The Las Cruces Police Department is on the lookout for recruits, as it opens applications for its upcoming training academy slated to begin in January of 2026. Aspiring cadets are encouraged to throw their hats into the ring by September 8 to secure a spot in the rigorous 22-week program, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.
For those willing to serve and protect, the LCPD cadets can expect a starting wage of $24 an hour, with an overtime rate of $36, as cited by their recent announcement. Once the academy is completed, officer trainees get a pay bump to $26 per hour and $39 for overtime. The culmination of a year's probation will see them patrolling the streets at $28.84 per hour, and pocketing around $43 for each overtime hour.
To attract quality candidates, LCPD has rolled out a series of hiring incentives pegged to educational achievements and military service. Depending on one's academic or service background, new cadets may receive between $11,000 and $30,000 in bonuses. The Las Cruces government website details these bonuses, highlighting top rewards for master's degrees in targeted fields such as sociology, psychology, criminal justice, or criminology.
The department also recognizes the work-life balance necessary for its officers’ well-being and is now offering more leave or vacation time. First-year officers, after completing their one-year probation, earn 256 hours of leave each year, "That includes 80 hours of annual leave, 80 hours of personal leave, and 96 hours of sick leave," the department pointed out. Officers are set to work four 10-hour shifts a week, granting them substantial time to unwind, recharge, or tend to personal matters.
Prospective applicants must meet several criteria to be considered for the position, which includes being a U.S. citizen or possessing work authorization from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. They must also be at least 19 years old by academy commencement, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a clean record free from felony convictions.
