Important Information for Prospective Applicants

Police Cadet Minimum Requirements

• Age 19 or older at the time of application
• 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
• Refer to Requirements, listed below, for details on drug usage and criminal activity.
• Must not have ever transported illegal drugs
• Must not have a Dishonorable Discharge from the US Military

Police Cadet Hiring Incentives

• Incentive Level/Amount
• Base Level: $11,000
• Associates Degree: $15,000
• Bachelor’s Degree/Retirement from Military Service/4 Years Honorable Military Service: $20,000
• Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Criminology: $25,000
• Master’s Degree/Doctorate in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Criminology: $30,000
• Relocation Assistance Eligibility will be determined by HR: $5,000
• Basic Officer Payout Schedule
• 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%
• Relocation Assistance will be paid upon hire to those eligible per HR: 100%

Pay & Incentives

• $20.00 per hour during academy. / $30 per hour overtime rate
• $24.00 per hour upon graduation/ $36 per hour overtime rate
• $28.83 per at completion of one year probation./ $43.25 per hour overtime rate
• 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

Career Opportunities

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 (SRO)
• 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

Testing Timeline

• LCPD is accepting applications at CLCPD.com through December 2, 2024.
•  You will be required to submit your Personal History Statement completed and with all supporting documentation after successful completion of the Oral Board. Times and locations of exams will be given upon submitting application.

Available Testing Dates for  Written Exams:

• Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024
• Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024

Assessments for those who successfully complete Written Exam:

• Oral Board Interviews are an in-person interview. Professional dress is recommended. Personal history statement and supporting documentation will be turned in after successful completion of the Oral Board.
• Polygraph, Medical, and Psychological Examinations will be completed at a date to be determined. 

New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Requirements

Below is a list of NMLEA specific disqualifications for all background investigations:

1. If they are not an American citizen, either born or naturalized.
2. If they do not have a high school diploma, G.E.D. certificate or college diploma.
3. If applicant does not hold a valid driver’s license.
4. Any felony conviction (guilty or nolo contendere plea). If an applicant was questioned or charged, but never convicted please ensure you have all documentation provided and make final recommendation based on facts obtained. If an applicant has a guilty or no contest plea but case is later dismissed after specific court mandates are completed, it is still considered a disqualification.
5. Any misdemeanor conviction (excluding minor traffic violations) in the past three years from date of application (guilty or nolo contendere plea). If you have an applicant that lists a misdemeanor arrest, it has to be at least three years from conviction date (not arrest date); final court disposition and all police reports must be included with final memo. If an applicant has a guilty or no contest plea but case is later dismissed after specific court mandates are completed, it is still considered a disqualification if conviction was within past three years.
6. A dishonorable discharge from the military. Some applicants receive a code of OTH (Other Than Honorable) or General Instead of Honorable. This usually means that they were disciplined, and even though it may not have been a violation of a serious nature the military will not grant them an Honorable Discharge. Only Dishonorable Discharges are immediate disqualifiers, the others are reviewed by NMLEA so it is important we provide as much documentation as possible relating to military discharge.

•  

Applicants who meet any of the above are to be immediately disqualified. Final memo must note that applicant meets an NMLEA immediate disqualifier and must focus on all facts (include arrest reports, court dispositions, and all documentation available) to confirm immediate disqualifier and justify removal from our hiring process. Memos must be submitted to Academy Director immediately to notify applicant in case he/she wants to contest outcome through NMLEA.

Las Cruces Police Department Requirements

Below is a list of LCPD specific disqualifiers for all background investigations for 2024:

1. Any use of marijuana in past one year from date of application. Use of marijuana after three years is now looked at on a case-by-case basis. Make sure you have all information pertaining to the applicant’s drug usage so Administration can review and make the determination if they are going to disqualify immediately or if they want the applicant questions any further on a polygraph.
2. Any other illegal drug usage in past five years from date of application. Illegal drug use after five years is looked at on a case-by-case basis. Make sure you have all information pertaining to the applicant’s drug usage so Administration can review and make the determination if they are going to disqualify immediately or if they want the applicant questioned any further on a polygraph.
3. Any pending criminal matter is not an immediate disqualifier but must be thoroughly documented and all court and arrest paperwork reported to Academy Director.
4. Any criminal activity (excluding minor traffic violations) disclosed or discovered during background investigation that would constitute as a criminal misdemeanor offense (local, state or federal) that occurred within three years from the date of application but that may have gone undetected, unreported and/or un-prosecuted must be thoroughly investigated and documented (audio recording strongly recommended).
5. Any criminal activity disclosed or discovered during background investigation that would constitute as a felony (local, state or federal) but that may have gone undetected, unreported and/or un-prosecuted must be thoroughly investigated and documented (audio recording strongly recommended).
6. Any applicant with an outstanding arrest warrant.
7. Police cadets must be at least 19 years old at date of application.

These are several findings that could disqualify an applicant during the background that may not be listed or are not considered NMLEA standards. The important thing is that you fully investigate everything in the packet and provide documentation. If your recommendation is that the applicant does not continue in the process, your packet will be reviewed by Administration, so it is better to have more information and documentation than not enough.

Questions?

For additional information, visit CLCPD.com or text JoinLCPD to 575-376-6817