Lateral (ONLY) Police Officer

Responsibilities

• Nature of the Work:
• A more detailed listing of essential functions, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics is provided in the Lateral Police Officer Information Booklet available at: www.denvergov.org/civilservice
• Complete Initial Application
• You must first submit an application with Denver Civil Service Commission. We do not recommend using a cell phone.
• If you are immediately notified that you do not meet the minimum qualifications, you may email the Denver Civil Service Commission to learn further details at cscinfo@denvergov.org .
• If you have technical problems with Workday, please contact the Workday Service Desk at (720) 337 - 4357, option #2.
• Minimum Qualifications
• Must possess a Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certification (or state equivalent).
• Must have a minimum of three (3) years of experience as a law enforcement officer.
• Must be currently employed as a police officer by a state, county, or municipal police or sheriff's department.
• Applicants who have retired or separated because of a layoff can be considered if they meet these criteria at the time of application:
• Apply within one (1) year of separation.
• Were in good standing at the time of retirement or layoff.
• Possess a current Colorado POST certification (or state equivalent).
• Applicants are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of patrol duty (calls to service/street duty) experience while employed full time by a state, county, or municipal police or sheriff's department.
• Experience as a deputy or officer employed at a correctional facility, college, university, District Attorney's office, or as a Federal or Military Police Officer is not applicable experience.
• Applicants employed by a "Full Service" university will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Full Service refers to an agency where police officers respond to calls for service, make arrests, and files criminal cases without having to do so through another law enforcement entity.
• Must have Colorado residency at time of hire (Candidates must be bona fide residents of the State of Colorado at the time of appointment [hire]. There is no minimum time limit to establish residency.)
• Minimum age of 21 at time of application
• Must have a High School Diploma or G.E.D. Certification
• Must have a valid Driver's License at the time of application. Applicants must maintain any licensing requirements of the respective department.
• For a complete list of qualifications, please reference the Denver Police Informational Handbook, located on the Denver Civil Service Commission's website.
• Salary & Benefits Information
• 2026 Salary:
• $89,927 - 2nd Grade (PO2)
• $112,408 - 1st Grade (PO1)
• Currently certified as a Colorado peace officer or out-of-state equivalent and has a minimum of 4 years' experience on the date of application (not including time employed as a corrections/detention officer), excluding time served in a prior police aca

Additional Information

About Our Job Civil Service Commission will begin actively accepting applications for Police lateral entry position by February 2, 2026. The 2026 Police Lateral Academy start date has not been determined. We are targeting either June or December 2026 start date, depending on qualified applicant volume. We encourage all interested and qualified candidates to submit their application as soon as possible. "

Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at denver? Share your experience