Deputies from New Mexico's Hidalgo County and Arizona's Cochise County are now certified to enforce laws in either county.
A group of deputies from both sheriffs' departments met Monday to get cross-certified.
Officials say the move stands to benefit both agencies since there are some instances where crimes cross state jurisdiction and the ability to continue investigations seamlessly is instrumental in solving cases.
Hidalgo County covers more than 3,445 square miles of New Mexico's Bootheel region in the southwest corner of the state. Cochise County is in southeastern Arizona. Both counties also share borders with Mexico.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.