Police Officer I - III

Estes Park Police Department; Estes Park (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Estes Park Police Department seeks qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer I/II/III. Placement within this range is based on skills and experience.

Please note that applicants MUST have current Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate (POST certification) or out-of-state law enforcement candidates may challenge, and must pass, the POST once hired. This position performs proactive entry level to advanced level law enforcement duties depending upon rank.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; an Associate’s Degree or 60 undergraduate credits may substitute for education.
• Level II requires release from probationary status and one year of experience as a post-probationary Police Officer I.
• Level III requires Level II and one year of service as Police Officer II, plus instructor or specialist training.

Responsibilities

• Enforces local, state and federal laws and/or ordinances.
• Responds to calls for service including disturbances, criminal, civil or emergencies.
• Promotes traffic safety and enforces traffic laws.
• Investigates and assists at crime scenes; protects and collects evidence; takes testimony.
• Operates a police vehicle under emergency and non-emergency conditions.
• Apprehends and detains suspects; writes and prepares reports; provides testimony in court.

Skills

Public safety responsibilities

De-escalation

Crisis management

Community relations

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or 60 credits

Military service or law enforcement substitution

Job description

The Town is seeking qualified and diverse applicants for the position of Police Officer I/II/III. Placement within this range is based on skills and experience. Please note that applicants MUST have current Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate (POST certification) or out-of-state law enforcement candidates may challenge, and must pass, the POST once hired.

This position is Open Until filled with a first review date of October 12th, 2026.

This position performs proactive entry level to advanced level law enforcement duties depending upon rank. This includes public safety, the protection of property, and crime prevention and detection. May be assigned an area of specialty as needed. At the higher levels, may be responsible for less senior police officers and may act as a Field Training Officer.

The list below is intended to be illustrative of the responsibilities of the position and not all encompassing. Duties are performed on a rotating shift basis. The Town may change these duties at any time.

• Enforces local, state and federal laws and/or ordinances.
• Responds to calls for service including public disturbances, criminal, civil or emergency situations.
• Enforces traffic laws and promotes traffic safety.
• Detects and prevents criminal activities by surveillance of assigned business and residential areas.
• Promotes crime prevention by initiating contact with businesses and residents including explaining applicable laws, soliciting cooperation in crime reporting, and otherwise creating good rapport with citizens.
• Investigates and assists at crime scenes or accidents; protects evidence, collects evidence, takes testimony from witnesses.
• Operates a police vehicle under emergency and non-emergency conditions.
• Apprehends and detains suspects.
• Writes and prepares a variety of reports and completes forms.
• Prepares and provides effective testimony in court and works with prosecution attorneys.
• Provides code enforcement and animal control activities as needed.
• Organizes and conducts a variety community oriented policing activities; attends community functions and meetings for the purpose of public relations and education.
• At the advanced levels, may be responsible for less senior police officers; acts as an informal leader for less senior officers and other public safety personnel.
• Cleanliness and operability of assigned vehicle
• At the advanced levels, trains police officers or other public safety personnel in areas of expertise; maintains proficiency as a trainer and stays current with specialty field; assists in evaluating the department’s training needs.
• At Level III, may serve as a Field Training Officer (FTO).
• At Level III, may assist in the selection of new officers.
• Performs other related work as required or assigned.

Level I

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• An Associate’s Degree or 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. Three years military service and/or law enforcement experience can be substituted for education.
• Licenses, Certifications, and registrations as listed below.

Level II

• Meet the qualifications for Level I.
• Must have been released from probationary status.
• One year of experience as a post-probationary Police Officer I with no documented job performance issues and approval of Police Chief.

Level III

• Meet the qualifications for Level II.
• One year of service as Police Officer II with no documented job performance issues and approval of Police Chief.
• Training at instructor level, or specialist in a field specified by the department.

Lateral Police Officer Applicants

• Must meet minimum qualifications for Police Officer Level I;
• Lateral applicants may be hired at Level I, Level II, or Level III based on relevant experience, demonstrated expertise, and other job-related qualifications as determined by the Chief of Police.
• Once hired at a particular level, the employee may progress to the next level(s) by meeting the current established qualifications for Police Officer Level I, Level II and Level III.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS

• Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate (POST certification). At Level I, POST certification is required at hire or if currently attending an academy may be hired pending POST certification. Out of state law enforcement candidates may challenge, and must pass, the POST once hired.
• Valid Colorado Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record. Out of state candidates must obtain Colorado license within 6 months of hire.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Knowledge of police principles, practices and ethics.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, Town ordinances and State statutes.
• Knowledge of Town and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and ability to performance emergency medical and first aid procedures.
• Skill in operating motor vehicles in hazardous situations.
• Skill in using weapons and other police equipment.
• Ability to collect and preserve evidence including biological material.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate with victims, suspects, witnesses and other police officers.
• Ability to act effectively in crisis situations and to deal tactfully with citizens in a wide variety of stressful situations.
• Ability to exhibit de-escalation skills, imagination, initiative and discernment in problem-solving when coping with a variety of law enforcement situations.
• Ability to act and react to emergency and/or threatening situations in a manner consi