To be considered as a Police Cadet or Lateral Officer or Police Service Aide with the Albuquerque Police Department, applicants must successfully complete the selection process. Listed below are the steps in the selection process and the sequence in which they are administered. The entire process takes from six to ten weeks.

Any candidate who does not meet the minimum requirements will be immediately dropped from the process. If you have any questions regarding the selection process, please contact the Recruiting and Selection Unit.

The Recruiting Unit is located at 5412 2nd Street NW (2nd and Montano), Albuquerque, NM 87107. (505) 343-5020.

Step # 1 Interest Card & City Police Entrance Exam

The purpose of the Interest Card is two-fold:

1. To begin the process of becoming an Albuquerque Police Cadet

2. To allow the applicant to schedule him/herself for the City Police Entrance Exam

Upon submitting the Interest Card, the applicant will call the Recruiting Unit at (505) 343-5020 to be scheduled for the City Police Entrance Exam. (Practice exam available upon request)

The City Police Entrance Exam is administered at the APD Academy every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 A.M and 1:00 P.M. by appointment only. (All applicants will arrive at the testing location in business casual attire. Applicants will also bring a calculator.)

All applicants must pass the City Police Entrance Exam prior to participating in any other step, including weekend testing.

After successful completion of the City Police Entrance Exam, a Detective from the Recruiting Unit will contact the applicant with further instruction that will include scheduling of weekend testing.

Step # 2 Personal Integrity Questionnaire/Personal History Statement

These two documents will be entirely filled out and printed by the applicant. The applicant will bring these two documents to their scheduled weekend testing date. (Note: The Personal History Statement requires additional documents to be submitted. The items required are listed in the instructions section.)

Personal Integrity Questionnaire

Personal History Statement and Instruction

The above two documents must be submitted correctly and completely for an applicant to continue in the selection process.

Step # 3 Weekend Testing

Weekend Testing Schedule:

Saturday: (7:45 A.M. APD Academy)

1. Personal Integrity Questionnaire Review

2. Physical Fitness Test

3. Nelson-Denny Reading Comprehension Test

4. Submission of Personal History Statement

The Physical Fitness test is composed of a 1 ½ mile run, a 300 meter run, a flexibility test, a one minute push-up test, and a one minute sit-up test. A minimum score for each test is required.

The Nelson-Denny test is composed of 116 multiple choice questions on vocabulary and reading and comprehension type questions.

Sunday: (7:45 A.M. APD Academy)

1. Psychological Written Exam

Step # 4 Background Investigation

A thorough and complete investigation into the background of the candidate will be completed. This investigation is composed of, but not limited to:

Criminal and Arrest History
Employment History
Military History
Driving History
Educational History
Credit (Financial) History
Verification of at least five references
Social History

Step # 5 Polygraph Examination

All candidates will be required to submit to a polygraph examination by a licensed polygrapher. This examination is to verify information provided by the candidate in all papers, documents and statements submitted as part of the background investigation

Step # 6 Psychological Interview

The psychological interview consists of the scoring and interpretation of the written psychological tests and an interview with one of the Albuquerque Police Department Psychologists. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety requires that candidates pass the psychological test by a licensed Psychologist prior to certification

Step # 7 Chief's Selection Board

The Chief’s Selection committee will interview the Background Detective about their applicant. The applicant will then have an opportunity to be interviewed by the Chief’s Selection committee as well. The committee will decide whether or not to give a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. This conditional offer is based on the understanding that the candidate will successfully complete the remaining Selection Process Steps.

Step # 8 Medical Examination & Drug Screen

1. Candidates will be sent to the City Health Center for a vision, hearing, medical and physical test as part of their medical examination.

2. Candidates will provide a urinalysis sample to screen for illegal drug usage.