Police Officer Recruit

City of Littleton • Littleton, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Littleton Police Department is seeking a Police Officer Recruit, an entry-level position for candidates who are not POST certified. This role offers an opportunity to join a professional, CALEA-accredited law enforcement agency in the vibrant City of Littleton, recognized as one of America’s Best Small Cities. The city provides excellent benefits and perks, including a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and Death and Disability Plan through FPPA. Successful candidates will begin Academy training in January 2027. This position does not require POST certification; the City of Littleton will sponsor candidates through a state-approved POST program. During POST certification training, candidates will not accrue paid leave or seniority and will not be eligible for overtime. Leave and seniority benefits begin upon successful completion of POST certification. Medical, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits are available during POST certification training. A training and education agreement is required. Upon successful graduation and becoming a sworn officer, the position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covering wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours of college-level course work or 90 quarter hours of college-level course work from an accredited institution, with grades of "C" or above at time of application, OR four (4) years of active-duty U.S. military service with honorable discharge (unofficial transcripts or DD-214 must be attached to application).
• Must be at least 21 years of age by start of Academy in July 2026.
• No record of felony convictions.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Solid knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of law enforcement and the ability to apply those principles, practices and procedures to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Solid knowledge of criminal law and investigative techniques and procedures and the skill and ability to apply that knowledge to specific fact situations and cases to determine if violations of the law have occurred and if so, to initiate the appropriate law enforcement activity.
• Emotional maturity, sound judgment, understanding, empathy and the ability to apply knowledge and reasoning to make prompt and effective decisions and act on those decisions with decisiveness and assertiveness in routine and life-threatening circumstances; quickly and effectively evaluate alternative courses of action and select the most appropriate alternative.
• Solid knowledge of police tactics and procedures, including: arrest techniques and procedures; hand cuffing, searching people and buildings; self-defense tactics; interview and interrogation procedures; booking of suspects; advisement of rights to suspects; evidence and property handling; qualification and proficiency in using assigned firearm(s) and the skill and ability to apply these tactics and procedures to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Solid knowledge and the skill and ability to use required equipment at or above established standards or proficiency and competence, including, but not limited to: digital camera; radar and laser units; intoxilyzer; firearm, handcuffs and expandable baton; computer terminal with assigned software; fingerprinting equipment; vehicle and portable radio; telephone, telefax and photocopier.
• Operates a personal computer with assigned software to enter and retrieve data, write and review reports, correspondence, forms, notes, and other written materials from handwritten copy, handwritten notes, typed copy, interviews, taped voice recordings, in-person voice dictation, and other source documents; responsible for obtaining appropriate approvals and signatures as directed by departmental policies.
• Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and word processing software and must have aptitude to learn various other computer software.
• Ability to establish and conduct verbal communications through speaking, talking and hearing.
• Ability to control and/or arrest physically threatening, combative, uncooperative individuals and effectively communicate and interact with customers who may be angry, argumentative or disagreeable.
• Ability to interact and deal effectively with people from varying social, economic and cultural and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain composure and perform effectively in stressful situations, refrain from overreacting when subjected to physical or verbal abuse; exercise restraint and use the minimum amount of force necessary to handle a given situation; ability to manage conflict effectively.
• Ability to listen and follow oral and written instructions.
• Basic knowledge of principles of government regulations including, but not limited to: the applicable provisions of Federal and State law; City Charter and City Code; the city's Personnel Policies and Procedures; the Littleton Police Department Manual (Rules and Regulations); the Colorado Peace Officer's Resource Book and the ability to read, interpret, apply and communicate the requirements of selected provisions for the law, codes and regulations to perform the essential duties of this position.
• The following mental abilities are needed to perform the essential duties of this position: alertness, precision, ingenuity, problem-solving, analytical ability, decisiveness, assertiveness, spatial perception, persuasiveness, auditory discrimination, tactile discrimination, speaking ability, memory, creativity, concentration, judgment, aesthetic sense, olfactory discrimination, writing ability, reasoning, imagination, initiative, patience and visual discrimination.
• Sufficient physical agility, flexibility, strength and stamina to restrain, control, subdue and arrest combative and physically threatening persons; control crowds; and perform the other physical activities of this position as described in the "Working Environment/Physical Activities" section of this job description.
• Must possess sufficient strength to carry barriers, items of evidence, and human beings from hazardous areas (average burden is 150-200 pounds) and sufficient strength to push/pull materials (average burden is 150 pounds and can be up to 200 pounds).
• Climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, bends, crouches, crawls, and twists as necessary.
• Ability to work with hands above shoulder height with 30 pounds.
• Must sign a waiver and release form as provided or deemed necessary by the City of Littleton and/or the applicant's current and former employer(s) to permit the Chief of Police or other authorized and designated city employee unrestricted access to the applicant's personnel file or other relevant employment records for the applicant's current and former employer(s).
• The applicant must have a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• POST certification is not required, but candidates will be sponsored through a POST program.
• While attending the POST certification training no paid leave of any kind or seniority will accrue.
• Candidates will not be eligible for overtime during POST certification academy.
• Accruals of leave and seniority benefits start upon successful completion of the POST certification.
• No time off may be taken during the sponsored education and POST certification training.

Responsibilities

• Perform assigned and self-initiated patrol activities during assigned patrol shifts or special assignments to enforce laws and applicable ordinances in order to maintain peace and order within the community.
• Respond to calls for service and assistance and initiate law enforcement contacts.
• Obtain appropriate information at the scene; determine whether a criminal or civil matter; evaluate information; determine if a criminal event has occurred and take appropriate action.
• Provide information, advice, and assistance regarding police and community services and crime prevention information.
• Operate assigned police vehicle, radio, telephone, personal computer with assigned software and uses authorized equipment and weapons, as appropriate, to perform essential job functions.
• Receive and respond to calls for service and assistance received from the communications center or from citizens of the community or other persons.
• Obtain and evaluate information; determine priority of action(s) necessary and take appropriate action at the scene to detect and investigate crime and violations of law, protect and preserve life and property and enforce applicable laws and ordinances.
• Initiate contact with reporting parties; criminal violators and suspects; victims and witnesses; and other persons as required or appropriate.
• Based upon probable cause, approach, detain and take custody of suspects; make arrests; restrain and subdue suspects, as necessary and appropriate.
• Gather information through interview and interrogation techniques.
• Record information and prepare interview notes and case reports.
• Search people and property, as necessary and appropriate; collect and preserve evidence.
• Perform traffic accident investigations and perform traffic enforcement activities during routine patrol, directed patrol and speed enforcement activities.
• Gather and evaluate information and evidence from motorists and witnesses at the scene.
• Prepare accident reports.
• Issue summonses, as necessary.
• Request medical assistance and provide first aid for injured persons, if required.
• Prepare and submit reports in conformance with established policy and procedures through the use of a personal computer.
• Prepare and issue citations to violators of the law or appropriate ordinances.
• Check reports and citations for legal sufficiency, completeness, correct spelling, grammar and construction.
• Determine customer needs and the information or service to satisfy those needs through thoughtful and knowledgeable questioning.
• Take an appropriate course of action and provide other city staff members; employees of other law enforcement agencies; probation, parole and jail employees; employees of the district attorney's office; employees of the department of motor vehicles; employees of ambulance companies and emergency medical treatment clinics with the necessary information.
• Identify and preserve crime scenes, as necessary, by photographing the scene, searching for clues, preserving evidence for later use and arresting criminal violators.
• Assist, coordinate and cooperate with other law enforcement officers and agencies; provide, obtain or coordinate information for crime-solving purposes.
• Provide testimony in municipal, county and district court regarding police cases, including observations made, statements taken and evidence collected during a specific crime.
• Prepare for and provide courtroom testimony as necessary in the prosecution of persons accused of criminal activity and violations of the law or ordinances.
• Operate an assigned police vehicle under normal and emergency driving circumstances, as authorized and in accordance with established department procedures and state law.
• Provide information, advice and assistance to business-owners and employees, homeowners and citizens regarding crime prevention.
• Operate a personal computer with assigned software to enter and retrieve data, write and review reports correspondence, forms, notes and other written materials from handwritten copy, handwritten notes, typed copy, interviews, taped voice recordings, in-person voice dictation and other source documents; check for accuracy, completeness, correct spelling and grammar; review the work prior to obtaining approvals and signatures; make and distribute copies as required.
• Support the organizational mission, goals, values and management philosophy.
• Incorporate the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics into the day-to-day delivery of police services.
• Maintain a positive image and project an esprit de corps that gives the community the sense of confidence and trust that is essential when delivering law enforcement services.
• Deliver the highest possible quality of service.
• Treat the community, other public safety agencies, and members of the department with the respect and the extra effort that typifies the best expectations of the Littleton Police Department.
• Provide credible testimony.
• May serve as an Emergency Worker.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
• Death and Disability Plan through FPPA
• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance (1.5x salary)
• Bi-weekly Monetary Uniform Cleaning Allowance
• Basic Uniform Issue and Annual Monetary Uniform/Equipment Purchase Allowance
• Overtime (pay or comp time) at 1.5x hourly wage over 10h/day or 40/h week
• Comp Time Bank (earned as overtime)
• Paid Court Time
• Paid Vacation/Holiday Time: 1 year thru 4 years: 248 Hours Annually; 5 years thru 9 years: 268 Hours Annually; 10 years thru 14 years: 288 Hours Annually; 15 years thru 19 years: 308 Hours Annually; Over 20 years: 328 Hours Annually
• Paid Sick Leave-10 hours per month
• Full Line of Duty Injury Leave
• Sworn Retiree Health Plan after minimum age 57 and 15 years of service
• On-Call/Call-Out Pay
• Educational Incentive-Time Off for BA/BS degree and above
• Defense of Civil Claims Article
• Line of Duty Death Benefit
• Bereavement Leave
• Officer Privacy Article

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree