an officer meet to request ID in NM, and is reasonable suspicion required?

A: In New Mexico, police officers generally need reasonable suspicion that you have committed, are committing, or are about to commit a crime before they can lawfully detain you and demand identification. This standard comes from both federal case law (Terry v. Ohio) and New Mexico state court interpretations. Unlike some states, New Mexico does not have a specific "stop and identify" statute requiring you to identify yourself to officers without reasonable suspicion.

When an officer approaches you without articulating any reason, as happened in your situation, you are likely experiencing what courts call a "consensual encounter." During such encounters, you typically have the right to refuse identification requests and walk away unless the officer has developed and can articulate reasonable suspicion. The officer should be able to point to specific, objective facts—not just hunches or general suspicions—that would lead a reasonable person to believe criminal activity was afoot.

For your specific situation, it appears the officer may have overstepped legal boundaries by demanding ID without explaining any reasonable basis for the stop. You were simply walking home, no suspicious activity was mentioned, and no law violation was cited. In such cases, courts have often ruled that officers must be able to explain why they had reasonable suspicion before requiring identification. You have the right to politely ask the officer about the reason for the stop and whether you are being detained or are free to go.