Police Service Aide
$1,500 bonus for new Police Service Aids
*Speak with recruiters for details
Police Service Aide Academy
An entry level position for those wanting to become law enforcement officers but do not yet meet the minimum requirements to do so.
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.
We are currently accepting applications for the PSA Academy.
PSA Class #48 has been scheduled for October 14, 2024
Upcoming Two Day Testing Dates
August 19 - 20, 2023
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: 5412 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87107
September 9 -10, 2023
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: 5412 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87107
September 23-24, 2023
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: 5412 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87107
Job Duties
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.
Selection Process
- Interest Card
- Personal History Statement
- Additional Documents Required
- Nelson Denny Test
- Background Investigation
- Chief’s Selection Committee
- City of Albuquerque Employment Application
- Medical Exam/Drug Screen
Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age.
- You must have a valid driver’s license and obtain a New Mexico driver’s license within 30 days of your hire date.
- You must be a United States citizen or have a valid work permit.
- You 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 contendre 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.
- An applicant cannot have been convicted of a Domestic Violence Act. Domestic related arrests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
- No misdemeanor convictions within the last 3 years from the date of initial testing. Misdemeanor arrests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
- No DWI convictions within the last five years from the date of initial testing, whether from an administrative sanction by a Motor Vehicle Department, criminal conviction, or military disciplinary action. Multiple DWIs in the most recent 10 year period disqualifies an individual as an applicant. (Multiple is defined as 2 or more DWIs). DWI arrests will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
- Marijuana use within 6 months of applying may be disqualifying (regardless of your age).
- No use in the last 2 years of any illegal misdemeanor drug (excluding marijuana).
- No use in the last 5 years of any illegal felony drug (includes felony prescription drug use).
- Any financial accounts referred to collections, written or charged off will be reviewed on a case by case basis and may result in disqualification.
Physical Fitness Requirements
- No longer required
Benefits
The benefits of becoming one of Albuquerque’s finest speak for themselves.
- Retirement
All City of Albuquerque police service aides participate in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). - Holiday Pay
Legal holidays for police service aides 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 plans. - Vacation Leave Accrual
- Sick Leave Accrual
Sick leave will accrue as follows:3.70 hours per pay period
Salary
Become an Albuquerque Police Service Aide, you will receive:
- The opportunity to have your retire after 30 years of service (25 for Police Officers).
Police Service Aide
- $17.61/ hour
Frequently Asked Questions
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:
- Arms
- Hands
- Legs
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/