The Amarillo Police Department (APD) has officially opened recruitment for its next police academy, set to begin on December 4. Individuals interested in a career in law enforcement have until August 4 to submit their initial applications online.
According to APD officials, the first step toward joining the academy is to fill out the initial application via the department’s online portal. Once an application is submitted, applicants will be contacted with further details about preparing for Testing Day, which will be held on August 9.
One of the primary components of the testing process is a physical fitness challenge: a 2,000-meter row on a Concept2 rowing machine. APD Corporal Chrysler Laur explained that the row must be completed without stopping or pausing and within a specific time limit based on the applicant’s age, weight, and gender.
“The criterion for that time is available on our website, along with an online calculator,” Cpl. Laur said. “You’ll put in your gender, your weight, and your age group, and it’ll generate a time for you, and that’s the time that you have to row 2,000 meters in or less.”
What APD Is Looking For
Beyond physical ability, the Amarillo Police Department is seeking candidates with a strong sense of purpose and character.
“You have to have a servant’s heart to begin with,” said Cpl. Laur. “So you have to be willing to go out there, serve the community, protect the innocent, and confront evil. So we are looking for that kind of heart and mindset as well.”
The department also highlighted recent improvements in officer compensation, which could make the opportunity especially attractive to prospective recruits. The starting salary for new officers now exceeds $70,000 annually.
“We recently had a significant pay raise,” Laur said. “In addition to that, the professionalism of our academy and the professionalism of our officers that are out there on the streets every day as well.”
Important Dates:
Application Deadline: August 4
Testing Day: August 9
Police Academy Start Date: December 4
More information, including application details and physical fitness requirements, can be found on the Amarillo Police Department’s website.
