Join the Team!
No previous experience as a law enforcement officer? Apply online by Dec. 2, 2024.
The Las Cruces Police Department is also accepting applications for lateral transfers and recent retirees who would like to return to duty.
Enjoy a Rewarding Career While Serving your Community
The Las Cruces Police Department is a team of dedicated individuals who work with the community to create and maintain a safe, secure environment for our residents. We are a diverse organization reflecting the various cultures which exist here and offering many different opportunities in which to promote the safety of the unique and growing community in which we live.
If you are a dynamic, service-oriented individual with a desire to make a difference in our community, consider a career opportunity with the Las Cruces Police Department.
We are looking for men and women to serve as peace officers in our rapidly expanding law enforcement agency. We serve a diverse community of more than 110,000 residents with state-of-the-art equipment and policing programs that enable us to make a difference in the quality of life of our residents.
New Cadet Hiring Incentive Levels
| Incentive Level | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Level | $11,000 |
| Associates Degree | $15,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree/ 4 years Honorable Military Service/ Retirement from Military Service | $20,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Criminology. | $25,000 |
| Master’s Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Criminology | $30,000 |
| Relocation Assistance | $5,000 |
*With a three-year commitment.
| Basic Officer Payout Schedule | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Upon Completion of Week 12 of the Basic Academy | 10% |
| Upon Graduation from the Basic Academy | 20% |
| At the Completion of Field Training | 30% |
| One Day Prior to the End of the Probationary Year | 40% |
Take the First Step
To begin your path to becoming a police officer, get in contact with our department’s recruiters by texting JoinLCPD to 575-376-6817. From there you will be assigned a recruiter who will be there to answer any questions you might have and mentor you throughout the entire hiring process. For additional questions pertaining to recruiting you can also contact Sgt. Joshua Milks at [email protected] or Officer Eduardo Salinas at [email protected].
After contacting a recruiter and submitting your application, you will receive further instructions by email about scheduling your Written Exam. This test will cover general academics like reading, comprehension, problem solving questions and memory related questions.
Applicants who successfully pass the written exam will be scheduled to participate in a brief, 30-45 minute Oral Board interview. Immediately after the successful completion of the Oral Board interview, applicants will be required to submit a complete Personal History Statement.
The Personal History Statement is used to complete a comprehensive background investigation. It is recommended that you begin completing the Personal History Statement after submitting your application and before attending the written exam.
After successfully completing the background investigation portion of the hiring process, the applicant will participate in the following testing:
- Polygraph Investigation
- Psychological Investigation
- Medical Examination
- Drug Screening
Testing Process tentative dates, subject to change:
- Written Exam: Dec. 4 through Dec. 6
- Oral Board Testing: Dec. 7 through Dec. 19
- Background Investigation: Dec. 19 through Jan. 10
- Polygraph Investigation: Jan. 11 through Jan. 18
- Psychological, Medical and Fingerprints: Jan. 21 through Feb. 20
Before entering the Academy, successful applicants must complete a physical fitness exam:
- Run 1.5 miles in under 15 minutes and 14 seconds.
- Sprint 300 meters in under 71 seconds.
- Complete 27 or more sit-ups in 60 seconds
- Complete 15 or more pushups in 60 seconds.
After successfully completing all steps of the hiring process, you will be accepted to attend the Las Cruces Police Department Training Academy.
The Las Cruces Police Academy was established in 1966 as a certified regional satellite-training academy of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Training & Recruiting Division. Police Recruits of the LCPD Police Academy receive their commissions upon successful completion of the police academy and are then certified as peace officers by the State of New Mexico.
The Basic Law Enforcement Training Program of the Las Cruces Police Department is in two parts: A 5-week pre-academy and a 23-week academy in which the recruit receives over 1000 hours of instruction in academic and skills training by certified instructors and, after graduation from the academy, a 16-week Field Training and Evaluation Program that places the officer trainee with various Field Training Officers on all three patrol shifts for training and evaluation.
The following are some topics in the LCPD Police Academy:
- History of Law Enforcement
- Search and Seizure
- Constitutional Law
- Organized Crime
- Probable Cause
- Accident Investigation
- Laws of Arrest
- Auto Theft
- Fingerprinting
- Traffic Control
- Ethics & Professionalism
- Crowd Control
- Traffic Ordinances
- Patrol Tactics/High, Unknown Risk
- Vehicle Operations/Defensive Driving
- First Aid/CPR
- Radio Procedure
- Report Writing
- Crimes Against Persons
- Larceny/Burglary
- Robbery
- Firearms Training
- Criminal Law
- Crime Scene Preservation
- Use of Force
- Arrest Tactics/Procedures
- Rules of Evidence
- Courtroom Demeanor & Procedures
- Interviews & Interrogations
- Cultural Diversity and Sensitivity
- Defensive Tactics
- Verbal Judo
- Stress Awareness
- Hazardous Material Awareness
- Critical Incident Management
- Deaf Awareness Training
- Handling Individuals w/Special Needs
- Crime Prevention
- Introduction to Spanish
- Peace Officer Prosecutions
- Gangs & Gang Awareness
- Police/Community Relations
- Community Policing
- Death Investigation
- Evidence Collection/Preservation
- DWI Enforcement
- Sex Crimes & Sexual Trauma
- Crime Lab Capabilities & Procedures
- Officer Safety/Survival
- Patrol Procedures
- Domestic Violence Procedures
- Interpersonal Relationships-LE Families
Once the recruit has successfully completed the comprehensive training in the Basic Law Enforcement Officer Training Program, the Field Training and Evaluation Program, and the probationary year, the officer may pursue a career opportunity in a specialized area such as:
- School Resource Officer
- Criminal Investigations
- K-9 Handler
- Traffic / DWI Enforcement
- Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT)
- Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT)
- Metro Narcotics
- Community Outreach Division
- Crisis Intervention Officer
- Drug Recognition Officer
- Drone Operator
$24 per hour ($49,920 annual) during academy.*
$26 per hour ($54,080 annual) upon graduation during first year probation.*
*Effective Jan. 1, 2025
$28.83 per hour after completion of one year probation.
- All duty equipment and uniforms supplied to you by the department.
- Annual equipment and uniform allowance.
- Four 10 Hour work schedule with three consecutive days off.
- Overtime and secondary employment opportunities.
- Advanced training paid for by the department.
- Specialty sections and promotional opportunities.
- Take Home Car Program
- Have your college paid for with Tuition Reimbursement Programs.
- 13 Paid Holidays Per Year
- 25 Year Retirement (P.E.R.A.): 25 years at 70%
- 96 Sick Leave Hours Per Year
- Bereavement Leave
- Excellent health care plans
- Personal Leave
- Vacation Leave
- Military Leave
- Worker’s compensation
Officers are represented by the Police Officers’ Association and all benefits under the contract upon completion of probation.
Email the Police Academy: [email protected]
Phone: (575) 541-2766
