Police Officer-Lateral/Certified

Town of Windsor (CO); Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 82,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Windsor seeks a Police Officer for the Windsor Police Department through the Academy Officer or Lateral Officer recruitment process. The role involves enforcing laws, patrolling, responding to emergencies, and performing investigations in a community‑minded department.

Applicants must hold current POST certification or be enrolled in a POST academy with graduation by 12/27/26, and submit a cover letter and resume.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Colorado POST certification or probationary certificate required by appointment.
• Current Colorado Driver’s License or ability to obtain one on hire.
• CPR/First Aid certification within three months of employment.
• Ability to perform law enforcement duties and follow safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Enforce local, state, and federal laws; issue citations and make arrests.
• Respond to emergencies and operate police vehicles in various conditions.
• Prepare investigative reports and maintain accurate records.
• Gather evidence and interview victims, suspects, and witnesses.
• Interact with the community and uphold the town’s PRIDE philosophy.
• Participate in required training and maintain eligibility.

Skills

Colorado Driver’s License

Colorado POST certification

CPR/First Aid certification

Firearm proficiency

Public safety mindset

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Windsor Police Department is currently seeking to fill one (1) Police Officer position through either the Academy Officer or Lateral Officer recruitment process.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Windsor, Colorado, established in 1890, is a thriving home-rule municipality strategically located between Denver and Cheyenne. Originally rooted in agriculture and railroads, Windsor has grown fivefold in the past 30 years, becoming one of Colorado's most desirable communities in northern Colorado. With excellent schools, quality healthcare, and diverse housing, Windsor offers a safe, close‑knit environment. The town is home to 44,632 residents, with easy access to nearby cities and educational institutions like Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado. Windsor features 26 parks, 53 miles of trails, and a vibrant downtown. Major employers include Anheuser‑Busch and Vestas Blades America. Upcoming developments include the Legends Sports Complex and a new Police Department facility.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Windsor Police Department is comprised of six main divisions: Community Engagement, Investigations, Patrol, Property & Evidence, Records, and Special Operations. As an agency, the Police Department continues to work toward strengthening its relationship with the community by recruiting individuals that reflect its vision of striving to do better each day, and by hiring only those who are committed to serving everyone in the community at the highest level.

The Police Department provides the following community services:

• Community Engagement Team: Establishes and fosters positive relationships within the community.
• Investigations: Conducts follow‑ups and prepares cases for appropriate clearance.
• Patrol: Keeps watch and responds to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Property & Evidence: Maintains the integrity of evidence and/or property collected during a criminal investigation and/or held for safekeeping.
• Records: Gathers accurate crime data from officers, processes, maintains, and releases police records.
• Special Operations: Handles commercial vehicle inspections, Municipal Court security and provides support at special events. This team is also an integral part of the Town’s traffic safety efforts.

The Windsor Police Department recently completed a new 43,000-square‑foot facility designed to accommodate future growth of both sworn and non‑sworn personnel. This state‑of‑the‑art building includes advanced tools and resources such as training spaces, a multipurpose conference area, evidence‑processing facilities, and an onsite gym.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and updated resume along with their application. The cover letter should highlight your qualifications, relevant experience, and interest in the position, while the resume should provide an up‑to‑date overview of your professional background. Applications will not be reviewed without these attached.

Must have current, valid POST certification with no adverse POST actions OR be currently enrolled in a POST academy with graduation scheduled no later than 12/27/26.

COMPENSATION

• Step 1: $81,682; $39.27/hr
• Step 2: $85,970; $41.33/hr
• Step 3: $90,483; $43.50/hr
• Step 4: $95,460; $45.89/hr
• Step 5: $100,710; $48.42/hr
• Step 6: $106,249; $51.08/hr

Background History

All applicants must successfully pass the Department background, psychological evaluation, Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA), drug, medical and physical screening to be issued a final offer of employment.

An applicant’s background history will be reviewed as part of the selection process. Consideration for employment will include, but is not limited to, the following:

• No felony convictions or convictions involving moral turpitude.
• No illegal drug use or related activities within the previous five (5) years.
• No use of marijuana or psilocybin mushrooms within the previous one (1) year.
• No arrest for DUI, DWAI, or DUID within the previous five (5) years.

Additional background information may be considered based on the nature, circumstances, and recency of the conduct.

Work Schedule: This position requires shiftwork, am or pm start, rotating days of the week, and working days/evenings/weekends as schedule dictates.

NATURE OF WORK

As a member of the Police Department, Individuals in this position perform a variety of law enforcement activities for the Town of Windsor such as patrolling the streets and other public places to enforce ordinances, state, and municipal laws, and discover and/or prevent the commission of crimes.

Individuals in the position are required to perform work in a manner consistent with and exemplary of the town’s PRIDE philosophy and the town’s Equal Opportunity Employment policy.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Individuals work under the direct supervision of the Master Police Officer or Police Sergeant to carry out assigned duties, functions, roles, and projects in both routine and complex circumstances.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The Individual in the Police Officer role is assigned specific assignments, job duties, scope, authority, responsibility, roles, and requirements as determined by the town, Department, Division, and pursuant to laws, regulations, and practices. Individuals in this position must be able to successfully perform, be responsible for, and/or assist in the fulfillment of many job functions and duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all-inclusive:

Essential Functions

• Participate in all normal shift activities as assigned, including enforcing local, state and federal laws, issuing citations, making arrests, administering first aid; responding to hazardous material incidents and completing necessary forms and reports.
• Adhere to the established District Policing plan and patrol assigned area(s) on foot, by motorcycle, in patrol car, or by bicycle to enforce laws, prevent and discover crimes, investigate crimes, maintain order, and answer calls and assist in non‑criminal matters;
• Familiarizes self with community and community members;
• Issues written citations for traffic and other violations;
• Inspects public establishments requiring licenses to ensure compliance with rules and regulations;
• Provides credible testimony in court;
• Mediates civil disputes and other non‑criminal disagreements;
• Affect an arrest, forcible if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and approved weapons in self‑defense; process and transport people taken into custody or detained.
• Prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations.
• Exercise independent judgment in determining when and to what extent force may be used, and when there is reasonable suspicion to detain or probable cause to search and arrest.
• Safely operate a law enforcement vehicle both day and night, in all types of weather, in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic, and unsafe road conditions.
• Communicate effectively with dispatchers and other police personnel utilizing laptop computers and radio.
• Gather appropriate information from victims, suspects, witnesses, and confidential informants.
• Properly handle and use weapons and/or firearms from a variety of body positions, under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force, and perform at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.
• Perform searches, which may involve walking for long periods, and stopping and detaining suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Effectively communicate with people in order to inform and direct, mediate disputes, and advise individuals of legal rights.
• Effectively communicate with people in court and other formal settings, including public speaking engagements.
• Detect and collect evidence and substances related to criminal offenses, often in dangerous conditions.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters that may involve physically moving people away from dangerous situations, or evacuating people from particular areas.
• Read and comprehend legal and non‑legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits, and warrants.
• Interact cooperatively with co‑workers and members of the community.
• Report to work on time and maintain an acceptable attendance record.
• Participate in all required training

OTHER DUTIES

Depending on organizational need, additional duties may include the following:

• The Police Officer position participates in the Shared Fleet Vehicle Program, which requires an annual motor vehicle record check.
• May be involved in special projects that are directly or indirectly related to essential job functions.
• Continues educational and certification requirements in order to remain abreast of current methods and procedures.
• Assisting other departments/divisions as necessary.
• May participate in town employee committees, projects, or assignments as required.
• Other assigned activities by the Chief of Police, Police Commanders, or Police Sergeants.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND FORMAL TRAINING

• Must have a high school diploma or GED

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES

• Must have a current Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one upon hire, that meets the Town of Windsor’s standards.
• Must possess Colorado POST certification or probationary certificate from an approved academy by the time of appointment
• CPR/1st Aid certification within three (3) months of employment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Must be able to legally possess and carry a firearm.
• Modern police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, community policing, traffic control, and investigation.
• Knowledge of pertinent local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations, including laws governing the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
• Techniques and applications of self‑defense and proper use of force.
• Use, operation, and maintenance of police equipment, such as police radios, vehicles, and tools (including firearms, TASERS, and impact weapons).
• Principles and methods of training and instruction.
• Proficient understanding of and ability to use computers and supporting applications.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in interviewing witnesses, victims, or suspects.
• Principles and techniques used in public relations, including techniques and principles of effective interpersonal communication.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, including principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation and review.
• Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence.
• Obtain information through observation, investigation, and the interviewing of victims, complainants, witnesses, and suspects.
• Ability to conduct and supervise a variety of criminal and special investigations.
• Ability to control violent people and affect arrests.
• Exercise sound judgment and rational thinking under dangerous and stressful conditions.
• Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable local, State, and Federal policies, laws, and regulations.
• Interpret and explain town law enforcement policies and procedures.
• Perform the full range of law enforcement assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, including preparing clear and concise reports and routine correspondence.
• Demonstrate a high ability to interact with the public courteously, with patience and a positive attitude.
• Maintain contact and preserve good relations with the public; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Meet and maintain all department, State, and Federal Peace Officer Qualifications and training requirements.

MATERIALS and EQUIPMENT USED

1. Equipment: This position requires the use of various equipment including vehicles, lethal and less‑lethal weapons systems, computers, recorders, phones, radios, AED and first responder equipment, duty belt, ballistic vest, fire extinguisher, and general office equipment and supplies.
2. Materials: This position requires the ability to use the following materials: N/A

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The physical activities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

The physical requirements of this position are considered Very Heavy Work, exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

The employee may be subject to the following environmental conditions: inside, such as an office setting; outside, with little to no effective protection from weather; extreme cold, typically below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour. extreme heat, temperatures typically above 100 degrees of periods of more than one hour; subject to noise.

The employee is subject to hazards, including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat, or exposure to chemicals. The employee is subject to atmospheric conditions that may affect the respiratory system, or the skin; subject to oils.

The employee is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways; exposed to infectious diseases, and required to function around prisoners or mental patients.

This position is considered safety‑sensitive because the individual is responsible for their safety as well as the safety of others. Performing these job functions under the influence of drugs or alcohol would pose significant dangers.

Additional Information:

This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. The Town of Windsor reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as necessary, with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Reasonable Accommodation:

The Town of Windsor is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with the Colorado Protections for Public Workers Act (PROPWA) and other applicable laws. The town prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), gender (regardless of gender identity or gender expression), sexual orientation, color, religion, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, military status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, including during the application and hiring process. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail].