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Police Officer

Start Your
Career As A
Police Officer

Step into a career of service, strength, and growth with APD.

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  • Starting Salary

  • Week Academy

  • Paid Training

  • Years to Pension

Apply Now

Pay & Benefits

Build a rewarding career with excellent compensation and benefits from day one.

  • Starting Salary

    $79,248.00

    • Year 1–3 $79,248.00
    • Year 4 $83,148.00 including longevity pay
    • Year 5 $88,602.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 6 $89,277.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 7–9 $92,008.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 10–12 $94,062.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 13–14 $95,440.80 including longevity pay
    • Year 15 $99,559.20 including longevity pay
    • Year 16–17 $102,289.20 including longevity pay
    • Year 18+ $106,371.20 including longevity pay

  • Healthcare

    Comprehensive Coverage

    • Medical, dental, and hospitalization
    • City-provided coverage
    • Coverage starts day one

  • Retirement

    PERA System

    • PERA retirement system
    • Fully funded pension
    • Secure your future

  • Core Benefits

    • Full medical, dental, hospitalization
    • PERA pension - eligible after 25 years
    • Take-home vehicle after probation
    • College Incentive Pay: Bachelor's $100, Master's $150, PhD $200 biweekly
    • Shift Differential: Swing $11.54/biweekly, Graveyard $23.08/biweekly
    • Bilingual Pay: $23.08/pay period (conversational) up to full certification
    • Specialty Pay: SWAT/K9/Bomb Squad $115.38/biweekly; Motorcycle/Aerial/CNT/CIT $23.08/biweekly
    • Compensatory Time: 1.5x rate, up to 150 hours
    • Vacation Leave: 8 hrs/month (0–5 yrs) up to 22 days/year (20+ yrs). Lateral transfer credit: 40 hrs (1–4 yrs service), 70 hrs (5–9 yrs), 100 hrs (10+ yrs) + 40 hrs sick leave.
    • Holidays: 12 official holidays plus floating holiday per year
    • Tuition Assistance: reimbursement available for continuing education and degree programs
    • Unions & Associations: APOA, LPOA, CPOA, and FOP membership available

  • Incentive Pay

    • Education (Bachelor's) $100 / Pay period
    • SWAT / K9 $115 / Pay period
    • Field Training Officer $350 / Pay period
    • Bilingual (Fluent) $23 / Pay period
Contact a Recruiter

Requirements Snapshot

Clear standards. Fair expectations. Here's a snapshot of what it takes.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 21 years of age

    By academy graduation

  • U.S. Citizen

    Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work by USCIS; must have reached the age of majority

  • Valid driver's license

    NM license within 30 days of hire

  • High school diploma or GED

    Education requirement

Disqualifiers

  • Felonies

    Conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere to any felony, or involvement in a prosecution diversion program (PPP) for a felony = permanent disqualification. Felony arrests evaluated case by case.

  • Misdemeanors

    No misdemeanor convictions within the last 3 years from the date of initial testing. Misdemeanor arrests evaluated case by case.

  • DWI

    No DWI convictions within the last 5 years. Multiple DWIs (2 or more) in the most recent 10-year period = disqualification. DWI arrests evaluated case by case.

  • Domestic Violence

    Cannot have been convicted of a Domestic Violence Act offense. Domestic-related arrests evaluated on a case by case basis.

  • Misdemeanor Drug Use

    Illegal drug use within 2–5 years depending on drug classification. Prior use evaluated based on frequency, recency, and type.

  • Marijuana
  • Felony Drug Use
  • Background Investigation
  • False Statements
  • Military Discharge

Critical

Integrity is everything. Most applicants fail not because of past issues, but because they lie or omit facts. Be honest.

Preferred Skills & Abilities

  • Use and properly care for firearms.
  • Understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Prepare clear and concise reports.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine and take appropriate action.
  • Identify potential crime situations or traffic hazards and take preventive action.
  • Perform defensive tactics and survival techniques
  • Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely.
  • Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Selection Process

Every step matters. Here's exactly what to expect from application to academy.

  1. 1

    Interest Card

  2. 2

    Personal History Statement (PHS)

  3. 3

    Additional Documents Required

  4. 4

    Nelson Denny Exam

  5. 5

    Written Psychological Exam

  6. 6

    Background Investigation

  7. 7

    Polygraph Exam

  8. 8

    Psychological Assessment

  9. 9

    Chief's Selection Committee

  10. 10

    Medical Exam and Drug Screen

  11. 11

    Physical Abilities Test Administered 2–4 weeks before start of the academy

Job Duties

The principal functions of a police officer are the preservation of the peace and maintenance of order, the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the protection of persons and property under the law and the performance of the multitude of tasks relating to public welfare and safety.

Comprehensive Training for Every Recruit

Our 26-week academy builds confidence, skill, and leadership from day one.

Comprehensive Training for Every Recruit

  • Law Enforcement Fundamentals

    Criminal law, justice system, constitutional rights, and ethical policing.

  • Firearms & Defensive Tactics

    Weapons proficiency, self-defense techniques, and officer safety protocols.

  • Crisis Intervention

    De-escalation strategies, mental health awareness & community engagement.

  • Community Policing

    Building trust, problem-solving partnerships, and cultural competency.

  • Field Training

    Ride-alongs with experienced officers and hands-on scenario training.

  • Week academy

  • hours per week

  • paid (salary + benefits)

  • months out post-grad

A Career That Grows With You

After the academy, you’ll have opportunities to specialize and advance.

SWAT

APD's Special Weapons and Tactics team handles high-risk situations including armed standoffs, hostage rescues, and high-risk warrant service.

  • 2–4 years non-probationary service required

  • Competitive selection with physical and tactical assessments

  • $115.38 biweekly specialty pay

Find Your Path

Take The First Step

Apply Now Contact a Recruiter