Academy for New Cadets
We anticipate accepting applications for new cadets for our 57th Academy beginning July 6, 2026. Follow our socials (Facebook & Insta) for updated information.
Lateral Officers
The Las Cruces Police Department occasionally accepts applications for lateral transfers, commissioned or certified law enforcement officers in good standing with their current agency who would like to lateral to LCPD. Officers who are commissioned in New Mexico, or have at least two years of certified law enforcement experience from police departments outside of New Mexico, are eligible for consideration based on the successful completion of a thorough background investigation.
The Las Cruces Police Department offers up to $35,000 in recruitment, retention and relocation incentives for commissioned law enforcement personnel who are in good standing with their current department and wish to laterally transfer to LCPD. Follow our social media (Facebook and Instagram) for information on the next lateral transfer opportunity.
PERA-NM Retired Officers
We also accept applications, periodically, for former officers who retired with PERA New Mexico benefits less than eight years ago.
Retired officers who are selected are also eligible for up to $35,000 in recruitment, retention and relocation incentives and 40 hours of annual leave upon hire. Salaries range from $30.28 to $43.68 per hour, depending on experience.
Laws that govern the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico allow recent retirees to return to work for many public safety positions, including police officers. The law allows retirees to receive their earned pension, cost-of-living adjustments and their new salary for up to 36 months after returning to work.
For more information on lateral transfers or retiree opportunities, call LCPD’s Training Academy at (575) 541-2766.
Have a Recruiter Contact You (info survey)
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 115,000 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.
Attention NMSU Students: LCPD Teams with Criminal Justice Program
The Las Cruces Police Department and New Mexico State University have an agreement that allows students enrolled in NMSU’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice program to simultaneously be employed in LCPD’s academy. Students will receive up to 15 hours of academic credit plus a salary of $24 an hour while training in LCPD’s academy.
Students interested in this opportunity are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor or contact a recruiter.
New Cadet Hiring Incentive Levels
| Incentive Level | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Level | $11,000 |
| Associates Degree | $15,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree/ 4 years Honorable Military Service | $20,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Criminology or Retirement from Military | $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% |
Annual, Personal & Sick Leave
First-year officers, after completing their one-year probation, earn 256 hours of leave each year:
- 80 hours Annual Leave
- 80 hours Personal Leave
- 96 hours Sick Leave
With Annual Leave and Personal Leave, officers are off 160 hours a year. Since officers work four 10-hour shifts, that’s 16 work days off each year. And, although we encourage our employees to save as much of their Sick Leave as possible, it’s good to know first-year officers have 96 hours of Sick Leave that can be used each year.
Take the First Step
To begin your path to becoming a police officer, get in contact with one of our recruiters.
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: TBD
- Oral Board Testing: TBD
- Background Investigation: TBD
- Polygraph Investigation: TBD
- Psychological, Medical and Fingerprints: TBD
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 and $36 overtime during academy.*
$26 per hour and $39 overtime 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
- 80 Hours of Annual Leave Per Year
- 80 Hours of Personal Leave Per Year
- Military Leave
- Bereavement Leave
- Excellent health care plans
- Worker’s compensation
Officers are represented by the Police Officers’ Association and all benefits under the contract upon completion of probation.
Begin the Journey
