Join the Team!
The Las Cruces Police Department is now accepting applications for lateral transfers and recent retirees who would like to return to duty. You can apply online or learn more about our Academy here.
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 90,000 residents with state-of-the-art equipment and policing program that enables 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].
All applicants interested in joining the Las Cruces Police Department must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Minimum age of 19 by date applications are due
- United States citizenship (born or naturalized)
- Valid driver’s license
- Valid high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
- No misdemeanor convictions within the last three (3) years
- No convictions of domestic violence
- No felony convictions
- Any drug usage within the last three (3) years will disqualify
- Must not have ever transported illegal drugs
- Must not have a Dishonorable Discharge from the US Military
After contacting a recruiter and submitting your application, you will receive further instruction by email about scheduling your physical fitness exam. Entry-level physical fitness standards are as follows:
- 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 successful completion of your physical fitness exam, you will receive further instruction on the scheduling of your written exam.
Applicants who successfully pass the written exam will be required to submit a complete and detailed Personal History Statement immediately after passing the written exam. The Personal History Statement is used to complete a comprehensive background investigation. It is recommended that you begin completing the Personal History Statement immediately after submitting your application and before attending the physical fitness exam.
After successfully completing the background investigation portion of the hiring process, the applicant will participate in the following testing:
- Oral Board Assessment
- Polygraph Investigation
- Psychological Investigation
- Medical Examination and Drug Screening
- Chiefs Interview
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 22-week training 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 14-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
$20.00 per hour during academy.
$24.00 per hour upon graduation during first year probation.
$26.15 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
