The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) and New Mexico State University (NMSU) have formalized a partnership that will allow students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to earn up to 15 academic credits while training at LCPD’s state-certified academy.
“This is just a phenomenal opportunity for our students to gain experiential learning as part of their degree in the Department of Criminal Justice,” said Academic Department Head Dr. Dennis Giever. “With this agreement, our students can gain hands-on experience in law enforcement with a premier agency in the region.”
“This really is a win-win situation for criminal justice students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement,” said LCPD Chief Jeremy Story. “This endeavor joins the well-educated talent produced by NMSU with our state-certified and highly regarded training academy.
“We anticipate the students who take advantage of this opportunity will help raise the bar when it comes to commissioned law enforcement officers.”
Under the new memorandum of understanding, students enrolled in NMSU’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice program can be employed at LCPD’s academy, receiving up to 15 hours of academic credit and earning $24 an hour during their training period.
Graduates from LCPD’s academy start with an annual salary of about $54,000, which increases to nearly $60,000 plus overtime after probation. Those who hold degrees in criminal justice, criminology, sociology or psychology may qualify for hiring incentives up to $25,000.
Applicants must pass a comprehensive background check and other testing procedures before admission into the academy. After meeting both NMSU degree requirements and completing all phases of LCPD’s training—including fieldwork—students will become patrol officers.
The agreement also permits students to continue working toward their bachelor’s degree while serving as commissioned officers if additional coursework is needed.
Eligibility begins with NMSU students enrolled for Fall 2025. Applications are open through September 8, 2025. Interested individuals are advised to consult with their academic advisor or contact an LCPD recruiter for more information and apply via CLCPD.com.
