Lateral Police Officer – $97K–$123K – Longmont, CO

Longmont Department of Public Safety; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 98,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Take-home vehicle

Flexible scheduling

Tuition assistance

FPPA pension plan

Life and AD&D insurance

Long-Term Disability

EAP

Job summary

Longmont Public Safety – Police Services in Longmont, Colorado is actively seeking experienced officers for lateral entry. Qualified lateral officers are placed at an equivalent salary step based on qualifying years of service, with vacation accrual aligned to experience and a strong benefits package.

Salary ranges from $97,510 to $123,260 annually, with opportunities for specialized assignments and career development.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma or GED and 60 college credits.
• Colorado POST certification or eligibility required.
• Experience in law enforcement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with residents and partners to address concerns.
• Patrol areas by vehicle, bicycle, and/or foot to prevent crime and promote safety.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls involving crimes and crashes.
• Conduct investigations, interview witnesses, collect evidence, and report findings.
• Enforce laws and ordinances, provide warnings, citations, or arrests as needed.
• Manage conflicts and appropriately use force when necessary.
• Conduct traffic enforcement, including impaired driving checks.
• Secure scenes, provide first aid, and coordinate with responders.
• Prepare warrants, affidavits, and other legal documents.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas, appear in court, and testify.
• Provide professional public service in routine and crisis situations.

Education

High school diploma or GED

60 semester hours of college-level credit

Colorado POST Basic Certification

Job description

LATERAL POLICE OFFICER

Longmont Public Safety – Police Services | Longmont, Colorado

2027 Salary: $97,510 – $123,260 annually, based on qualified years of law enforcement experience

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE TO LONGMONT

You have already put in the work, gained valuable experience, and developed your skills as a law enforcement professional. Now, consider bringing that experience to a department that values community partnerships, professional development, and the people behind the badge.

Longmont Public Safety is looking for experienced, motivated police officers who want to continue making a difference in the communities they serve.

We recognize the value of your prior law enforcement experience. Qualified lateral officers receive placement at an equivalent salary step and vacation accrual rate based on their years of qualifying service.

WHY LONGMONT?

Competitive Lateral Compensation

Your experience matters. Qualified lateral officers are placed at the equivalent salary step based on qualifying years of law enforcement service.

• Step 2 – $46.88 hourly, $97,510 annual
• Step 3 – $49.96 hourly, $103,916 annual
• Step 4 – $53.04 hourly, $110,323 annual
• Step 5 – $56.12 hourly, $116,729 annual
• Step 6 – $59.26 hourly, $123,260 annual

Example: An officer with five qualifying years of law enforcement experience would be eligible to start at Step 5. If there are 5 full years past FTO then you would start at Step 6!

Vacation Accrual That Recognizes Your Experience

Your vacation accrual rate is based on your qualifying years of law enforcement service rather than starting over.

For example, an officer qualifying for the sixth-year accrual rate would receive 8 hours per pay period, totaling 208 vacation hours annually. You also start on day 1 with 40 hours in your vacation bank.

Equipment and Professional Resources

We provide the equipment you need to do your job safely and effectively.

• Department-issued handgun equipped with a red dot sight.
• Department-issued rifle.
• Uniforms, duty belts, holsters, ballistic body armor, and plates provided.
• Ballistic body armor replaced every five years at no cost to the employee.
• Biannual equipment allowance of $200 ($400 annually).
• Up to $3,500 in interest-free loans available for future weapons purchases.

Footwear and personal flashlights are not provided.

Career Development and Specialized Assignments

After successfully completing probation, officers are eligible to test for available specialized assignments, collateral duties, and department instructor positions.

Opportunities may include:

• Detectives
• School Resource Officers
• Traffic Unit
• Special Investigations Unit
• SWAT
• Crisis Negotiations
• K9 Officer
• Drone Operator
• Training Unit
• Driving Instructor
• Firearms/Range Instructor
• Defensive Tactics Instructor

Additional Employment Advantages

• Take-home vehicle benefit available following successful completion of Field Training for employees residing within 25 miles (as the crow flies) of any city boundary.
• Flexible scheduling during the training process.
• Spanish/English bilingual skills are desirable, with supplemental pay of $50–$200 per month available for skills demonstrated through testing.

BENEFITS

The City of Longmont offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flex Spending Account.
• FPPA pension plan.
• Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance.
• Long-Term Disability.
• Vacation, sick, and holiday leave.
• Bereavement leave.
• Jury and witness duty leave.
• Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).
• Military leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition assistance.
• Optional voluntary employee-elected benefits.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Longmont Police Officers serve as problem-solvers, protectors, investigators, and community partners. The position requires sound judgment, adaptability, professionalism, and the ability to respond effectively to a wide range of situations.

Principal responsibilities include:

• Build relationships and work collaboratively with residents, businesses, schools, community organizations, and other public safety partners to address community concerns.
• Patrol assigned areas by vehicle, bicycle, and/or on foot to prevent crime, maintain public order, and promote traffic safety.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls involving crimes, traffic collisions, disturbances, domestic violence, mental health crises, and other community needs.
• Conduct criminal investigations, interview witnesses and victims, collect evidence, identify suspects, and prepare investigative reports.
• Enforce state laws and municipal ordinances through education, warnings, citations, restorative justice referrals, and arrests when appropriate.
• Manage conflicts, apprehend suspects, and appropriately use authorized less-lethal and lethal force when necessary.
• Conduct traffic enforcement, including impaired driving enforcement.
• Secure crime and accident scenes, provide first aid and life-saving assistance, and coordinate with other emergency responders.
• Prepare investigative reports, affidavits, search warrants, and other legal documents.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas, appear in court, and provide testimony.
• Provide professional public service in routine, challenging, and crisis situations.

Officers may be assigned additional duties consistent with the needs of the department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• High school diploma or GED.
• A minimum of 60 semester hours of college-level credit.

College Credit Waiver: The college credit requirement may be waived with a signed agreement to complete the required hours within five years of hire. Tuition assistance is available for eligible employees.

Law Enforcement Experience

Candidates must have:

• Successfully completed a law enforcement field training program.
• At least one year of full-time, qualifying law enforcement experience equivalent to a peace officer as defined by CRS 16-2.5-101 and 16-2.5-102.

Qualifying experience should include:

• Responding to calls for service.
• Community policing and proactive law enforcement.
• Traffic enforcement, including impaired driving enforcement.
• Preparing search warrants and arrest affidavits.
• Making custodial arrests based on probable cause.

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.
• Possess a valid Colorado driver's license or have the ability to obtain one.
• Meet the minimum qualifications established by the Colorado POST Board under CRS 24-31-303, 24-31-304, and 24-31-305.
• Possess a Colorado POST Basic or Provisional Certification.

Out-of-State Candidates: Must obtain Colorado POST Provisional Certification before starting employment. The department will pay applicable testing and/or refresher academy fees.

For additional information, visit the Colorado POST website: Colorado POST – Provisional Certification.

• Ability to obtain and maintain Colorado POST Basic Certification, if applicable, and successfully complete the Longmont Police Field Training Program within one year.
• Sign an employment agreement requiring reimbursement of certain expenses if voluntarily resigning or being dismissed for misconduct within the first two years of employment.
• Be available for call-outs, call-backs, and extended hours during emergencies.
• Maintain a cellphone capable of receiving emergency notifications and text messages while off duty.

SELECTION PROCESS

This is an open hiring process. Candidates must successfully complete the following steps:

1. Application review.
2. Executive oral board interview.
3. Integrity interview.
4. Job suitability assessment.
5. Physical abilities test.
6. Comprehensive background investigation.
7. Psychological evaluation.
8. Medical assessment.
9. Drug screening.

READY TO MAKE YOUR NEXT MOVE?

We recognize that changing agencies is a significant decision. Our Recruiting, Hiring & Promotions team is available to answer questions and help you understand the process, expectations, and opportunities available with Longmont Public Safety.

All applicants must submit a completed City of Longmont employment application online.

Master Police Officer Ryan Douglas
Longmont Public Safety – Recruiting, Hiring & Promotions
303-651-8512
[e-mail]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Longmont provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants. The City does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, veteran status, or disability, unless related to a bona fide occupational requirement.

Applicants requiring special assistance during the selection process should contact the Human Resources Department in advance to make arrangements.

All City of Longmont facilities are smoke-free.