Lateral Police Officer

About the Job

APPLY ONLINE AT LONGMONTCOLORADO.GOV/JOBS

All applicants HAVE TO apply via the City website. No applications will be considered here.

20250118 - Lateral Police Officer

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled (Next start date is 5/4/2026)

APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.LONGMONTCOLORADO.GOV/JOBS

Department: Public Safety Division: Police Services

Lateral Police Officer candidates must have a Colorado POST Basic Certification or be able to obtain a Colorado POST Provisional Certification prior to the final job offer, at least one (1) year of qualified law enforcement experience, and meet the requirements detailed below.

Out-of-state candidates and instate candidates outside of the northern Colorado region may be eligible for an initial remote interview.

LATERAL PAY:

• 2026 Pay Plan (Hourly / Annually):
  • Step 1: $41.97 / $87,312
  • Step 2: $45.08 / $93,768
  • Step 3: $48.04 / $99,924
  • Step 4: $49.04 / $106,092
  • Step 5: $53.97 / $112,260
  • Step 6: $56.99 / $118,536
  • Master Police Officer (MPO): $59.84 / $124,464

Steps are assigned for full years of qualified service outside of the Academy and Field Training.

BENEFITS:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending, FPPA Pension Plan, Term Life & AD&D, Long Term Disability, Bereavement, Jury & Witness Duty, FMLA, Military Leave, Sick, Vacation, Holiday pay, EAP, Tuition Assistance.

Other Benefits:

• Optional, employee-elected, voluntary benefits are available.
• 1:1 Take-home vehicle program (25 miles from any city limit).
• Vast amount of optional overtime opportunities at concerts, community events, CU Athletic events, various shift coverages, and many more!
• 4x10 shifts are bid annually by seniority.

INCENTIVES:

Duty firearms provided. Officers are issued a department handgun with a red dot sight and a department rifle. Additionally, up to $3500 interest-free loans are available for future weapons purchases.

Uniform, belts, holsters, and other equipment, including ballistic body armor and plates, are provided. Footwear and personal flashlight not provided. Ballistic armor is replaced every five years at no cost to the employee.

Officers also receive a biannual equipment allowance of $200 ($400 annually).

Start Vacation accrual rate - equal to qualified years of service. i.e., 6th-year rate of 8 hours per pay period - 208 vacation/holiday hours per year.

40-hour bonus of vacation hours is deposited into your vacation bank at the time of hire.

Start at the equivalent pay step equal to qualified years of service. i.e., five years of law enforcement would start at Step 5.

Eligible to test for open Specialized Assignments, Collateral Duties, or Department Instructor Positions upon successful completion of probation. i.e., Detectives, School Resource Officers, Traffic, Special Investigations Unit, Training, Driving Instructor, Range Officer, Defensive Tactics, K9 Officer, SWAT, Negotiations, Drone Operator, etc.

Spanish/English bilingual skills are desirable. Supplemental pay of $50-$200/month is available for bilingual skills demonstrated through testing.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Work with citizens, community groups, schools, and other entities to resolve community public safety issues; identify areas of potential problems, crime, disorder, traffic, or unsafe conditions; report, and initiate corrective actions.
• Issue verbal and written warnings and citations; make restorative justice referrals; initiate arrests, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints, use lethal and less lethal weapons and force when appropriate.
• Patrol a designated area of the City alone in a radio-equipped vehicle, on bicycle, and/or on foot to preserve law and order. Enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances, and educate citizens regarding laws and ordinances.
• Discover and prevent the commission of crimes; manage and resolve conflicts.
• Respond to calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, robberies, assaults, domestic disturbances, suicide prevention, child abuse, fires, and other petty offenses, misdemeanors, and felonies; respond to alarms; investigate complaints; apprehend suspects; search, inspect, and transport prisoners.
• Secure accident and crime scenes; administer first aid and other life-saving techniques; conduct investigations; obtain and interview witnesses; gather information, dictate, write, or type reports and document investigations; conduct visual and audio surveillance over areas and/or suspected criminals; recover, impound, and return stolen property items.
• Operate an emergency vehicle day and/or night, in routine, emergency, and pursuit situations; pursue fleeing suspects on foot in unfamiliar terrain.
• Provide public service and respond to inquiries in routine, potential problem, and crisis situations.
• Conduct a variety of criminal investigations or activities involving crimes against persons, property, and society.
• Respond to general service calls including animal complaints, civil complaints, property control, and related incidents; perform related duties as assigned.
• Prepare investigative and other reports that may include photographs, sketches, and warrants in accordance with established format, protocol, and timeliness.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas; appear in court to present evidence and testify. May be required to participate in a variety of legal proceedings.
• Performs essential duties and additional tasks in a manner that enhances City Attributes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• High school diploma or GED and a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of college-level credit required.
  • The college-level credit requirement may be waived with a signed agreement to complete the required hours within five (5) years of the hire date. Tuition assistance is available for qualified employees.

Experience:

• Must have satisfactorily completed a field training program and have at least one (1) year of experience as a full-time law enforcement officer equivalent to a peace officer as defined by CRS 16-2.5-101 and 16-2.5-102.
  • Experience should include responding to calls for service, community policing, conducting traffic enforcement, including impaired driving enforcement, drafting search warrants and arrest affidavits, making custodial arrests upon probable cause, and conducting proactive law enforcement activity.
  • Experience in detention, corrections, parole, and/or probation does not qualify.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age by the date of hire.
• Possession of a valid Colorado Driver's License, or the ability to obtain a Colorado Driver's License.
• Meet the minimum qualifications of the Colorado POST Board as defined by CRS 24-31- 303, 24-31-304, and 24-31-305.
• Must have Colorado POST Basic Certification or Colorado POST Provisional Certification.
  • Out-of-state candidates must provide Colorado POST Provisional Certification prior to starting. Fees for testing and/or a refresher academy will be paid by the department.
  • For more information about obtaining a Colorado POST Provisional Certification, please go to the following website: Provisional Certification | Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training.
• Ability to obtain (if applicable) and maintain Colorado POST Basic Certification and complete the Longmont Police Field Training Program within one (1) year.
• Required to sign an employment agreement for reimbursement of expenses if voluntary resignation or dismissal for misconduct occurs within two (2) years of hire date.
• Subject to call-out, call-back, and extended hours during emergencies.
• Required to carry a cellphone capable of receiving emergency notifications and text messages after hours or off-duty.

SELECTION PROCESS - OPEN PROCESS:

To be hired for the position, candidates must successfully complete the following selection process:

• Application Review.
• Oral Interview with an Executive Oral Board.
• Integrity Interview.
• Job Suitability Assessment.
• Physical Abilities Test.
• Background Investigation.
• Psychological Evaluation.
• Medical Assessment.
• Drug Screen.

APPLICATION PROCESS: ONLINE CITY APPLICATION (required) must be successfully submitted. All applications MUST be submitted through our website www.Longmontcolorado.gov/jobs. For information regarding this selection process, contact Master Police Officer Ryan Douglas at 303-651-8512 / ryan.douglas@longmontcolorado.gov

The City of Longmont offers Equal Opportunity for employment to all qualified applicants. It is the policy of the City of Longmont not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, veteran status, or disability unless related to a bona fide occupational requirement. If you need special assistance in the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department in advance to make arrangements.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

ALL CITY OF LONGMONT FACILITIES ARE SMOKE-FREE.

About the Company

Mission StatementsFire: "The mission of Longmont Fire Services is to serve our community by protecting life, property, and the environment through preparation, prevention and response."Police:Our commitment is to work in partnership with our residents in creating and preserving exceptional public safety for those who live in, work in, or visit our community. This commitment is reflected in our mission statement:"To protect and to serve with integrity and professionalism in partnership with the people of Longmont."