Las Vegas is home to over 670,000 residents and one of the country’s most rapidly growing metropolitan areas.1 The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is the primary law enforcement authority for the City of Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County, with 3,387 sworn officers serving the city and surrounding region.2 The department is actively recruiting qualified candidates for sworn police officer positions. Men and women interested in joining the LVMPD will find information on the requirements, training academy, and career path below.

Las Vegas Police Officer Requirements

To be eligible for a police recruit position with the LVMPD, candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:3

  • Be at least 20.5 years of age by the date of the first examination
  • Be a US citizen by the date of the first examination
  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Possess a valid Nevada driver’s license at the time of hire
  • Be eligible to possess a firearm under Nevada and federal law

Candidates begin the process by submitting an online application through the LVMPD’s recruitment portal. Those who pass the initial screening are invited to take a written examination, which is weighted at 100% of the exam score, and a physical fitness exam administered on the same date. Applicants who pass both tests advance to a background investigation that includes a detailed personal history statement, document verification, and records review. A medical examination and psychological evaluation complete the process. Candidates who successfully clear all stages are offered placement in an upcoming police recruit academy class. For more information about becoming a law enforcement officer, see 10 Steps to Becoming a Police Officer on our homepage. To apply, visit the LVMPD recruitment site.

LVMPD Police Recruit Academy

The LVMPD Police Recruit Academy is held at the Jerry Keller Training Center in Las Vegas and runs 26 to 28 weeks.3 Training is structured in two phases. The first, the Operations Phase, covers the foundational knowledge, legal standards, and patrol procedures required of a commissioned officer. The second, the Tactics Phase, advances that foundation with instruction in tactical decision-making, firearms proficiency, and emergency vehicle operation. Physical conditioning and defensive tactics are woven throughout both phases. Recruits are evaluated through a series of written tests and must pass the Nevada Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (POST) examination before graduating. Upon completing the academy, officers enter the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) for 24 weeks of supervised patrol work before receiving a solo assignment.3

Salary, Benefits, and Jobs Outlook

Officers are commissioned as Police Officer I at an entry salary of $65,873.60 and automatically reclassify to Police Officer II upon completing the 18-month probationary period.4 From there, LVMPD uses a step-based pay scale: within each classification, officers advance one step per year through annual merit increases, moving steadily up the salary range shown below. Reclassification to a higher grade occurs at set career milestones — 10, 15, and 20 years of consecutive service — bringing a jump to the next pay range. Each range reflects the full span from the entry step of that grade to the top step, reached after several years of annual increases.4

ClassificationYears of ServiceAnnual Salary Range
Police Officer II18 months — 10 years$72,633.60 — $103,376.00
Police Officer III10 — 14 years$75,524.80 — $107,494.40
Police Officer IV15 — 19 years$78,561.60 — $111,800.00
Police Officer V20+ years$81,702.40 — $116,272.00

Officers also receive a $2,100 annual clothing allowance, shift differential pay for non-standard hours, and bilingual pay for those who qualify. Education incentive pay is an annual lump sum: $600 for an associate’s degree, $1,200 for a bachelor’s degree, and $1,467 for a master’s degree or higher. Overtime is compensated at 1.5 times the regular rate, with a four-hour minimum for callback assignments.4

Benefits include employer-paid health, vision, and dental coverage for the officer; dependent coverage is available at a reduced payroll deduction. Officers are enrolled in the Nevada Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) at no cost to the employee, with full vesting after five years of service. Nevada collects no state or city income tax. Officers accrue vacation leave starting at three weeks per year, increasing with tenure, along with 13 paid holidays and 104 hours of sick leave annually with unlimited accrual.4

Nevada employment of police and sheriff’s patrol officers is projected to grow 7.2% from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 530 new positions added each year on average, according to Projections Central.5 In the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas metropolitan area, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of $85,740 for police and sheriff’s patrol officers as of May 2024.6 Find open Las Vegas police officer listings on our jobs board.

Career Advancement at LVMPD

All LVMPD officers begin their careers on patrol. After advancing to Police Officer II classification, officers become eligible to sit for the sergeant’s promotional examination, which requires at least six years of service as an LVMPD Police Officer II.7 Under the PMSA Collective Bargaining Agreement, which governs supervisory ranks, sergeant pay is set at 26.25% above the Police Officer II scale, lieutenant pay at 20% above sergeant, and captain pay at 25.5% above lieutenant.8 Promotion to lieutenant requires at least three years as a sergeant and completion of 60 college credits; promotion to captain requires at least two years as a lieutenant and 90 college credits.7

Officers may also pursue specialty assignments in units such as the Organized Crime Bureau, Gang Crimes Bureau, Robbery/Homicide Bureau, K-9, SWAT, Traffic Bureau, Airport Bureau, Crimes Against Youth and Family Bureau, and Financial Crimes Bureau, among others. Above captain, command-level positions are filled by appointment.

Cities and Police Departments Near Las Vegas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 4,080 police and sheriff’s patrol officers were employed in the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas metropolitan area as of May 2024, with a mean annual wage of $85,740.6 Law enforcement professionals in the region can also explore opportunities with the Henderson Police Department and the North Las Vegas Police Department. For more information about police departments across the state, see our Nevada page.

Additional Resources

  • Las Vegas Fraternal Order of Police — The Las Vegas FOP works to improve officer safety and working conditions and provides professional development opportunities for its members.
  • Las Vegas Police Protective Association — The LVPPA is the collective bargaining unit representing Las Vegas metropolitan police officers and maintains current contract and pay schedule information for members.
  • Las Vegas Sheriff’s Protective Association — A member-driven organization offering emergency financial assistance, death benefits, family support services, and professional networking for LVMPD officers.

LVMPD Contact

References:
1. US Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, Las Vegas, NV: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lasvegascitynevada/PST045224
2. Gutierrez, Melissa, and Tom Christoff. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Fusion Watch. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice, 2024: https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov/resourcecenter/content.ashx/cops-r1172-pub.pdf
3. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Recruitment: https://www.joinlvmpd.com/
4. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Collective Bargaining Agreement, July 1, 2023 — June 30, 2027: https://lvppa.com/member-benefits/contracts/
5. Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections, Nevada: https://projectionscentral.org/longterm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0029820
7. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Police Sergeant Class Specification: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lvmpd/classspecs/1017453
8. Las Vegas Police Managers and Supervisors Association and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Collective Bargaining Agreement, July 1, 2020 — June 30, 2025: https://emrb.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/emrbnvgov/content/Resources/police/Las%20Vegas%20Metro%20Police%20and%20PMSA.pdf