Albuquerque is New Mexico’s largest city, with a population of over 560,000 residents spread across 187 square miles.3 The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) employs approximately 895 sworn officers and recruits both entry-level candidates and experienced lateral officers.2 Information on the application requirements, selection process, and academy training for becoming an APD officer is outlined below.

Albuquerque Police Officer Requirements

To be considered for a position with the APD, candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:1

  • Be at least 21 years of age by the time of academy graduation
  • Hold US citizenship or work authorization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services
  • Possess a valid driver’s license (a New Mexico license must be obtained within 30 days of hire)
  • Hold a high school diploma or GED

Candidates who meet these requirements begin the process by creating an account and submitting an interest card through the APD’s online portal. Those who qualify are evaluated through a structured eight-step selection process that includes a written exam, a personal history statement, documentation review, a background investigation, a polygraph examination, a psychological assessment, a chief’s selection committee interview, and a medical exam with drug screening. A physical abilities test — requiring at least 15 push-ups per minute, at least 27 sit-ups per minute, a 1.5-mile run completed in 15:14 or less, and a 300-meter run completed in 71 seconds or less — is administered separately, two to four weeks before the academy start date. The full process typically takes between three and nine months. To apply, visit the APD Police Officer recruiting page.

For a broader overview of law enforcement hiring, see 10 Steps to Becoming a Police Officer on our home page.

Albuquerque Police Department Academy

Newly hired APD officers attend the department’s Law Enforcement Academy, an approximately 26-week program conducted at 40 hours of instruction per week.1 The curriculum covers the criminal justice system, criminal and traffic law, patrol operations, investigative techniques, physical fitness, defensive tactics, firearms training, and police vehicle operations. Courses are taught by certified instructors following New Mexico Department of Public Safety lesson plans. Officers who successfully complete the academy are eligible for New Mexico State Law Enforcement certification. After graduation, officers complete a field training rotation with experienced officers before beginning their one-year probationary period on patrol.

Salary, Benefits, and Jobs Outlook

APD officers begin earning a salary and accruing benefits from the first day of the academy. The table below reflects the department’s current pay scale by rank.1

RankHourly RateAnnual Equivalent
Police Cadet (academy)$30.75$63,960
Police Officer 2nd Class — upon academy graduation$31.49$65,499
Police Officer 1st Class — after probationary period$38.10$79,248
Senior Police Officer 1st Class — years 5 through 14$39.41$81,973
Master Police Officer 1st Class — year 15 and above$41.39$86,091

Officers may also receive additional compensation through longevity pay (beginning at year four of eligible service), shift differential pay, bilingual pay, specialty unit pay, and college incentive pay — $2,600 per year for a bachelor’s degree, $3,900 for a master’s degree, and $5,200 for a doctorate. The APD provides medical, hospitalization, and dental benefit options, along with vacation and sick leave accrual. Officers who complete their one-year probationary period are eligible to participate in the department’s take-home vehicle program. APD officers are eligible to retire after 25 years of service.1 Officers may also contribute to the NM PERA SmartSave plan, a voluntary 457(b) deferred compensation plan that functions similarly to an unmatched 401(k) and allows contributions on a pre-tax or Roth basis.

New Mexico employment of police and sheriff’s patrol officers is projected to grow 8.8% from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 400 new positions added each year on average, according to Projections Central.5 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 1,770 police and sheriff’s patrol officers work in the Albuquerque metropolitan area, with a mean annual wage of $69,600 as of May 2024.4 Find open APD positions on our jobs board.

Career Advancement at APD

All APD officers begin their careers in patrol and serve a one-year probationary period following academy graduation. After completing probation, officers interested in investigative unit assignments must accumulate at least two years of non-probationary patrol experience; those pursuing tactical assignments such as SWAT or K-9 must have at least four years of non-probationary service. The APD does not publish salary figures for promoted ranks on its recruitment site — officers seeking information on sergeant and above compensation should contact the department’s recruiting office directly or consult the Albuquerque Police Officers’ Association.

Cities and Police Departments Near Albuquerque

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 1,770 police and sheriff’s patrol officers work in the Albuquerque metropolitan area, with a mean annual wage of $69,600 as of May 2024.4 Law enforcement professionals in the region can also explore opportunities with the Bernalillo Police Department, the Los Lunas Police Department, the Rio Rancho Police Department, the Santa Fe Police Department, and the Socorro Police Department. For more information about police departments across the state, see our New Mexico page.

Additional Resources

  • Albuquerque Police Officers’ Association: The professional association and bargaining unit for APD officers, providing member representation, legal resources, and support for charitable programs in the Albuquerque community.
  • New Mexico Fraternal Order of Police: New Mexico’s state chapter of the nation’s largest police organization, representing officers across 13 lodges statewide and advocating for their professional and legislative interests since 1954.

APD Contact

1. Albuquerque Police Department Recruiting: https://www.apdonline.com/officer-positions/police-officer/
2. Albuquerque Police Department, 2024 Annual Use of Force Report: https://www.cabq.gov/police/public-reports
3. US Census Bureau, QuickFacts, Albuquerque city, New Mexico: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/albuquerquecitynewmexico/PST045224
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Albuquerque, NM: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0010740
5. Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections, New Mexico: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm