How To Become A Police Officer In Albuquerque

Austin Police Department Training Academy

The Austin Police Department Training Academy is 32 weeks long. Throughout the academy, cadets are continually assessed on their physical ability, with tests performed twice a week. A shorter, modified academy is also available for qualifying recruits with previous law enforcement experience. Cadets are paid for their time at the training academy and are expected to be available for duty from 7 AM to 4 PM each weekday during the academy, with some night and weekend duties. Upon graduating from the academy, officers will enter the field training program for 12 additional weeks, after which they will be assigned to a permanent shift.

Graduate From The Police Academy

After meeting the basic requirements and passing the law enforcement exam, you will attend a police training academy. Training at the police academy consists of the following:

Classroom education

In classroom training, future police officers gain an overview of law enforcement as a whole, including laws and regulations, criminal investigation methods, arrest and detainment procedures, as well as the various approaches to policing and public safety.

They also refine skills such as interpersonal communication, stress management and negotiation as well as develop a deeper understanding of ethics and cultural sensitivity.

Field training

In the field, future officers practice defense tactics, administrative duties, properly using a firearm, handling hazardous materials, vehicle operations and the proper use of force. Additionally, they may be required to interact with the public as well as simulate common or complex scenarios to practice problem-solving, investigation and .

During this phase, candidates may begin to receive entitlements, allowances, and benefits, depending on the department. Once they have learned all the necessary skills, the trainees are ready to graduate and enter the field of policing.

Preparing For The Albuquerque Police Testing Process

If your goal is to work as a police officer in Albuquerque, its best to be prepared for the hiring and selection process. While there may be some things you cannot really prepare for, such as the psychological exam, you are encouraged to practice for the written and physical exams. The below resources can help you prepare.

In addition, candidates must be in peak physical fitness. The APD does not provide resources for preparing for this test, but candidates must be able to:1

• Complete at least 15 full push-ups in one minute.
• Run 1.5 miles in a maximum of 15:14 .
• Run 300 meters in a maximum of 71 seconds.
• Complete at least 27 full sit-ups in one minute.

For more information and resources, be sure to visit the APD website.

Don’t Miss: Can You Find A Police Report Online

How Do You Prepare To Become A Police Officer

Before applying to take the law enforcement exam, ensure that your criminal record is free of major charges that may otherwise disqualify you. Also, check that your driving record is also clear of tickets or other minor offenses.

You can also complete physical conditioning to improve your fitness before the exam. Both endurance running and weight training can help you to prepare your body for the police academy.

Are There Voluntary Certifications Available For Police Officers

There are a variety of voluntary certifications you can pursue as a police officer, including:

First Aid and CPR Certification

Police officers are often required to help in emergency situations, which may require them to perform life-saving first aid procedures. With this kind of certification, a police officer will know how to address minor injuries and administer CPR. This certification can be earned before, during or after the police academy.

K-9 Unit Certification

This certification is necessary for officers who work with police dogs on patrol and special cases. They complete specialized training that involves bonding, learning commands and running drills with a police dog.

Specialization certifications

If there is a certain field of law enforcement you’d like to work in, such as narcotics or arson, you could complete the necessary education, training and examinations to earn a certification.

You May Like: Can You See Police Reports Online

Police Officer Salary In Albuquerque New Mexico

• Resume Critique

How much does a Police Officer make in Albuquerque, NM? The average Police Officer salary in Albuquerque, NM is $57,500 as of October 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $53,700 and $62,600. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

S To Becoming A Detective In New Mexico

Statewide Qualifications

Basic detective requirements across the state include the following. These are also the basic requirements for entry-level police officer positions:

• High school diploma or GED
• Be at least 18 to 21 years old
• Have no serious criminal convictions
• Drivers license with a good driving record

An associates degree in one of a number of relevant subject areas is recommended for those considering long-term career goals with their eyes on becoming a detective. Regardless of an agencys requirements, having some college education in any of the following subjects will foster essential criminal investigator skills:

Statewide Training Standards

To become a criminal investigator, detective, police officer, or sheriffs deputy in New Mexico requires becoming a certified law enforcement officer. This is accomplished by completing a training academy sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Training and Recruiting Division. This agency offers basic and advanced training academies for law enforcement personnel from across the state who are required to complete extensive training before becoming certified.

Recommended Reading: How Many People Were Killed By Police

Gain Experience As An Officer

Once trainees have graduated from the police academy, they can begin working for the police force on a conditional basis. New officers are placed on a 12-month probationary period in which they work as a police officer but receive continuous training from more experienced officers on a daily basis.

After their probationary period, they can take on a permanent position. Depending on the department they have chosen to work for, they may also be able to obtain additional training, acquire new skills and receive performance reviews that can help them advance their way into higher-ranking positions and police specialties.

Las Cruces Police Department

As a cadet, youll earn $15.50 per hour. Once you graduate after taking the 20-week academy training, you get a $3,000 hiring bonus and your salary jumps to $17.83 per hour. After a year of probation, your salary becomes $20.99 per hour, or about $43,600 a year.

The qualification requirements for the Las Cruces PD are typical, except that you can be 19 years old with just a high school diploma. The application process is similar, and the physical fitness test standards are based on the New Mexico Law Enforcement Agency Standards. The initial fitness standards are the same as that of the New Mexico PD. But after you finish the more than a thousand hours of instruction at the Academy, you need to demonstrate the following physical fitness standards:

• 35 pushups in one minute
• 13 minutes and 58 seconds to complete a 1.5-mile run
• 58.9 seconds to finish a 300-meter run
• 37 sit-ups in one minute

Youll also need to pass additional agility standards as well.

Don’t Miss: How To Train A German Shepherd Like A Police Dog

Austin Police Officer Requirements

Becoming a cop in Austin starts with submitting an application and completing a pre-hire physical abilities evaluation. Prospective officers should carefully review the departments list of common disqualifiers before applying. To be eligible to become an Austin police officer, applicants must:

• Be a US citizen
• Hold a valid drivers license
• Be between the ages of 20.5 and 45
• Hold a high school diploma or GED
• Be free of any disqualifying health disorders
• Have 20/20 vision with normal color and night vision and hearing
• Not have any convictions of felonies or drivers license suspensions
• Not have an unstable credit history

For more information about how to become a cop in a typical big city, see 10 Steps to Becoming a Police Officer on our home page. If you are ready to apply now, find specific application information at the Austin Police Department Recruiting page.

Acquire A Degree Or Academy Training

The requirements for this step will vary substantially depending on the state in which you plan on becoming a police officer. Some states do not require their officers to be college-educated, even if they may prefer it. Other states, like Minnesota, an Associates degree or equivalent training is one of the requirements to become a police officer.

Generally speaking, the training process for aspiring police officers follows two routes:

• Completing training by earning a two- or four-year degree in Criminal Justice or similar field from a Peace Officer Standings and Training -certified college or university, or
• Completing training through a government-approved police academy or training program.

Since police officer requirements differ, youll want to be sure to check with the agency that sets the standards for law enforcement training and licensure in your area. Some also have arrangements for military reciprocity, allowing candidates who served in the military to follow a different process in acknowledgement of the training they already have.

Whichever path you take, your training will include classroom instruction in state and local laws, covering topics like constitutional law, civil rights and police ethics. Recruits also receive training and supervised experience in areas such as patrol, traffic control, firearm use, self-defense, first aid and emergency response.

You May Like: Can You Search Police Reports

Is Becoming A Police Officer In Your Future

While the steps to becoming a police officer may seem lengthy, completing them is absolutely necessary if you want to achieve the fulfilling career youve set your sights on. And a good law enforcement program will help you navigate the process.

Now that youre familiar with the process of how to become a police officer, you may be curious if you have what it takes to excel on the job. Learn more in our article, Often Overlooked Qualities of a Great Police Officer.

If youre already set on becoming a police officer, visit our Law Enforcement degree page to learn how we can help you take the next step toward becoming a police officer in Minnesota.

The Law Enforcement programs at Rasmussen University are not aligned to the standards of any professional licensing body other than the MN POST and are not intended to satisfy professional licensure requirements of any professional licensing agency in any other state.Editors note: This article was originally published in June 2016. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2020. Insight from Shetler and Plantinga remain from the original.

Santa Fe Police Department

The starting pay for cadets is $19.11 per hour. The basic requirements are typical, as you need to be 21 with a high school diploma, plus no felonies or convictions involving moral turpitude. The selection process is typical as well. It involves the usual written tests, interviews medical and psych evaluations, background checks, and physical fitness tests.

Its physical fitness standards are exactly the same as that of the Las Cruces Police Department as they are based on the New Mexico Law Enforcement Agency Standards.

You May Like: How Do I Make A Police Report

New Training Programs Outside Of Apd

Both lateral hires and new cadets have to go through training before they can get on Albuquerques streets. Traditionally APD has run its own training academy. But in 2018, APD partnered with Central New Mexico Community College to start the CNM Law Enforcement Academy.

The CNM program can help train new officers alongside APDs academy. In December 2021, the CNM Law Enforcement Academy has more than a dozen new graduates, according to Ray Fritts, the director of the program. Fritts also worked for APD for more than 20 years as a patrol officer and trainer.

Even 10 or 15 additional for APD is helping them with their ultimate goal of adding officers, says Fritts. Whether it be one or 10 or 20, any little bit helps.

Adding officers is one thing, but Fritts says there are even bigger plans for the CNM program. He says that by providing a combination of hands-on and discussion-based training, the program aims to not just create more officers, but better officers as well.

The program curriculum includes all the officer training content that the New Mexico Department of Public Safety requires. But Fritts says its the fact that the CNM Law Enforcement Academy goes beyond the requirements that can lead to better officers.

The hope, then, is that the next generation of Albuquerque police will be better connected to the community. Fritts says the feedback, so far, has been positive. And he looks forward to expanding the program and improving the curriculum further.

Salary Benefits And Jobs Outlook

As new cops-in-training, academy recruits earn $18.97 per hour during basic training and that salary rises to $20.85 and $29.00 per hour after training and after one year of service, respectively.1 The APD also offers generous benefits including health and dental insurance, overtime pay, bonuses for college degrees, bilingual pay, and a take-home-a-car program.1 After 25 years of service, Albuquerque police officers are eligible to retire at 90% of the top pay level achieved during their service.1 The average salary for a patrol officer in Albuquerque is $51,210.3

The long-term projections for available jobs in law enforcement in New Mexico are promising for new recruits. Growth in this industry is expected to be positive with a 6.6% increase between now and 2022.4 This means that hopeful new cops in the state can expect to see an average of 150 new positions opening up each year.4 For more information on current APD law enforcement positions, take a look at our jobs board page.

Read Also: How To Become A Pittsburgh Police Officer

Albuquerque Police Department Information

The APD is divided into six different geographical area commands: Foothills, Northeast, Southeast, Valley, Southwest, and Northwest. The APD is committed to working with the community to eradicate crime and establish positive relationships. They hold a monthly Community Policing Council to hear from the residents of the city about concerns. The Department also hosts a Citizens Police Academy to teach residents about policing in the city. The Academy is free and lasts for 12 weeks. Those interested in attending must apply with the Department and be at least 18 years old.

Cities And Police Departments Near Austin

There are about 4,590 police and sheriffs patrol officers working in the greater Austin metro area.5 The Austin Police Department is the largest local PD, but there are many other PDs serving mid-sized and rural cities that provide career opportunities for police. The following table outlines statistics about police employment and crime rates in the Austin metro.

Read Also: How Can I Become A Police Dispatcher

Research The Basic Requirements Of Police Departments You Are Considering

US police agencies utilize a hiring process that involves a series of steps that take place over weeks or months and is focused on both weeding out undesirable candidates and identifying the recruits who possess the most desirable traits. While there are exceptions, in order to be considered for a typical position, a candidate must be a US citizen, 21 years of age, and hold a valid drivers license. Though there is some variation in educational requirements, the typical department requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. It has become more common for police departments to require recruits to have some college credit before applying. Some departments, however, do allow exceptions to college requirements for those with military service or prior law enforcement experience. Check with the PD to which you are interested in applying to learn specific details.

• Discover Policing The official job board of the International Association of Chiefs of Police
• Police One Search for and find police and law enforcement jobs anywhere in the country.

Becoming A Police Officer In Albuquerque New Mexico

The Albuquerque Police Department , which was founded in 1898, consists of 1,097 police officers that oversee 188 square miles and a population of nearly 546,000.

Step 1. Meet Minimum Requirements for Employment

All candidates for Albuquerque police jobs must meet minimum requirements for employment. You must therefore determine if you meet these minimum requirements before applying for a job with the Albuquerque Police Department:

• You must be at least 21 years old by the time you graduate from the police academy.
• You must have no misdemeanor convictions within the last 3 years.
• You must have a valid drivers license
• You must be a United States citizen.
• You must have no felony convictions.
• In the last 5 years you must have no DWI convictions.
• You must have no domestic violence convictions.
• In the last 3 years you must have no misdemeanor drug convictions.
• In the last 5 years you must have no felony drug convictions.
• You must have at least 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university. College credit requirements may be waived if you have at least 3 years of military service and an honorable discharge.

Step 2. Submit an Interest Card

Step 3. Complete Three-Day Testing

Step 4. Undergo a Background Investigation

Step 7. Pass Medical Examinations

Also Check: Can Anyone Access A Police Report