Police Officer I

City Of Sterling; Sterling (CO); On-site; USD 69,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

FPPA pension

457(b) plan

Health coverage

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Wellness incentives

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

City of Sterling seeks a Police Officer to actively support the department's mission and protect life and property in Sterling, CO. You will patrol, respond to incidents, investigate crimes, make arrests, and ensure enforcement of laws and regulations.

The role requires a high school diploma and P.O.S.T certification, with CPR/First Aid training. Candidates must meet physical and residency requirements and be prepared for all shifts.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Ability to read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents; prepare citations, affidavits, and warrants.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and fellow employees.

Responsibilities

• Enforce laws and protect life, safety, and property within Sterling.
• Take command at crime or accident scenes; interview victims and witnesses; document findings.
• Complete police reports accurately and timely.
• Conduct traffic surveillance and investigations; complete required forms.
• Respond to dispatches and assist citizens with information and assistance.

Skills

Public safety

Emergency response

Investigations basics

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

P.O.S.T certification

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Sterling Police Department - Sterling, CO 80751Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $68,913.00 - $87,197.00 SalaryPosition descriptions/specifications are only intended to present a descriptive summary of the range of duties, tasks, and responsibilities associated with a specified position. Therefore, descriptions/specifications may not include all duties performed by the individual. In addition, descriptions/specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the position/class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position/class.

Primary Purpose

Actively support and uphold the stated mission and values of the City of Sterling and the Police Department. Provide emergency aid, security, and protection of life and property for the citizens by patrolling business and residential areas, responding to requests for information and assistance, investigating criminal activity, subduing combative suspects, making arrests, working with people to solve problems associated with crime and ensuring proper enforcement of laws and regulations.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Performs services and enforce laws under the authority of the City of Sterling and State of Colorado necessary for the protection of life, safety, health, welfare and property within the City of Sterling;
• Takes command at scene of crime or accident; takes statements and interviews victims and witnesses; examines situation; records vital information regarding causes and circumstances;
• Completes police report to describe in a clear, accurate, and concise manner all primary and relevant case activity and developments; read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits, and warrants;
• Establishes traffic surveillance to observe and detect violations of the Model Traffic Code and State Traffic Statutes; complete traffic accident investigations and required accident investigation forms;
• Ensures that all required reports are completed in a timely manner;
• Responds to radio and telephone dispatches to investigate citizen concerns including crimes in progress, crimes reported after-the-fact, accidents and disturbances;
• Operates a computer utilizing such software programs as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases;
• Utilizes appropriate department-issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary; follows all applicable safety rules and regulations;
• Carries a City-issued communication device for work-related communications while in Logan County.
• Performs other related functions as otherwise assigned, delegated or required by the Police Corporal, Police Sergeant, Police Commander, and/or Police Chief.

Physical Requirements

• Physical requirements include ability to extend hands(s) and arm(s) in any direction; pick, pinch, work with fingers and palm as well as whole hand; lift ten (10) pounds; some lifting and carrying objects weighing up to twenty five (25) pounds; some pushing, pulling, crawling, and climbing; move about on foot to accomplish tasks; push/pull, lift, move, draw/drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion for extended periods of time.
• Remain in a seated position, alert, and awake for extended periods of time specifically during a 12-hour shift.
• Driving and visual inspections may sometimes occur in dim light conditions.
• Manual dexterity enough to operate keyboard devices requiring repetitive arm/hand movements;
• Visual acuity with eyesight correctable to 20/20, uncorrected 20/100, normal depth perception and peripheral vision with ability to distinguish all primary colors, and sufficient for work which deals largely with observing actions of others, driving vehicles, using firearms, reading and writing clear and accurate reports, operating a typewriter and computer keyboard, and visual inspection which may involve small parts/defects, errors and detection.
• Hearing acuity sufficient to receive, comprehend and understand detailed information through oral communications, telephone conversations, radio traffic, etc., and to make fine discriminations in sounds in order to perform duties safely.

Working Conditions

Ability to withstand extreme weather conditions from sub-freezing to hot, humid temperatures; must perform duties under a wide range of external conditions from sedentary office work to physically and emotionally demanding activity such as violent physical arrests.

Marginal Functions

• May attend evening meetings and work extra hours;
• May serve on special City task forces;
• May work non-standard hours such as evenings, swing night shifts, weekends, holidays and rotating shifts;
• Subject to 24-hour call back for emergency conditions;
• May assist in special projects as needed or otherwise delegated.

QualificationsKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations;
• Criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality and social, psychological and physical needs of criminals; Standard police practices, methods, and procedures;
• Approved and accepted methods of investigation, apprehension, and rules of evidence;
• Police terminology and practices;
• Good public relations skills;
• Safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police related tools.

Abilities

• Meet physical agility test standards set forth in Sterling Police Department Operations;
• Communicate in an effective, cordial, tactful, and professional manner suitable for the situation while performing activities in which employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to fellow employees and other members of the general public;
• Comprehend and follow complex written and/or oral instructions, to compile information, to complete and file accurate reports, with minimal supervision;
• Deal with the public in a cordial, tactful and professional manner especially in times of emotional distress for families which serves to maintain and develop effective working relationships with clientele. Exercise sound judgment, reasoning and decision making which produces logical and consistent results and outcomes;
• Represent department/division and the City of Sterling in a positive responsive manner to the public, fellow employees, supporters, and volunteers;
• Wear equipment belt weighing approximately 15-20 lbs. for continuous periods of 12 hours;
• Work long varied hours/shifts and adjust sleep patterns; ability to drive at night; ability to sit in and/or drive a vehicle for extended periods of time.
• Properly operate City vehicle/emergency police vehicle.

Education, Experience, & Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)

Experience

• Police Officer 1: None
• Police Officer II: Four (4) years of P.O.S.T. Police Officer experience

Certifications/Training

• P.O.S.T certified as a Peace Officer, Level I, by the State of Colorado
• CPR/First Aid Certification

Special Requirements

• Possess and maintain the appropriate CO operator’s license for the type of City owned vehicle which the employee may operate in the scope of employment;
• Minimum 21 years of age and U.S. Citizen;
• Must abide by City residency requirement to qualify for take-home vehicle benefit;
• Must be able to legally possess and carry a firearm;
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include 20/20 vision or correctable to 20/20 vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, normal color acuity.

What We Offer

• Retirement you can count on– Membership in theFire & Police Pension Association of Colorado (FPPA), a defined benefit pension plan that provides:
  • Guaranteed monthly retirement benefits based on years of service and highest average salary
  • Disability and survivor benefits for you and your family
  • OptionalDROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan)program once eligible
  • Portability options if you leave FPPA-covered employment
  • City of Sterling contributes11% of payannually (increasing by 0.5% each year until reaching a full12% match in 2028). Officers contribute 12%.
  • FPPA membership replaces Social Security (FICA) contributions.
• Additional retirement savings– Access to457(b) deferred compensation plansthrough Empower and MissionSquare, with bothpre-tax and Roth (post-tax)contribution options.
• Health coverage you can trust– Medical, dental, and vision insurance with multiple plan options.
• Peace of mind– City-paid life and AD&D insurance, with options to add supplemental coverage.
• Support when you need it– Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Time to recharge– Paid time off starting at8.11hours per pay period(and growing with service), plus paid holidays.
• Wellness perks– Free access for you and your household to the Sterling Recreation Center and Logan County Shooting Range, plus wellness incentives.
• Extra protection– Optional supplemental insurance plans, plus legal and identity protection options.
• Always here for you– 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Program offering counseling, resources, and work-life balance support, specifically designed for public safety employees.

The City of Sterling is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who are ready to roll up their sleeves and make a difference.