Police Cadet

City of Louisville•Louisville, CO

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Louisville Police Department is recruiting Police Cadets who will be sent to a Police Academy in early 2027. This role offers a quality of professional life with a manageable workload, allowing officers to invest time in investigations and build relationships with the community. The Police Cadet position is an excellent entry point into law enforcement for non-POST candidates. The department utilizes various police academies, and the academy training is a full-time commitment for 4-6 months, during which cadets should not plan to take time off. The City of Louisville covers academy tuition and provides an annual salary and full benefits during this period. Upon successful completion of the academy, cadets enter the FTO program, with subsequent salary increases upon progression to Step 2 Cadet and then to Police Officer Step 1. After completing the academy and FTO program, officers will perform a wide range of law enforcement duties under general supervision, focusing on protecting life and property, maintaining public order, conducting investigations, handling traffic and code enforcement, apprehending offenders, and fostering positive community relationships. Police Officers are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards and undergo a thorough pre-employment background investigation.

Requirements

Must be 21 years of age by academy graduation
High School degree required
Possess a valid Colorado Driver License
Must have correctable vision to 20/40
No disqualifying criminal convictions as defined by Colorado P.O.S.T.
Ability to maintain good study habits and complete required academy coursework
Ability to Multitask
Ability to be assertive and self-motivated
Ability to attend all scheduled academy training sessions throughout the week, vacation time is not authorized during the academy
Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral)
Ability to maintain levels of confidentiality
Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups/individuals
Ability to meet the academy’s physical fitness standards
Must have correctable vision to 20/40
Valid Colorado Driver License with an acceptable driving record for the last 3 years
Post-offer includes drug test, comprehensive background investigation, polygraph exam, psychological tests, medical physical tests, and interviews.
The employee must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull objects and individuals weighing up to 100 pounds, with or without assistance.
Must be able to engage in physical restraint, defensive tactics, and arrest procedures, including grappling, controlling resistant individuals, and applying restraints.
Must be able to wear and operate with required duty gear and body armor weighing approximately 20–30 pounds for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Prefer completion of 60 accredited college credit hours or Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Sociology, Psychology, Business Administration, Management of Public Administration, or a related field OR a minimum of 2 years of active duty military experience
Accredited BA/BS degree in the aforementioned areas of study is preferred

Responsibilities

Respond to priority calls regarding public disturbances, criminal, civil, or emergency situations; direct activities on site unless relieved by a supervisor; may provide emergency medical assistance, traffic control, and otherwise ensure attention is given to general public safety.
Detect and prevent criminal activities by surveillance of assigned business and residential areas.
Notes possible criminal occurrences and takes steps to prevent criminal actions.
Promotes crime prevention by initiating contact with businesses and residents including explaining applicable laws, soliciting cooperation in crime reporting, and otherwise creating a good rapport with citizens.
Investigates crime scenes and traffic crashes and assists other officers.
Identifies, collects, and preserves evidence and interviews witnesses, and suspects.
Enforces traffic laws and vehicle codes and promotes pedestrian safety.
Prepares a variety of handwritten and keyboarded reports related to crimes, accidents, and other duties.
Maintains logs, completes forms and prepares reports as requested.
Provides a variety of related police services including transporting prisoners, providing assistance to motorists, resolving domestic disturbances, public speaking before civic and non-civic groups, and testifies in court.
Makes physical arrests that may or may not necessitate the use of force.
Operates specialized and non-specialized police equipment including a police car, firearms, handcuffs, leg cuffs, radios, and other related equipment.
Uniformed officers are required to wear a ballistic vest.
Perform a wide variety of police and law enforcement duties.
Respond to all situations which require a public safety presence.
Protect life and property, maintain public order, conduct investigations, handle traffic enforcement and code enforcement, apprehend and arrest offenders, conduct civil processes.
Cultivate and foster a professional working relationship with schools, business and community groups and other law enforcement agencies to foster good citizen/police relationships and pro-actively reduce crime.
Provide medical services, help the mentally ill, conduct searches and make public presentations.
Uphold the highest ethical code of conduct while both on-duty and off-duty.