Start Your
Career as a
Police Officer
Step into a career of service, strength, and growth with APD.
Pay & Benefits
Competitive pay from day one — with clear, structured raises as you advance through APD's career progression.
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Cadet
$30.75 / hour
- Cadet $30.75
- Police Officer 2nd Class / P2C (post-academy) $31.49
- Police Officer 1st Class / P1C (after probation) $38.10
- Senior P1C (5–14 years) $39.41
- Master P1C (15+ years) $41.39
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Healthcare
Comprehensive Coverage
- Medical, dental, and hospitalization
- City-provided coverage
- Coverage starts day one
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Retirement
PERA System
- PERA retirement system
- Fully funded pension
- Secure your future
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Core Benefits
- Education incentive (biweekly): Bachelor's $100 | Master's $150 | PhD $200
- Bilingual pay: Full proficiency $23.08 / Conversational $9.23 per pay period
- Shift differential: Swing $11.54 / Graveyard $23.08 (biweekly)
- Specialty pay: Bomb Squad / SWAT / K9 $115.38 | Field Training Officer $350.00 (biweekly)
- Overtime paid at 1.5× rate; bank up to 150 hours comp time
- Holiday pay for all city-recognized holidays
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Core Benefits
- PERA retirement — eligible after 25 years of service
- Take-home vehicle after 1-year probation (within Chief-approved boundaries)
- City-provided medical, hospitalization, and dental plans
- Tuition assistance and educational leave available
Requirements
Think you have what it takes? Here's what APD looks for in every cadet candidate.
Minimum Requirements
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Must be 21 years of age by academy graduation
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Valid driver's license (NM license within 30 days of hire)
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U.S. citizen
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High school diploma or GED
Disqualifiers
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Felonies — any felony conviction or diversion adjudicated → permanent disqualification
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Misdemeanors — convictions in the past 3 years → disqualifying
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DWI — convictions or administrative sanctions in the past 5 years; 2+ DWIs in 10 years → disqualifying
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Domestic Violence — convictions are disqualifying
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Drug Use — illegal misdemeanor drugs within 2 years; illegal felony drugs within 5 years; marijuana reviewed case-by-case
Integrity Is Critical
Many applicants are dropped not for the issue itself, but for lying, omitting, or minimizing facts during the process.
The Path to the Badge
The full process typically takes 3–9 months. Here's what to expect from application to graduation day.
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1
Interest Card
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2
Personal History Statement (PHS)
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3
Required Documents Submission
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4
Nelson-Denny Reading Exam Next dates for Nelson Denny is July 11-12 and July 25-26. Individuals can contact recruiters for more details.
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5
Written Psychological Exam
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6
Background Investigation
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7
Polygraph Exam
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8
Psychological Assessment Interview
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9
Chief's Selection Committee Review
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10
Medical Exam & Drug Screen
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11
Physical Abilities Test (2–4 weeks before academy start)
The Police Academy
26-week program, 40 hours/week. Structured around New Mexico DPS certification curriculum. Not live-in — cadets return home daily. After graduation: minimum 4 months OJT with multiple FTOs, then 1-year probation.
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Criminal law & justice system
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Patrol & investigation
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Traffic enforcement & crash investigation
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Defensive tactics & firearms training
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Police driving
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Crisis intervention & community policing
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Physical training & scenario-based learning
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Academy Duration
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OJT After Academy
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Probation Period
A Career That Grows With You
After the academy, you'll have opportunities to specialize and advance. APD offers elite units where officers can apply their skills and build a legacy.
SWAT
APD's Special Weapons and Tactics team responds to hostage rescues, barricaded suspects, and high-risk warrants.
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Graduate from cadet training to Police Officer first
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Competitive selection with physical and tactical assessments
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$115.38 biweekly specialty pay
K9 Unit
Partner with a highly trained police dog to track suspects, detect narcotics, and support patrol operations.
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Graduate from cadet training to Police Officer first
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Intensive K9 handler training program
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$115.38 biweekly specialty pay
Air Support Unit
Provide critical overhead surveillance from the sky, assisting in pursuits, searches, and tactical operations.
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Graduate from cadet training to Police Officer first
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Pilot or aerial observer certification opportunities
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$23.08 biweekly specialty pay
Homicide Unit
Investigate the city's most serious crimes and bring closure through thorough, expert investigative work.
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Graduate from cadet training to Police Officer first
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Requires detective rank or assignment
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High-impact work on the city's most serious crimes
Crisis Intervention Team
Bridge law enforcement and mental health services — de-escalating crises and connecting individuals to resources.
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Specialized behavioral health and de-escalation training
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Bridge between law enforcement and mental health resources
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Critical role in community wellness and public safety
Crisis Negotiation Team
Resolve critical incidents through communication in barricade situations, hostage scenarios, and standoffs.
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Specialized communication and de-escalation certification
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Deployment to barricade and hostage incidents
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Critical role in achieving peaceful resolutions
DWI Unit
Remove impaired drivers from Albuquerque roads through focused enforcement and expert evaluation.
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Specialized impaired driving detection and enforcement training
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Advanced roadside evaluation certification
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Critical safety role in reducing traffic fatalities
Gang Unit
Combat gang-related crime through intelligence-driven investigations that disrupt criminal networks.
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Intelligence-driven investigations and enforcement operations
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Specialized gang recognition and network analysis training
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High-impact work disrupting organized criminal activity
Bomb Squad
Neutralize explosive threats with precision using cutting-edge technology and specialized training.
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Federal EOD certification and training required
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State-of-the-art equipment and ongoing development
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$115.38 biweekly specialty pay
Crime Scene Investigations
Collect and analyze physical evidence that forms the backbone of criminal prosecutions.
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Advanced forensic science and evidence collection training
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Collaboration with detectives and prosecutors
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Technology-driven investigative methods
Emergency Response Team
Deploy rapidly to large-scale incidents, civil disturbances, and specialized tactical situations.
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Rapid deployment and specialized tactical training
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Multi-agency collaboration on critical incidents
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Advanced equipment and response certifications
Honor Guard
Represent APD at official ceremonies, funerals, and community events with pride and professionalism.
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Represents APD at official and ceremonial events
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Rigorous standards of professionalism and precision
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Prestigious opportunity to honor department service
School Resource Officers
Build relationships and keep students safe as mentors, educators, and law enforcement professionals.
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Partnership with Albuquerque Public Schools
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Youth engagement and mentorship focus
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Unique community-building role within law enforcement
Traffic Unit
Investigate serious collisions and enforce traffic laws with accident reconstruction expertise.
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Accident reconstruction and collision investigation training
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Specialized traffic enforcement expertise
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Critical role in Albuquerque road safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before applying to APD as a Police Officer Cadet.
Do you have a tattoo policy?
Do I get paid during the Academy?
How long does the process take?
Is there a patrol requirement before joining a specialized unit?
How do I schedule a ride-along?
I'm applying from out of state — what should I know?
Is there an age limit?
Do I have to buy my own gear?
Is the Academy live-in?
How do I get proof of Selective Service registration?
Where do most applicants get dropped?
Apply Today
Take the First Step
Serve Albuquerque. Build your skills. Start a career with purpose. APD is ready for you.