To be considered as a Police Cadet, 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.

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 &

Step #2 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 be scheduled for testing.

Upon submitting the Interest Card, the applicant will be contacted by the Recruiting Unit to be scheduled for the City Police Entrance Exam. (Practice exam material available upon request)

The City Police Entrance Exam is administered at the APD Academy by appointment only. All applicants will arrive at the testing location in business casual attire. (NO tennis shoes, T-shirts or jeans allowed) 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.

Note: If a candidate fails the City Entrance Exam two times, he/she will not be allowed to retest for 6 months. If a candidate fails the City Entrance Exam a third time, he/she will not be allowed to retest for 1 year. **An applicant will only be retested if a test date is available.

Step # 3 Personal Integrity Questionnaire/Personal History Statement/City of Albuquerque Application

These three documents will be entirely filled out and printed by the applicant. The applicant will bring these three 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

A current 4X6 picture of the candidate in professional attire will be required.

City of Albuquerque Application for Employment

Submit on line and print copy with original signature

The above three 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. Review of Personal Integrity Questionnaire

2. Physical Fitness Test

3. Nelson-Deny Reading Comprehension Test

4. Submission of all required paperwork 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.Note: If a candidate fails the Physical Fitness Test two times (two separate test dates), he/she will not be allowed to retest for 6 months. If a candidate fails the Physical Fitness Test a third time, he/she will not be allowed to retest for one year.

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

****Sunday the applicant will return to the testing site to complete a written psychological exam.

Step # 4 Background Investigation

A thorough and complete investigation into the background of the candidate will be completed. This investigation is comprised 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 a Psychologist. 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.