Join the 109th Recruit Class
Answer the Call. Protect and Serve New Mexico.
Step Up to a career
Our recruit academy offers rigorous training, strong support, andunmatched opportunities for personal growth. Ready to make a difference?
Application Deadline for Next Class
September 30, 2026
Deadline is Approaching Fast Apply Today!
Deadline is Approaching Fast Apply Today!
Your New Career Begins Here
What to Expect
Our 20-week academy is designed to transform you from a recruit into a prepared, confident officer. Here, you’ll learn essential skills, build strength and resilience, and gain the knowledge needed to serve and protect our communities.
PHASE 1
Physical Conditioning
Prepare yourself physically and mentally for the challenges ahead. This phase includes endurance training, strength-building exercises, and agility drills. You’ll undergo rigorous routines like long-distance runs, high-intensity interval training, and obstacle courses to ensure you have the stamina, strength, and speed needed for any situation in the line of duty.
PHASE 2
Classroom Instruction
Gain a deep understanding of the principles that guide law enforcement. In this academic phase, recruits engage in courses covering topics like criminal law, New Mexico statutes, ethical decision-making, and community engagement. Instruction is designed to sharpen your judgment and communication skills, empowering you to navigate complex legal and ethical scenarios with professionalism.
PHASE 3
Fieldwork & Practical Skills
Experience the practical side of policing with immersive, hands-on training. This phase may include simulated tactical exercises, where you’ll learn how to assess threats and respond decisively, defensive driving courses to master pursuit and evasion techniques, and situational training that covers arrest tactics, crowd control, and conflict de-escalation. Each exercise is crafted to prepare you for real-life challenges, ensuring you’re ready for the demands of active duty.
Minimum Qualifications
Are you eligible to join?
Are you ready to join the ranks of New Mexico’s finest?
Are you ready to join the ranks of New Mexico’s finest? Here’s what it takes to be eligible for the New Mexico State Police recruit program:
Age: You must be at least 21 years old by the time you graduate from the academy.
Citizenship: U.S. citizenship is required to serve with the New Mexico State Police.
Education: A high school diploma or GED is required to ensure a strong foundation for training.
Character: We uphold the highest standards. Applicants must have a clean criminal record with no felony convictions and demonstrate good moral character.
Must not have a dishonorable discharge: For those with prior military service, a dishonorable discharge is disqualifying.
Vision Requirements: You must have 20/30 corrected or 20/100 uncorrected vision.
Strict Anti-Drug Policy: Applicants must comply with a rigorous drug-use policy.
Minimum Qualifications
Physical Fitness Standards
Physical fitness is crucial to your success in the academy and beyond. You’ll need to meet and maintain the following standards.
Requirements
To succeed in the New Mexico State Police Academy, recruits must demonstrate a strong level of physical fitness. Here’s what you’ll need to accomplish:
These requirements reflect the physical demands of a career in law enforcement. Start preparing now to build the strength, speed, and resilience needed to excel in the academy and in the field!
300-Meter Sprint
Finish in 71 seconds or less.
1.5 Mile Run
Complete within 15 minutes and 14 seconds. (If training above 6,000 feet elevation, you have an additional 40 seconds.)
Sit Ups
Perform 27 sit-ups in one minute to test core strength and endurance.
Push Ups
Complete 15 push-ups in one minute, demonstrating upper body strength.
YOUR PATH TO BECOMING AN OFFICER
THE RECRUIT
HIRING PROCESS
Joining the New Mexico State Police is a challenging and rewarding journey designed to identify, train, and develop the best candidates for service. Our multi-step process ensures that each recruit is fully prepared for the demands of a career in law enforcement. Here’s what to expect as you take the first steps on your path to becoming a New Mexico State Police Officer:
Apply NowPhysical and Written Exam
Begin with a test of both your physical readiness and your academic abilities. On the same day, you’ll complete a physical fitness assessment and a written exam to measure foundational skills in math, reading, and comprehension.
Polygraph Exam
Integrity is at the heart of law enforcement. This 3–4 hour polygraph exam is designed to verify the background information you’ve provided, ensuring honesty and transparency from day one.
Background Investigation
A thorough background investigation will be conducted, covering criminal history, traffic records, and financial history, along with interviews with past employers, family, and friends. This step typically takes about two weeks to complete.
Oral Panel Interview
You’ll be interviewed by a panel of three experienced members of the New Mexico State Police, who will evaluate your communication skills, judgment, and motivation for joining the force.
Psychiatric and Medical Evaluation
To ensure you’re fully prepared for the physical and mental demands of the job, you’ll undergo assessments with both a psychologist and a medical doctor, verifying that you’re fit for duty.
Chief’s Selection
After successfully completing all previous steps, your application will be presented to the Chief for final review and approval. This is the last milestone on your journey to becoming a New Mexico State Police Officer.
Note for Out-of-State Applicants: Out-of-state candidates will need to make a minimum of two trips to complete the process. The first trip will cover the physical fitness test, written exam, and polygraph exam. The second trip will include the oral panel interview, psychiatric evaluation, and medical exam. This schedule allows for an expedited process while ensuring all necessary steps are completed.
taking care of those who serve
Benefits and pay
Start your career with a strong salary, with opportunities for growth as you advance within the New Mexico State Police.
Enjoy comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with $75,000 in life insurance to protect you and your loved ones.
Plan for a secure future with a robust retirement package, providing peace of mind as you serve.
Benefit from annual leave, sick leave, two personal days each year, and enhanced holiday pay at 2.5 times your regular rate.
Receive up to 1,440 hours of paid leave if injured in the line of duty, ensuring you’re supported throughout recovery.
Access 120 hours of military leave, with an additional 120 hours available upon approval, honoring your commitment to both your country and your community.
Start Your Journey with NMSP
Train with purpose, grow with a team, and build a career that makes a real impact. The New Mexico State Police prepares you to lead, protect, and rise to every challenge.
“Joining the New Mexico State Police was the best decision I’ve made. The training pushed me beyond my limits, and the support from instructors and fellow recruits made me stronger every day. I’m proud to serve and protect the community I call home.”