Police Officer - Certified/Lateral

Arvada, CO; Arvada (CO); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Arvada Police Department seeks a certified/lateral Police Officer to enforce laws, respond to emergencies, and engage with the community in Arvada, CO. The role includes patrol duties, traffic enforcement, and reporting.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree or 60 college credits plus two years sworn experience; POST certification; and a valid Colorado driver’s license. Applicants must pass a polygraph, psych test, drug screen, and background check.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 60 college credits plus two years sworn law enforcement experience.
• Colorado POST Certification is required.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Enforces municipal, state, and federal laws and provides patrol services.
• Responds to emergencies and handles traffic enforcement and investigations.
• Documents calls for service and prepares reports for case filing.
• Administers first aid with or without other emergency personnel.
• Provides court testimony and case preparation for municipal, state, or federal cases.

Skills

Decision making

Critical thinking

Communication

Firearms proficiency

Self-defense tactics

Team collaboration

Emergency vehicle driving

Physical fitness

Education

Bachelor's degree

60 college credits + 2 years sworn experience

Job description

## Police Officer - Certified/LateralApply: Arvada City Hall: Full time: Posted 6 Days Ago: End Date: October 16, 2026 (7 days left to apply): 2026-0033**Internal Candidates must apply through Jobs Hub in Workday.****All positions close Friday morning at 12:01am.**Apply to join our team today! The City of Arvada promotes Equal Pay for Equal Work. Starting salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity. **The range listed reflects the entire range and typical placement is entry to mid range.**Pay Range: $43.54-$57.60 Hourly**Additional Salary Information:** The salary range listed in this posting applies to candidates who possess a Bachelor’s degree. Candidates who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree must have a minimum of 60 college credit hours and at least two (2) years of sworn law enforcement experience. In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, the salary range will be **1.5% lower** than the posted range. Police Officer (No Bachelor’s Degree) Salary Range: $42.89 – $56.75 per hour **Position Purpose** Responsible for the enforcement of all local, state, and federal laws. Responds to requests for service on criminal and non-criminal related activity and provides for the safety and protection of the community through emergency services, community engagement, and problem solving. Exists to provide service for the protection and well-being of human life and the community as well as provides a safe and quality environment for the community served. Essential Job Functions* Enforces all municipal, state, and federal laws requiring police intervention to include summons, arrest, transports, booking, incarcerations, interviews, and follow-up, and provides patrol services for all areas of the city, and performs all duties related to traffic enforcement, traffic accident investigation, and traffic direction.* Provides emergency response to all calls for service requiring immediate law enforcement intervention.* Provides full-service police response on criminal and non-criminal related activity, including timely response where a request for a police officer has been entered, immediate supervision where appropriate and comprehensive community problem solving.* Documents all calls for service requiring reports or other written documentation and instruments to be recorded.* Performs follow-up investigations on criminal reports taken in the field, prepares case filing for presentation to district attorney’s office.* Administers first aid with or without the assistance of other emergency personnel.* Utilizes both stationary and mobile data computer terminals and all corresponding applications for preparation of reports, inter-office correspondence, training memoranda, information exchanges and all other forms of communication indicative of this venue.* Collects, preserves, packages, and records evidence from crime scenes.* Maintains a high level of mental and physical fitness to maintain proficiency in firearms, self-defense tactics and all other areas requiring certifications.* Employs physical force (up to and including deadly force) to subdue and/or arrest fleeing, resistant, and hostile subjects.* Pursues fleeing subjects on foot. Climbs, crawls, or otherwise negotiates obstacles such as staircases, ladders, fences, window openings, attics, crawl spaces, and areas of gunfire.* Drags, pulls, or moves persons to allow first aid, affect rescue or overcome resistance.* Provides court testimony and case preparation for all cases including traffic, criminal or civil requiring the officer’s presence or the officer’s reports in municipal, state, or federal court.* Demonstrates high levels of ethics and integrity.* Initiates activity in the form of traffic stops, suspicious person contacts, building checks, and interaction with the various elements of the community.* Operates an emergency motor vehicle in both normal and emergency situations.* Frequently operates a personal or City-owned motor vehicle to drive to and from work locations throughout the City.Other Job Functions* Attends training in extensive legal updates, officer safety and other police procedures and maintains certifications in all necessary areas.* Performs other duties as assigned.Knowledge Skills and Abilities* Demonstrates the ability to make sound, timely decisions in high-pressure or rapidly changing situations. Applies critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assess available information, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions while maintaining composure and professionalism under extreme conditions.* Proficient ability to utilize firearms and self-defense tactics.* Ability to multi-task and set priorities in a closed environment.* Ability to work with individuals in stressful situations.* Ability to apply and utilize laws, resources, equipment, and other personnel in all areas of responsibility.* Ability to develop meaningful community engagement promoting the interaction of the police with the community for the purposes of ensuring community safety, problem solving, protection of life and property and quality of life issues.* Ability to effectively communicate information, both verbally and in writing, to support organizational objectives and interact with all levels of personnel within the city in a positive and cooperative manner.* Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.License & Certification* Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certification.* Ability to obtain and maintain certifications and proficiency in the following job-related areas: Intoxilyzer, Arrest control, Emergency vehicle driving, and Firearms proficiency.* A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.Education Degree* Bachelors Degree (BA, BS, BBA) or* 60 credit hours AND two (2) years of experience in a sworn position (1.5% lesser pay).Education Required* YesOther Qualifications* Must be at least 21 years of age.* Successfully pass a polygraph, psychological exam, drug screen, and an extensive background check.Physical Demands* Strenuous to extreme physical effort that includes frequent use of heavy objects (e.g., 50+ pounds) and may also use heavy tools or require strenuous application in awkward positions. Individuals in strenuous positions must successfully complete a physical examination to ensure their fitness for duty.Hazards* Marginal to moderate exposure to conditions that are unpredictable and may lead to injury.Work Environment* Regular exposure to heat and noise along with working outside in the elements.The City of Arvada offers a robust Total Rewards package. To find out more details, select here.**Vision:** We Dream Big and Deliver**Mission:** We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.**Values:*** *Innovation*: We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.* *Passion*: We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.* *Opportunity*: We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.The City’s Core values are in every employee’s individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values.Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards. This includes upholding the City’s values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City’s policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143.The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.