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.”

Responsibilities:

Police Officers are responsible for performing the essential functions of the job which include the suppression of crime, the protection of life and property, the investigation of criminal activity, the apprehension and arrest of violators of the criminal and traffic laws, the recovery of stolen property and the regulation of non-criminal conduct.  Police Officers patrol an assigned sector, precinct or area, familiarizing themselves with businesses, public facilities, people, etc.  Police Officers investigate all unusual persons and circumstances, and vehicular accidents; make detailed reports of all such occurrences; and respond to all police calls in their area, as ordered by the dispatcher.

Nature of the Work:
General responsibilities include promoting public safety by protecting lives and property, preventing crime, investigating criminal acts and motor vehicle crashes, enforcing criminal and traffic laws, and responding to incidents requiring police intervention or assistance. See further details within Examples of Essential Duties, Physical Requirements, Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics, Working Environment and Conditions, Career Opportunities, and Minimum Qualifications.

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

1. 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.

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.

3. 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 2 years’ experience on the date of application (not including time employed as a corrections/detention officer), excluding time served during prior police academy training, may at the discretion of the Chief of Police or designee, start the Denver Police Academy at the rate of pay for Police Officer 2nd grade.

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 academy, may at the discretion of the Chief of Police or designee, start the Denver Police Academy at the rate of pay for Police Officer 1st grade.

Benefits:            

• Paid sick leave and vacation

• Medical and dental insurance

• Uniforms and most equipment furnished

• Pension Plan

• Support of our employee organizations to assist you before you become a Denver Police Officer and during your career

  • Denver Police Protective Association (Our Police Union)

  • Denver Black Police Officer Organization 

  • Denver Police National Latino Police Officers Association  information)

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

SP1018 Police Recruit Lateral 1

To view the full job profile including position specifications click here to find the Informational Booklet for the specific job (in the right-hand sidebar).

Position Type

Police

Position Salary Range

$112,408.00 - $112,408.00

Starting Pay

Agency

Denver Police Department