Police Officer Recruit

City of Thornton, Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Thornton, Colorado, is seeking dedicated individuals for the Police Officer Recruit role. This position offers unique training opportunities and benefits while preparing candidates to safeguard and serve the community effectively. Join our team and foster a rewarding career in law enforcement with a focus on professionalism, teamwork, and community engagement.

Benefits

Annual uniform allowance of $884

Step pay plan for salary progression

Longevity pay for service years

Retirement contributions to FPPA

Healthcare benefits for retirees

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age by January 1, 2026.
• Valid Colorado driver's license required.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system required.

Responsibilities

• Perform public safety training functions.
• Assist with filing cases and testifying in court.
• Patrol streets and written reports on incidents.

Skills

Knowledge of Constitutional rights

Ability to prepare accurate reports

Community policing

Effective communication

Self-defense techniques

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Join to apply for the Police Officer Recruit role at City of Thornton, Colorado

6 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Police Officer Recruit role at City of Thornton, Colorado

Selected individuals will be invited to complete the written test on June 17th

A key factor contributing to the success of the Thornton Police Department is our dedication in pursuing top candidates to join our team. We believe in hiring the best, recognizing that you will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. We value all members of our organization and create an environment that encourages our core values of TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY, SAFETY, INTEGRITY, and SERVICE.

The City of Thornton possesses a productive work culture where you will be encouraged to continually strive to develop and improve yourself personally and professionally. By joining our team you are choosing to be part of an exciting profession that delivers unparalleled job satisfaction. Â

To learn more, visit our Thornton Police Department Recruitment page by selecting this link.

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Additional Benefits For Sworn Police Officers Include

• Police Officer pay progression:Â The City of Thornton has a step pay plan in place for Police Officers. Step increases are received annually on anniversary dates contingent upon successful performance and availability of budget dollars.Â
• Longevity pay:Â Police Officers receive an additional 2% on their base salary for every 5 years of service up to 12%.
• Retirement:Â Sworn officers will make a pre-tax contribution to the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) Defined Benefit Plan of 12%. This mandatory contribution is in lieu of social security. In addition, the city offers a Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) administered by Nationwide. The city will match one-half of an employee's voluntary (pre-tax) contribution up to 1 percent.
• Retiree Healthcare:Â New retirees who have been enrolled in one of the city's medical plans prior to retirement, and have reached 20 years of service and are 55 years old, or 30 years of service and are 50 years old, may continue healthcare benefits through the city until they are Medicare-eligible or 65 years old, whichever comes first.
• Uniforms:Â Each officer is completely outfitted upon appointment (excluding firearms and footwear). Each officer also receives a uniform allowance of $884 annually.Â
  
  

If you are POST certified in Colorado or another state at the time of application, please do NOT apply to this posting or your application will not be considered.Â

The City of Thornton Police Department is a mid-sized suburban department for the 6th largest city in Colorado. Total calls for service in the past year totaled approximately 250,000.

Selected candidates will be sponsored at a law enforcement academy of the City's choice. It is the candidates' responsibility to successfully pass all required skills in firearms, driving and arrest control as well as completing the POST exam and obtaining a passing score prior to academy graduation.

Watch this video for instructions/tips on what we look for on your application!

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Under immediate training supervision, performs a variety of public safety training functions in preparation to serve and protect the community and to provide for the enforcement of federal, state and municipal law. These individuals are hired without a Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST).

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

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Performs a variety of law enforcement training services, including patrolling streets and other public places on an assigned shift.

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Performs training activities associated with investigations and crime prevention; writes detailed police reports; collects physical evidence. Assists with filing cases; testifies in court.

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Trains in the dissemination of information, assistance or directions to the public; emphasizes community policing through public meetings and speaking directly with citizens; performs a variety of public relations training and public education training duties.

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Performs practice training interventions in disputes, apprehending suspects, making arrests, issuing citations, identifying witnesses, conducting preliminary investigations, and re-establishing law and order at the scene. Performs practice interviewing and/or counseling scenarios with involved parties such as witnesses, suspects, students, and parents. Prepares documentation of activities performed and information gathered. Â Follows up on cases.

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Learns how to protect and preserve crime scenes.

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Responds to field calls for assistance, including assaults, fights, domestic disturbances, thefts, traffic accidents, traffic control, and other criminal or civil complaints; transports prisoners to detention facilities as necessary.

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Interacts with other jurisdictions, law enforcement agencies and courts of law.

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Works a varying schedule and/or shift.

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Learns how to photograph and/or sketch crime scenes and accidents.

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Serves as a member of traffic and community problem solving team, SWAT team, technical accident investigator team, and/or Crisis Negotiation Team during training sessions.

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Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

High school diploma or GED. Must be at least 21 years of age by January 1, 2026.

Licensing/Certification Requirements

Upon successful completion of the assigned CPOST academic training, must successfully pass CPOST Certification Examination and obtain CPOST certificate on the initial offering.

Valid Colorado driver's license with a safe driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.

Knowledge of Constitutional rights, Colorado Revised Statutes, Thornton Municipal Code, and Model Traffic Code.

Knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Knowledge of and ability to apply appropriate self-defense techniques.

Knowledge of the boundaries, streets, neighborhoods, and business areas of the city of Thornton.

Ability to apply departmental policies and procedures to police duties.

Ability to comprehend and apply ordinances, statutes, laws and higher court rulings applicable to law enforcement activities and responsibilities.

Ability to apply police science skills and techniques to assigned duties in patrol, traffic, investigation or laboratory activities.

Ability to testify in court.

Ability to prepare accurate and concise reports and records that may be used as evidence in courts of law.

Ability to learn photography and forensic skills if assigned to investigations.

Ability to use standard office equipment, personal computer and job-related computer applications including electronic mail.

Ability to listen well and communicate effectively with various audiences.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with city employees, supervisors, the general public, other jurisdictions and court officials.

Ability to enforce ordinances, statutes and laws fairly, firmly and impartially.

Physical and Mental Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to balance, sit, stand, reach, walk, run, stoop, kneel, crouch, push, pull, lift, twist, demonstrate manual dexterity, grasp, talk, hear, and see. The employee must be able to physically restrain combative individuals. The employee is required to work regular shifts, stay alert during prolonged periods of stationary or repetitive activity and to remain calm during stressful or possibly life-threatening situations.

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

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Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

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As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Internship

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

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