Contact Us At
505-343-5040
The Albuquerque Police Department’s Police Service Aide Academy provides each PSA with the classroom knowledge and practical skills necessary to function as a PSA. Classroom instruction areas include the criminal justice system, law, physical fitness, patrol and traffic investigations. These areas are taught by the Police Academy certified instructors.
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: 5412 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87107
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: 5412 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87107
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: 5412 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87107
A PSA assists officers on patrol with traffic accidents, misdemeanor offenses, delivery of paperwork, parking enforcement and many other duties and responsibilities. The PSA program allows PSAs to learn about the Albuquerque Police Department’s policies and procedures prior to entering the Police Academy as a Police Cadet.
Those enrolled in college, must take a semester off in order to attend the full time, 6 to 9 week training program. Upon completion of training, individuals can then re-enroll in college the following semester.
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.
3.70 hours per pay period
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:
Q: Do I get paid while in the police service aide 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 for a Police Service Aide applicant?
A: It can take anywhere from 1 to 3 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 Service Aide academy?
A: The police service aide academy is approximately 6 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. Police service aide cadets generally work Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
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 Police Service Aide?
A: No, you can either be a United States Citizen or have a valid work permit to become a Police Service Aide
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: Can I attend college and be a Police Service Aide at the same time?
A: You can, however it will be extremely difficult. The Police Service Aide position is full time, so your class schedule will need to be organized around your work schedule.
Q: How can I submit an application?
A: Please click the “Apply Now” tab from the home page.
Q: What is the age limit?
A: There is no upper age limit. The physical fitness requirements for police service aides has been removed.
Q: Do I need any college credits to be eligible to test as a police service aide?
A: No.
Q: What happens after I graduate from the police service aide academy?
A: You are on probation for the first year. For the first 6 weeks of that probation (at minimum) you are on on-the-job training (OJT). You will spend 3 weeks with two different field training PSAs. OJT is a practical application of what you learned in the police service aide 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 registration: https://www.sss.gov/verify/