Police Officer I

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 71,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University Police Department seeks a Police Officer I (Lateral) to patrol campus properties, engage with the university community, and enforce laws and policies. The role emphasizes community policing, safety education, and timely reporting to support investigations and campus safety initiatives.

Eligibility includes Colorado POST certification and at least one year of sworn officer experience; out-of-state applicants must obtain a CO provisional POST letter and complete the

Qualifications

• Current P.O.S.T certification (must be attached) OR be eligible to apply for Colorado P.O.S.T. certification.
• One year of experience as a certified Police Officer with a P.O.S.T recognized agency or a combination of experience and education equal to one year.
• Out-of-state POI applicants must obtain a Colorado provisional POST certification letter before first day of employment and must successfully challenge Colorado POST within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Patrol campus property, parking areas, and buildings by foot, bicycle, and vehicle to identify and address safety or security concerns.
• Build collaborative, positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and visitors by providing assistance, education, and outreach.
• Promote traffic safety through enforcement, education, and event management, including patrol operations and investigations.
• Respond to calls for service to identify, prevent, and reduce crime, investigate incidents, collect evidence, interview involved parties, and take appropriate enforcement action.
• Prepare accurate reports, documentation, and legal records to support investigations, compliance, and trend analysis; serve in a lead or officer-in-charge capacity as assigned.
• Enforce laws and policies through citations and arrests and provide testimony or coordination with judicial and disciplinary bodies.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Leadership

Critical thinking

Education

Associate’s or higher degree

Job description

Position Summary

Job Description Position Summary The Colorado State University Police Department (CSUPD) is hiring for a Police Officer I (Lateral Police Officer). CSU Police Department is a full-service law enforcement organization. We are committed to working with all our stakeholders to maintain a safe environment which supports the academic mission of the University, and the health and wellness of the community. To learn more about CSUPD please visit: https://police.colostate.edu/join-our-team/. Police Officers work to fulfill our mission and the University’s mission through training, education, community engagement, active patrol of University properties, crime investigation, identification and resolution of safety/security hazards and problems, assistance to students, staff, faculty and visitors, and handling of accidents and emergencies. Police Officers should have a demonstrated guardian-centric mindset, including excellent interpersonal skills and strong orientation toward education, collaboration, service, and teamwork. A strong work ethic, the demonstrated ability to be self-directed and use reasoning and resourcefulness to determine the best process/resource available is a necessary skillset. Police Officers must be detail-oriented and capable of producing work of the highest quality and accuracy and exhibit an exceptionally high level of personal and professional ethic.

Application Deadline

To receive full consideration, applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on November 16, 2026.

Job Duties

• Self-Initiated Activity: Patrol campus property, parking areas, and buildings by foot, bicycle, and vehicle to identify and address safety or security concerns, deter criminal activity, and proactively engage in community interactions.
• Community Oriented Policing: Build collaborative, positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and visitors by providing assistance, education, and outreach, including presentations and seminars on relevant crime prevention and campus safety.
• Traffic Related: Promote traffic safety through enforcement, education, and special event management, including patrol operations, accident and complaint investigations, roadway hazard identification, and appropriate citation or warning of violations.
• Dispatch Initiated Activity: Respond to calls for service to identify, prevent, and reduce crime, investigate incidents, collect evidence, interview involved parties, intervene and manage disturbances or crises, and take appropriate enforcement action, including arrests and use of appropriate force when necessary. Support campus departments with civil standbys.
• Administrative Duties: Prepare accurate reports, documentation, and legal records to support investigations, compliance, and trend analysis; perform administrative responsibilities and serve in a lead or officer-in-charge capacity in the absence of a formal supervisor, as assigned.
• Testimonial Duties: Enforce laws and policies through citations and arrests and provide testimony or coordination with judicial and disciplinary bodies, including courts, hearings, and campus proceedings.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check; Positions are subject to a background investigation in accordance with the administrative procedures of the State Personnel Director.
• Physical and psychological evaluations are required in accordance with section 24-31-303 (5) (b), C.R.S.
• Pre-employment Physical
• Pre-employment psychological assessment
• Pre-employment Drug Testing
• Valid Driver's License; Have for the past two years a current, valid driver’s license issued in the US or by a US territory
• A full description of driving requirements can be found in the University Vehicle policy
• Essential Services Designation; Willing and able to report to work without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare of the campus community
• Shift Work; willing and able to maintain availability for shift work as needed
• Use of Firearms or Other Weapons – Per CO POST standards
• Special Requirements/Other; Current POST certification required. Candidates must not have any POST-disqualifying incidents. A list of disqualifying incidents is available through the Colorado POST website: https://post.colorado.gov/certification/disqualifying-incidents
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• No Felony Convictions, No Domestic Violence Convictions
• Must have not acquired more than seven points in the last year and/or more than 12 points within the last two years on a driver’s license
• Must have no alcohol/drug related traffic convictions in the last three (3) years and repeat alcohol/drug convictions after the age of 18 within the last ten years
• Must have had no Marijuana use in the past 3 months
• No more than two at-fault accidents in the past three years (includes accidents resulting in claims, regardless of citation)
• Must not have had any Type A violation in the past three years
• Must not have had more than three or more Type B violations in the past three years

Minimum Qualifications

• To be considered for this position, candidates must demonstrate in the application materials: Current P.O.S.T certification (must be attached) OR be eligible to apply for Colorado P.O.S.T. certification. *Please Note: Out of state PO I applicants must obtain a Colorado provisional POST certification letter before first day of employment and must successfully challenge Colorado POST within 6 months of obtaining a Colorado provisional POST certification letter. CSUPD will support applicants in challenging Colorado POST by providing time to study, time to take the exams and paying for the testing exams required for challenging Colorado POST. It is up to the applicant to successfully challenge Colorado POST and obtaining a Colorado POST certification is a condition of employment. One year of experience as a certified Police Officer with a P.O.S.T recognized agency. OR A combination of experience and education in Psychology, Sociology, Communications, Criminal Justice, Social Justice, Military Science or similar studies equal to one (1) year of experience (30 Credits = 1 year).

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of an Associate’s or higher level degree from an accredited college or university are highly desired.
• Demonstrated commitment to education, learning, and growth.
• Ability to verbally communicate with both internal and external constituents in a professional and direct manner while maintaining excellent customer service.
• Demonstrated attention to detail through diligence and maintaining a high standard for finished work product.
• Work experience which encompasses roles leadership and the associated characteristics of a strong leader: accountability, integrity, self-motivated, and a desire to lead others by example.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to establish and build relationships with a diverse range of colleagues and customers.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills to make decisions in emergency/stressful situations as well as the use of problem-solving skills as part of daily work responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience volunteering with the community (volunteer experience should be clearly labelled in the application materials).
• Directly related state service experience

Salary Range

Salary Range $70,596 - $82,848 Annually

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO Colorado State University

EEO Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Step Pay Program

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range, based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that their entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is included in the application so that time-in-series can be accurately calculated.