Police Cadet

Police Cadet

Salary

$24.00 Hourly

Location

700 N. Main St., Las Cruces, NM

Job Type

Full-time Temporary

Job Number

2010 07-26 EN

Department

Police

Opening Date

07/06/2025

Closing Date

9/12/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Nature of Work

Temporary, full-time non-exempt position with the Las Cruces Police Academy. Progression to full-time, regular position upon successful completion of the Police Academy. Depending on the number of vacancies, some academy graduates may not be hired immediately but may be placed on a waiting list.

Offering the following recruitment and retention incentive payment with a 36 month commitment.

Incentive LevelAmountBase Level$11,000.00Associates Degree

$15,000.00

Bachelors Degree/Retirement from Military Service/4 Years Honorable Military Service

$20,000.00

Bachelors Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Criminology $25,000.00Masters Degree/Doctorate in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Criminology

$30,000.00

Relocation Assistance

Eligibility will be determined by HR $5,000.00

Basic Officer Payout Schedule PercentageUpon Completion of Week 12 of the Basic Academy10%Upon Graduation from the Basic Academy20%At the Completion of Field Training30%One Day Prior to the End of the Probationary Year40%Relocation Assistance will be paid upon hire to those eligible per HR100%

Under immediate supervision, actively participates in the Las Cruces Police Academy training program. Performs all related learning and testing activities at a training level for preparation as a Police Officer.

Must be free of felony convictions. Position is subject to extended work hours when necessary; multiple tasks; strict deadlines; and exposure to serious bodily harm. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of an experienced Police Officer, performs formal and informal training in the Las Cruces Police Academy training program.
• Studies, attends classes, completes homework assignments, takes tests, and follows all instructions relative to the academy curriculum and behavior.
• Attends indoor and outdoor classes and training sessions for preparation as a Police Officer.
• Learns criminal law, arrest and control techniques, use of firearms, report writing, vehicle operation, First Aid, CPR, narcotics, crowd control, court room demeanor, public relations, patrol procedures, physical conditioning and training, and any other subjects included in the academy.
• Performs tasks employing patrol methods, community relations, courtroom procedures, fingerprinting, report preparation, physical agility and strength formulation, and other police officer-related duties commensurate with attained skills.
• May assist an Officer in patrolling assigned areas of the City in a car, bicycle, or on foot.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City and Department policies, procedures, and safety practices.

Minimum Qualifications

Equivalent to a United States high school diploma; must be at least age 19 by start of the Police Academy (anticipated April 2027); United States citizenship (born or naturalized) or individuals with work authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services; no felony convictions; no DWI/DUI or misdemeanor convictions within the past three years (some misdemeanors will disqualify); no transportation of illegal drugs; drug usage may disqualify.

Valid drivers license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Standard First Aid and CPR certification.

DETAILED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must be at least age 19 by start of the Police Academy (anticipated April 2027)

2. United States citizenship (born or naturalized) or individuals with work authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services

3. Valid drivers license

4. Valid high school diploma or equivalent (GED)

5. No misdemeanor convictions within the last three (3) years (Misdemeanor convictions do not include routine traffic citations unless the conviction is for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, or an equivalent offense from another jurisdiction. For purposes of this recruitment, a conviction includes a plea of guilty, a plea of no contest, or a finding of guilt by a judge or jury.)

6. No convictions of domestic violence

7. No felony convictions

8. Marijuana use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must refrain from the use of marijuana and all cannabis products beginning on the date their application is submitted.

9.Applicants must also have no illegal steroid or illegal narcotic use within the past three (3) years.

10. Must not have ever transported illegal drugs

11. Must not have a Dishonorable Discharge from the US Military. The position has a preference for a degree or a minimum of 65 college credit hours. Sealed official transcripts or notarized copy of diploma is required prior to preference being applied. These documents must be submitted at the background investigation phase of the hiring process.

To view a summary of benefits offered by the City of Las Cruces,

Benefits - Home

01

The email(s) you receive will contain further information regarding this selection process. I understand and accept that I will be contacted via email with additional information and/or instructions including those to submit copies of certifications, transcripts(if applicable), and the required personal history statement. Please monitor your email account on a regular basis for any communications related to this recruitment. Adding this email address to your list of contacts may reduce the possibility of missing upcoming announcements regarding this process or the status of your application. We also recommend adding this address to your SPAM and junk email filters as a "safe sender".

• Yes
• No

02

I will be at least 19 years of age by the start of the Police Academy (anticipated April 2027).

• Yes
• No

03

Are you a United States citizen either born or naturalized or are you authorized to work by the Citizenship and Immigration Services?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have the minimum requirement of a United States high school diploma or equivalent (GED)? (If you fail to include this information under the education section of your application, you may be disqualified from the process.)

• Yes
• No

05

I understand and accept that the minimum requirements for this position will include a thorough background investigation. I understand and accept that the following are disqualifiers: misdemeanor convictions within the last three (3) years; convictions of domestic violence; felony convictions; no marijuana or other cannabis product use from the date the application is submitted; no illegal steroid or illegal narcotic use within the last three (3) years; transportation of illegal drugs; Dishonorable Discharge from the US Military.

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have a valid drivers License?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a current First Aid/CPR certification?

• Yes
• No

08

I understand and accept that if I am considered for this position, I must obtain a First Aid/CPR certification prior to the completion of the Police Academy. If I do not obtain a First Aid/CPR certification, I may be disqualified from the recruitment process.

• Yes
• No

09

The position has a preference for a degree or a minimum of 65 college credit hours. Sealed official transcripts or notarized copy of diploma is required prior to preference being applied. These documents must be submitted at the background investigation phase of the hiring process.

• No college or less
• Minimum of 65
• Associate Degree or above
• Bachelors Degree or Above

10

I understand that I must refrain from marijuana and all cannabis products beginning the date application is submitted.

• Yes
• No

11

Have you refrained from using illegal steroids or illegal narcotics in the past three years?

• Yes
• No

12

I understand that I will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening and that my compliance may be verified during the background investigation and polygraph examination.

• Yes
• No

13

Where did you hear about the hiring of this position? Choose one or all that apply.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Billboard
• Radio
• Newspaper
• Television
• Recruitment Table
• City Website
• Friend/Family Referral

14

If you choose "Other" in question #11, please indicate what other source in the text box provided.

Required Question

Employer City of Las Cruces

Address P.O. Box 20000

Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88004

Phone 575-528-3100

575-528-3100

Website http://www.lascruces.gov