Conservation Officer

• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• No felony convictions. Criminal activity in which applicant has been convicted of, pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge, been involved in any prosecution diversion program (PPP) as adjudicated for a felony crime committed will be permanently disqualified. Felony arrests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
• No misdemeanor convictions within the last three (3) years from the date of initial testing. Applicants who within 3 years preceding their written test date, have been convicted of, pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendre to any violation of federal law, state law, or local ordinance that would be classified as a misdemeanor crime, will be reviewed on an individual basis and may be cause for disqualification (does not include minor traffic violations).  Misdemeanor arrests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
• No DWI convictions within the last five (5) years from the date of initial testing, whether from an administrative sanction by a Motor Vehicle Department, criminal conviction, or military disciplinary action. Two (2) or more DWIs in the most recent ten (10) year period disqualifies an individual as an applicant.  DWI arrests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
• An applicant cannot have been convicted of a Domestic Violence Act.  Domestic related arrests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• No use in the last two (2) years of any illegal drug that would amount to a misdemeanor crime if found in possession (includes marijuana).
• No use in the last five (5) years of any illegal drug that would amount to a felony crime if found in possession (includes felony prescription drug use).
• Any history of discipline, termination or resignation in lieu of termination is grounds for disqualification.
• Any financial accounts referred to collections, written or charged off will be reviewed on a case by case basis and may result in disqualification.
• In state laterals must be currently certified. Out of state laterals must be currently certified and their certification must be recognized and approved by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.
• Any pending administrative actions with any board or commissions will be reviewed and may be cause for disqualification. This shall include reviewing history of using lethal and less lethal force, determining whether the applicant has been named in a civil or criminal action, and assessing use of force training records and complaint history.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a New Mexico Law Enforcement Certificate or successfully meet the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Certification by Waiver training requirements and eligibility standards.
• Applicants must meet New Mexico Department of Public Safety minimum standards prior to completing probation.
• Must complete an abbreviated APD Lateral Academy.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and obtain a New Mexico driver’s (Class D) license within 30 days of your date of hire.
• Possession of a City Operator’s Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.
• Must serve a one (1) year probationary period from the APD Lateral Academy graduation date.
• When assigned to Open Space: 
• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, environmental/wildlife management, earth and planetary science or other physical science is preferred.
• Must be willing to complete community engagement activities regarding City of Albuquerque Open Space Areas.
• Must be willing to be on-call.

1. Interest Card
2. Personal History Statement (PHS)
3. Nelson Denny Exam
4. Additional Documents Required
5. Written Psychological Exam
6. Background Investigation
7. Polygraph Exam
8. Psychological Assessment
9. Chief’s Selection Committee
10. Executive Review
11. City of Albuquerque Employment Application
12. Medical Exam/Drug Screen

All Conservation Officers must successfully complete Lateral Academy 

Conservation Officers must attend a Lateral Police Academy. The Lateral Police Academy is a condensed program in which officers become familiar with the City of Albuquerque city ordinances and the Albuquerque Police Department’s standard operating procedures.

• $15,000 Hiring Bonus

The benefits of becoming one of Albuquerque’s finest speak for themselves.

• Retirement
  All City of Albuquerque police officer employees, with the exception of Rehires,  participate in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). The opportunity to retire after 25 years of service!
• Take Home Car Program
  All police officers that successfully complete one year probation, will be issued a patrol vehicle for their use during working hours.  Officers must live within the boundaries established by the Chief of Police.
• College Incentive
  Police officers who have degrees, will receive the following additional pay incentive. There are two pay periods per month. Officers will be paid for only one degree at the highest academic level obtained.
  • Bachelor’s degree $62.31 biweekly ($1620.06 annually)
  • Master’s degree $73.85 biweekly ($1920.10 annually)
  • PHD $85.38 biweekly ($2,219.88 annually)
• Shift Differential
  Police officers who work the following shifts will receive shift differential pay. There are two pay periods per month.
  • Swing Shift $11.54 biweekly ($300 annually)
  • Graveyard $23.08 biweekly ($600 annually)
• Bilingual Pay
  An officer shall qualify for bilingual pay upon demonstrating an acceptable level of reading, writing and conversational proficiency. Job-related material will be used in determining the reading, writing and conversational proficiency. The certification of proficiency will be established by an expert selected by the H.R.P. Committee. Officers who are certified in all three proficiency areas shall be paid $23.08 per pay period. Should an officer only pass the conversational portion of the test, that officer shall be paid $9.23 per pay period.
• Holiday Pay
  Legal holidays for police officers shall be as follows:
  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King’s Birthday
  • President’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Indigenous People’s Day
  • Veteran’s Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day After Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day
  • Police officers shall receive holiday pay at straight time at their hourly rate for either 8 or 10 hours based on their normal work shift for all holidays not worked. In the event a police officers is required to work on a holiday, and does not exercise an option to take a floating holiday, he/she shall be paid holiday pay as mentioned above, plus time-and-one-half (1 and ½) for the first 8 hours if on a normal work shift of 10 hours, plus 2 hours straight compensatory time.A police officer may float any or all of the holidays mentioned in the above listed paragraph. A floating holiday is one that the employee may convert to vacation either eight (8) or ten (10) hours per holiday depending on their normal workday anytime after the actual holiday has occurred. A floating holiday can also be used as an additional vacation day if used within the same pay period of the holiday.
• Compensatory Time
  Police officers will be entitled to be compensated at 1 and ½ times the officer’s rate of pay or in the form of compensatory time. Compensatory time will be computed at the rate of 1 and ½ times the hours actually worked.You have the opportunity to earn 150 hours of compensation
• Medical, Hospitalization and Dental Insurance
  The City of Albuquerque provides medical, hospitalization and dental plan
• Police Officer Laterals have an added incentive!  Each lateral hire, upon completion of the officer’s academy training, shall be credited with 40 hours of sick leave.
• Unions
  Albuquerque Police Officer Association, (APOA)
• Associations
  • Latino Police Officers Association, (LPOA)
  • Chicano Police Officers Association, (CPOA)
  • Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
• Tuition Assistance and Educational Leave

Become an Albuquerque Police Officer and you will receive:

• The opportunity to retire  after 25 years of dedicated service.

Conservation Officer

• Hourly Rate $31.49 – Current Certified Lateral who possess less than 24 months of experience as a Police Officer.
• Hourly Rate $34.91 – Current Certified Lateral who possess at least 24 months of experience as a Police Officer who worked for a law enforcement agency (post academy/probationary experience) with full police powers and duties.
• Hourly Rate $30.00– Non Sworn Applicant that requires certification by attending full academy.

Q: Do you have a tattoo policy?

A: Yes, tattoos are permissible to be shown in public, while in the duty uniform, on the following areas:

• Legs
• Arms
• Hands

Q:  Do I get paid while in the police academy?

A: Yes.  You start earning salary and benefits the first day of the academy.

Q: How do I get a ride along?

A: Contact one of the six area commands and request approval through the Area Commander.

Q: How long does the selection process usually take?

A: It can take anywhere from 3 to 9 months, but it varies.

Q: How long do I have to work patrol?

A: You are on probation for one year from the date of graduation from the academy.  Depending on what specialized unit you are interested in, you may have to work a minimum of two years non-probationary (investigative units) or four years non-probationary (tactical units).

Q: If I have a background investigation done with another agency, or have a top secret clearance in the military, will APD still do a background check?

A: Yes, APD’s Background Unit will conduct its own thorough background investigation on everyone who makes it through weekend testing.

Q: How many trips will out of state applicants need to make to complete the selection process?

A: A minimum of two trips are required.  The first trip encompasses weekend testing.  The second trip encompasses the polygraph, psychological interview and  consists of the chief’s selection committee.  The medical exam will be completed once the out of state applicant moves to Albuquerque to begin the police academy.

Q: How long is the police academy?

A: The police academy for Lateral Officer is approximately 6-9 weeks.

Q: Is it a live in academy?

A: The academy is not a live in academy, so you are allowed to go home at the end of every day.  Lateral Police Officer generally work day shift; however some swing shifts are required depending on the phase of training.

Q: Where do most applicants get dropped in the process?

A: Lying, omitting or minimizing facts is where most applicants get dropped.  Usually, the act in and of itself would not disqualify the applicant, but because an integrity violation occurs, the applicant is disqualified.

Q: Do I have to be a United States Citizen to become a Lateral Police Officer?

A: Yes, you must be a United States Citizen

Q: What if I cannot locate my high school diploma?

A: A letter from your high school on official school letter head with the school seal stating you did in fact attend and your graduation date will suffice.

Q: What if I cannot locate all the documents required prior to my testing weekend?

A: If we ask for it, we need it.  Bring what you have.  For each document you are missing, attach a sheet of paper that says what it is you are missing.  Your background file will not be worked until all documents are provided.

Q: Are you accepting lateral transfers?

A: Yes.  Please see the “becoming an officer” tab for qualifications.

Q:  How can I submit an application?

A:  Please click the “Apply Now” tab from the home page.

Q: What is the age limit for Lateral Officer applicants?

A:  There is no upper age limit.

Q: Will I have to purchase my own gear or will the department pay for it?

A: You will need to buy your uniforms, shoes and accessories.  The department will provide a gun belt and firearm.

Q: Do I need any college credits to be eligible to test as a police cadet?

A: No.

Q: What happens after I graduate from the Lateral Police Officer academy?

A: You are on probation for the first year.  For the first 12 – 17 weeks of that probation (at minimum) you are on on-the-job training (OJT).  Each phase you are with a different field training officer.  OJT is a practical application of what you learned in the Lateral police academy.

Q: What is a Notary, and how do I find one?

A: A Notary Public is an official of integrity appointed by state government to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts related to the signing of important documents. Notaries can often be found at your local bank or by searching online.

Q: How do I get proof of my Selective Service Registration?

A: This link should provide you information to obtain your proof of regisitration:  https://www.sss.gov/verify/