Recruit School Selection Process

State police applicants begin the selection process with the physical fitness test. If you pass, you will take the written test on the same day. The written test is a comprehensive reading, writing and mathematics test.

• Interested in a career with the New Mexico State Police? Email us.

PHYSICAL FITNESS ENTRANCE STANDARDS NMSP RECRUIT ACADEMY
AGES
MALES	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59	60+
SIT-UPS (1 MINUTE)	38	35	29	24	19
PUSH-UPS (1 MINUTE)	29	24	18	13	10
1.5 MILE RUN	12:29	12:53	13:50	15:14	17:19
300 METER RUN	59	58.9	72	83.2	83.2
SIT AND REACH (INCHES)	16.5	15.5	14.3	13.3	12.5
FEMALES	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-59	60+
SIT-UPS (1 MINUTE)	32	25	20	14	6
PUSH-UPS (1 MINUTE)	15	11	9	N/A	N/A
1.5 MILE RUN	15:05	15:56	17:11	19:10	20:55
300 METER RUN	71	79	94	94	94
SIT AND REACH	19.3	18.3	17.3	16.8	15.5

The times shown on the chart for 1.5 mile run are not altitude adjusted. Use the guide below to compensate for the altitude in your area:

ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT	TIME
SEA LEVEL - 5000 FEET	NO ADJUSTMENT
5,000 - 6,000 FEET	ADD 30 SECONDS
6,000 - 7,000 FEET	ADD 40 SECONDS
7,000 - 8,000 FEET	ADD 50 SECONDS

SIT-UP GUIDE LINES:
1. The student starts by lying on their back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor, fingers interlaced and placed behind the head.
2. Partner holds the feet down firmly.
3. In the up position, the student should touch the elbows to knees and then return until the shoulder blades touch the floor. Any resting should be done in the up position. No rocking hips. If fingers become unlaced, adjustment must be made in the up position
PUSH-UP GUIDELINES:
1. The hands are placed about shoulder width apart. The administrator or partner places a fist on the floor below the student's chest at the midpoint of the sternum (unless a male is testing a female).
2. Starting from the up position (elbows fully extended), the student must keep the back straight at all times (no swayback or elevated hips) and lower their body to the floor until the chest touches the administrator's fist. Student then returns to the up position. Any resting should be done in the up position.
SIT AND REACH GUIDELINES:
1. The student should properly stretch and warm up. The shoes must be removed.
2. The student is seated on the floor. The feet are placed securely against the boxes with the feet no wider than 8 inches apart.
3. The knees should remain extended throughout the test.
4. The hands are placed exactly together, one hand on top of the other with middle fingers aligned, fingers extended .
5. The yardstick is set on the box so the 15" mark is flush with the edge of the box.
6. The student leans forward without lunging or bobbing and reaches as far down the yardstick as possible. The hands must stay together and even, holding for 1 second.
7. Record the reach to the nearest ¼ inch.
8. Three trials are allowed; the best of the three is recorded.

State Police Entry Process

The first step is to fill out the NMSP application located on the Training and Recruiting page. You will need to contact a NMSP Recruiter in you local area for the Physical Fitness test and the Written test. It will be your responsibility to submit the completed application to your local Recruiter who will send to the Recruit Bureau in Santa Fe.

• You will be notified by mail or telephone as to the status of your application and informed of your next scheduled test date, which will be the polygraph examination.
• The background investigation phase will be initiated upon successful completion of the polygraph examination.
• After completion of the background investigation, you will be scheduled for an oral interview in Santa Fe, NM.
• After the oral interviews are completed, applications will be reviewed by the Chief of the New Mexico State Police, who will make the final selection. Applicants who have been selected are given a conditional offer of employment contingent upon passing the psychological and medical examinations.
• The last two phases of the selection process are the psychological evaluation and medical examination.

*Physical fitness and written tests are periodically conducted at State Police offices throughout the state. Contact your local office to speak to a recruiter.