Police Officer Intern OR Police Officer I

Fort Lewis College • Durango, CO

15d • $32 • Onsite

About The Position

Fort Lewis College seeks a Police Officer Intern or Police Officer I to help provide a safe environment conducive to education. The department’s work includes preserving a peaceful community; maintaining the physical safety of campus grounds and buildings; enforcing federal, state, local, and campus laws and policies; protecting people and property; controlling crime; educating the community about crime prevention; providing emergency services; supporting other College departments; providing security for special events; and delivering a full range of professional police services.

The Police Officer Intern is a training position for Police Officer I. The incumbent completes a one-year training period through a combination of a Colorado P.O.S.T.-certified academy and field training, or, if already P.O.S.T.-certified, through training with an assigned Fort Lewis College Field Training Officer (FTO). Working with the FTO, the officer determines whether crimes have occurred within the College’s jurisdiction, investigates allegations, gathers and preserves evidence, follows investigative leads, locates and apprehends suspects, supports prosecution by presenting admissible evidence, and testifies in court. The position reports to the Corporal, Sergeant, and/or Chief of Police.

The posting is open through 11:59 p.m. on November 13, 2026. The listed hourly rates are $30.01 for Police Officer Intern and $31.53 for Police Officer I, subject to qualifications. This is not an internship. Applicants must hold current Colorado P.O.S.T. certification or be enrolled in a state-approved law enforcement academy with a spring 2026 graduation date. The position may be filled at the Police Officer I level when training, experience, or a combination exceeds one year. Lateral transfers are accepted at the Police Officer I level when the applicant meets that experience threshold.

This is an essential-services position requiring availability to work all shifts and, during emergencies or inclement weather, to cover last-minute shifts. Employment is contingent on required background, driving-record, physical, psychological, and fitness-for-duty evaluations. Additional duties may be assigned as departmental and College needs change.

Requirements

• Applicants must hold current Colorado P.O.S.T. certification or be enrolled in a state-approved law enforcement academy with an anticipated spring 2026 graduation.
• Police Officer Intern: one year of college coursework (30 semester hours); appropriate experience may substitute year-for-year, and current valid Colorado P.O.S.T. certification may substitute for the education requirement. Unofficial transcripts must be submitted with the application when applicable.
• Police Officer I: one year of relevant occupational experience, or a combination of education and experience equal to one year, or P.O.S.T. certification. Unofficial transcripts must be submitted with the application when applicable.
• At least 21 years of age.
• Pass a background investigation, including having no felony or domestic-violence convictions.
• Meet driving-record standards: no more than seven points in the last year or 12 points within the last two years; no alcohol- or drug-related traffic convictions in the last three years; and no repeat alcohol/drug convictions after age 18 within the last ten years.
• Have and maintain a current valid driver license and possess it by the testing date; maintain a satisfactory driving record under the College Authorized Driver Policy to drive a campus vehicle.
• Pass required physical and psychological evaluations and a post-offer fitness-for-duty test with cardio and strength components.
• Be able to work all shifts and cover last-minute shifts during emergencies or inclement weather.
• Demonstrate data-entry skills, Microsoft Office experience, critical-thinking skills, active-listening skills, reading, writing, and oral-comprehension skills, and written and oral expression skills.
• Provide a statement with application materials describing successful work with diverse audiences and under-represented groups, including specific examples and the duration of that work.
• Meet Colorado P.O.S.T. certification hiring requirements; certification is required at hire or must be obtained through successful admission to and completion of a certified Colorado P.O.S.T. police academy.

Responsibilities

• Complete a one-year training period through a Colorado P.O.S.T.-certified academy and Field Training Officer training, or through College FTO training if already Colorado P.O.S.T.-certified.
• Work with the FTO to determine whether a crime has been committed within Fort Lewis College’s jurisdiction.
• Discover and establish facts relating to alleged crimes.
• Gather and preserve evidence and develop and follow up on investigative leads.
• Locate and apprehend perpetrators.
• Aid prosecution by providing evidence of guilt admissible in court.
• Testify effectively as a witness in court.
• Help provide campus safety, enforce laws and policies, protect people and property, control crime, provide emergency services, support College departments, and provide security for special events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed