LAS CRUCES – The Las Cruces Police Department will begin accepting applications Monday, July 6, for its 57th Police Academy, with training scheduled to begin in January 2027.
The paid 22-week academy is accepting applications for Police Cadet positions through Sept. 16, 2026. Applications will be available online beginning Monday.
Cadets earn a starting wage of $24 per hour while attending the academy. After graduation, recruits become officer trainees earning $26 per hour. Those who successfully complete a one-year probationary period are promoted to patrol officers with a starting pay of $30.28 per hour.
LCPD is also offering hiring incentives for recruits who commit to three years of service. Incentives range from $11,000 for new cadets to as much as $30,000 for applicants with a master’s degree in sociology, psychology, criminal justice, or criminology. Some recruits relocating from outside Las Cruces may also qualify for up to $5,000 in relocation assistance.
The department says officers who complete probation earn 256 hours of annual leave each year, including annual, personal, and sick leave, while working four 10-hour shifts each week.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have authorization to work in the United States, be at least 19 years old when the academy begins, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and have no felony convictions.
The Las Cruces Police Department is currently staffed with 183 commissioned officers and is budgeted for 198 positions. The six-week pre-academy begins before the start of the 22-week training academy.
Prospective applicants can learn more and apply through the Las Cruces Police Department’s online recruitment portal.
By John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications – John@BravoMic.com
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