City of Roswell Police Department     

Roswell Police Department
Emergency: Dial 911
128 W. Second
P.O. Box 1994
Roswell, NM 88202
(505) 624-6770
Fax: (505) 624-6780

Email: rpdtraining@swwmail.net

  

DescriptionHistoryStatisticsSalary&BenefitsRequirementsSelection Process

                                                                                             

In January of 1995 the Police department embarked on a new beginning with the employment of community based style policing which encourages citizen participation in crime reduction and greater coordination with other service providers to address crime related problems in the City and surrounding communities. Police officers and the staff of the Roswell Police Department are part of the catalyst which brings the necessary resources to bear on community safety needs throughout Roswell.

The Police department, by strengthening the partnership among citizens, public and private agencies expects a reduction in the fear of and occurrence of criminal activities through proactive resolutions of immediate community safety problems and identification of the root causes of criminal acts and disorder. The citizens of Roswell and the police officers mutually participate in and are responsible for strategy design and problem solving that emphasizes comprehensive responses to criminal incidents. Problem solving is joint empowerment of police officers, businesses and citizens to coordinate public and private resources to resolve and correct community problems. The staff of the Police Department takes a vested interest in and is sensitive to the cultural and ethnic diversity of the area they serve.

The Roswell Police Department is committed to fostering an organizational climate that rewards its employees for initiative, innovation, citizen involvement, consensus building and problem resolution. The Police Department encourages the decentralization of resources to the most appropriate level in the organization and/or the community. The Police members are expected to maintain a sustained and dedicated service orientation with all citizens to ensure the peace and safety of our community and the surrounding communities. The organizational values of service orientation, partnership, empowerment, problem solving and accountability must be the driving force in all our decisions in the everyday operation of the department. Our commitment to the future of all citizens of Roswell is of the utmost importance and must be of the utmost importance to the entire community. The future depends on the success of this philosophy. This is not an easy task. It will take several years for the windfall to appear.

 

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General Description of the Police Department

The Roswell Police Department is located in the heart of Roswell, New Mexico a community with a population of approximately 48,000. The department is organized into five divisions, Uniformed Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Special Investigations, Support Services, and Special Services. The five division commanders report to a deputy chief, and all are under the command of Police Chief John Balderston.

With an authorized strength of 89 sworn, certified, and commissioned officers on the force the Roswell Police Department has full authority to enforce all applicable laws, ordinances, and traffic complaints. The department investigates complaints and criminal activity and works closely with the City Attorney’s and District Attorney’s Offices to ensure effective prosecution.

The Uniformed Patrol Division: is made up of patrol officers that perform general policing services, a traffic unit that specializes in traffic management, and school resource officers that handle school security, law enforcement related instruction, and work with kids.

The Criminal Investigations Division: consists of twelve specially trained departmental members who are assigned to investigate property crimes and crimes against persons; a Technical Services Unit that specializes in crime scene analysis and evidence collection.

The Special Investigations Division: is made up of elements of the Chaves County Narcotics Task Force and the Roswell Police Department’s Violent Crimes Reduction Unit. They are a pro-active policing unit that will identify and target those in the area who are involved in violent crime, drug trafficking, and members of organized gangs. This division also manages the Tactical Team and the Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team.

The Support Services Division: manages the department’s communications systems, records system, property inventory, public information, recruiting, hiring, and training.

The Special Services Division: is responsible for ensuring compliance with matters related to Equal Employment Opportunity, Fail Labor Standards, and work place safety. The division also provides management oversight for the CALEA accreditation process.

 

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A Brief History of the Roswell Police Department

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE ROSWELL POLICE DEPARTMENT

 

When Roswell was established, soon after the Civil War, the hamlet was situated in what was then Lincoln County. The law enforcement duties were the responsibility of the Lincoln County Sheriff stationed 75 miles northeast of Roswell. Because immediate law enforcement response was not available, the residents found it necessary to take the law into their own hands. Citizen posses were formed to chase the outlaws, including Billy the Kid, out of town.

In 1878 the US Cavalry, from nearby Ft. Stanton, was stationed in Roswell to protect the mail routes, recover stolen horses from the Indians and keep the peace. Company F of the Ninth US Cavalry, commanded by Captain Henry Carroll, was staffed by black soldiers know as the Buffalo Soldiers. Captain Carroll noted that a man he arrested for a stabbing incident was the first attempt of enforcing civil law in the area. The local justice of the peace fined the suspect $ 2.50.

In 1891 the village of Roswell was incorporated as a town and the residents elected their first Town Marshal, Henry Wright. The town paid the Marshal $ 50.00 per month plus any legal fees collected from his trial convictions. This Town Marshal’s office evolved into the Roswell Police Department. The Marshal had no officers to assist him; although, in 1902 the town council approved a deputy but refused to pay him a salary. In addition to his many duties the Marshal was instructed, by the town council, to arrest any woman who entered a saloon or acted in an "unladylike" manner.

The first marshals were lawmen in the true spirit of the Wild West. Marshal Charles Perry was a former Lincoln County deputy known not only for his endless pursuit of train robbers and gunfighters, but also for his heavy drinking and gambling. Marshal Jessie Rascoe was involved with law enforcement early in life, but on the wrong side of the law. Rascoe was notorious for his involvement in several murders, shootings and jailbreaks; but as a lawman, he earned the reputation as an efficient officer. He is remembered riding his horse on the streets of Roswell armed with a sawed-off shotgun, Winchester rifle and a Colt .45 revolver.

The days of the Town Marshal astride his horse have faded into history. Replacing the cowboy is the modern police officer equipped with modern technological equipment. The six-gun and the billy club of a hundred years ago have been replaced with laser-aimed pistols, in-car computers, fingerprint scanners and computer-aided dispatch consoles. The citizens of Roswell, once relying on a lone marshal, are now being protected by the Roswell Police Department, consisting of 120 highly trained police officers and civilian employees.

 

 

 

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Roswell Police Employment
Salary and Benefits

 

Basic Recruit Pay:

Starting pay is $11.85 per hour, with an increase to $12.44 upon graduation from the Law Enforcement Academy, with an increase to $13.06 upon completion of probation.

Lateral Recruit Pay:

Starting pay is dependent upon previous experience,

0 to 23 months experience - $12.44 per hour

24 to 47 months experience - $13.06 per hour

48 + months experience - $13.72 per hour

With annual step increases beginning upon completion of probation. An officer at the highest step makes $16.52 per hour; in addition numerous overtime opportunities are available.

Benefits:

1. Health Insurance ($0 – single; $25 employee + one; $50 employee + family)

2. Paid Life Insurance

3. Dental and Eye Insurance available

4. 20 year retirement @ 70%; The employee pays 16.3% towards retirement, the city

pays 18.5%.

5. Paid vacation starting at two weeks per year.

6. Paid sick leave accrued @ eight hours per month.

7. Eight paid holidays a year.

8. Paid Personal Leave, one day a year.

9. Longevity Pay, starting at $15 per month after three years of service.

10. $800 per year clothing allowance

11. All initial uniforms, leather, and boots provided.

12. Firearm and Ballistic Vest provided

13. Take home vehicle with full off-duty privileges (some exceptions noted in policy)

14. Numerous opportunities for advanced training.

15. Specialized Equipment

AR-15

Remington 11-87 Shotgun

Remington 870 beanbag gun

Pepperball Launcher

Mobile Data Terminals (in car laptops)

Vehicles fully equipped with flashlights, radios, leg restraints, etc.

 

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Minimum Requirements

AGE: Must be 21 years of age at time of graduation from the NMLEA.
EDUCATION: High school diploma or GED certificate.
CITIZENSHIP: Must be a U.S. citizen.
HEALTH: Must be in excellent health and able to pass a rigorous physical assessment before hiring can begin. Nothing should restrict the ability to perform the duties of a Roswell police officer.
VISION: Corrected or uncorrected to 20/30, normal depth perception and satisfactory color vision required.
CONDUCT: Must have no felony convictions, history of criminal behavior, poor driving record, and have a valid New Mexico drivers license.

 

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Roswell Police Employment
The Selection Process

Roswell Police BadgeAPPLICATION
The employment application may be obtained at the City Hall's Human Resource office, 425 N. Richardson, Roswell, NM 88201, (505) 624-6700 ext. 268.

PHYSICAL FITNESS EXAMINATION
Each applicant must participate in a physical fitness test which is graded pass/fail.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION
Applicant must obtain a passing score to proceed to the oral interview.

ORAL INTERVIEW
Each applicant will be interviewed by a board of officers and ranking members of the Roswell Police Department.

POLYGRAPH EXAM
Each applicant must undergo a polygraph examination to satisfactorily verify applicant Information provided.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An extensive background investigation will be conducted on each applicant.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Each applicant must undergo a psychological evaluation.

MEDICAL EVALUATION
Each applicant must undergo a complete physical exam according to the guidelines set down by the NMLEA and the City of Roswell
 

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