Police Cadet

Provide basic law enforcement services to an assigned area under the direction of a Field Services Sergeant. This is a safety-sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing.

Responsibilities

• Effectively patrols assigned area for suspicious persons and vehicles.
• Respond to calls for service.
• Serve as a back-up unit to other units.
• Investigate traffic crashes.
• Enforce traffic code.
• Make felony and misdemeanor arrests.
• Complete preliminary investigations.
• Conduct complete investigations of crimes.
• Interview victims, witnesses, and suspects.
• Control or direct traffic.
• Provide routine assistance to the public.
• Familiarize self with area of assignment.
• Perform miscellaneous assignments such as vehicle inspections and maintenance, transporting prisoners.
• Refer the public to appropriate agencies in civil matters.
• Present testimony in court.
• Perform field community policing/engagement activities.
• Obtain and execute arrests and search warrants.
• Complete close-out supplementary investigation on felony crimes.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age by graduation from the academy.
• Must have a valid driver's license and obtain a New Mexico (Class D) driver's license within 30 days of hire date.
• Must be a United States citizen or authorized to work by the United States citizenship and immigration services and have reached the age of majority in accordance with Section 29-7-6 NMSA 1978.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must pass the Police Entry-Level Written Examination and other required examinations and assessments.
• No felony convictions. Criminal activity involving felony charges, guilty pleas, or nolo contendere pleas 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. Misdemeanor arrests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis (does not include minor traffic violations).
• No DWI convictions within the last five (5) years from the date of initial testing. Multiple DWIs in the most recent ten (10) year period disqualifies an applicant (defined as two or more DWIs). DWI arrests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• No conviction 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 financial accounts referred to collections, written off, or charged off require supporting documentation that the accounts are actively being resolved. Accounts referred to collections will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification.
• Any history of discipline, termination, or resignation in lieu of termination is grounds for disqualification.
• Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Benefits

• $10,000 hiring bonus.

Working Conditions

Environmental: Field environment; exposure to heat, cold, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, moving objects/vehicles, inclement weather conditions; potentially hostile environments; work on slippery or uneven surfaces.

Physical: Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing, or sitting for prolonged periods of time; heavy, moderate, or light lifting and carrying; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; both hands and legs required, operating motorized equipment and vehicles; ability to discharge firearms.