A. Within legislative appropriations, the district attorney in each judicial district may appoint:
(1) necessary assistant district attorneys and other personnel and assign their duties; and
(2) full-time staff as peace officers for the purpose of investigating and enforcing the criminal laws of the state, within the district attorney's judicial district.
B. Those staff appointed as peace officers pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of this section shall comply with the certification provisions of Section 29-7-8 NMSA 1978 [repealed].