Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.  You start earning salary and benefits the first day of the academy.

Contact one of the six area commands and request approval through the Area Commander.

It can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months, but varies and could take longer. 

You are on probation for one year from the date of graduation from the academy.  Depending on what specialized unit you are interested in, you may have to work a minimum of two years non-probationary (investigative units) or four years non-probationary (tactical units). 

Yes, APD’s Background Unit will conduct its own thorough background investigation on everyone who makes it through weekend testing.

A minimum of two trips are required.  The first trip encompasses weekend testing.  The second trip encompasses the polygraph, psychological interview and  consists of the chief’s selection committee.  The medical exam will be completed once the out of state applicant moves to Albuquerque to begin the police academy.

The police academy is approximately 26 weeks.

The academy is not a live in academy, so you are allowed to go home at the end of every day.  Cadets generally work day shift; however some swing shifts are required depending on the phase of training. 

Lying, omitting or minimizing facts is where most applicants get dropped.  Usually, the act in and of itself would not disqualify the applicant, but because an integrity violation occurs, the applicant is disqualified. 

Yes, you must be a United States Citizen to be a police officer, but not a civilian police service aide.

A letter from your high school on official school letter head with the school seal stating you did in fact attend and your graduation date will suffice.

If we ask for it, we need it.  Bring what you have.  For each document you are missing, attach a sheet of paper that says what it is you are missing.  Your background file will not be worked until all documents are provided.

Yes! We will continue to hire lateral transfers until our staffing needs are met!

You can, however it will be difficult.  The Police Service Aide position is full time, so your class schedule will need to be organized around your work schedule. 

Please click the “Apply Now” tab from the home page or Click Here.

There is no upper age limit, as long as you can perform the physical fitness requirements.  To start as a police service aide, you must be 18 and for a police officer you must be 20 or turn 21 before the end of the academy.

You will need to buy your uniforms, shoes and some other items however check with a tax professional to see if any of these expenses are tax deductible.  The department will provide a gun belt, handcuffs, a firearm, and a number of other pieces of equipment.

No. 

You are on probation for the first year.  For the first four months of that probation (at minimum) you are on on-the-job training (OJT).  Each month you are with a different field training officer.  OJT is a practical application of what you learned in the police academy.

A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. Notaries can often be found at your local bank or by searching online.