Police Officer (POST certified or Currently in Academy Required)

Lafayette Recruitment Team • Lafayette, CO

47d • $40 - $53 • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Lafayette is seeking lateral and entry-level Police Officers to provide professional, ethical, impartial, and community-oriented law enforcement services to residents and visitors. Police Officers enforce federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; protect life and property; and provide public assistance. The role includes training and development in law enforcement practices and procedures, as well as handling law enforcement, public assistance, and protection duties. Entry-level applicants must be Colorado POST-certified or currently attending the police academy. Successfully hired entry-level candidates are eligible for police academy tuition reimbursement. The position requires a high level of sustained physical activity, clear communication, sound judgment under stress, and the ability to respond to emergencies and incidents, make arrests, and help keep the community safe and orderly. Officers may need to use defensive physical tactics and may be required to consider and use lawful deadly force. Work includes responding to crime scenes and major incidents, frequent work outdoors, considerable time in a patrol vehicle, and exposure to hazards and stressful situations. Shift work includes weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. The department’s tattoo policy requires visible tattoos on designated areas of the arms, hands, neck, or face to be covered with approved material.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be Colorado POST-certified within one year of appointment.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Class R Colorado driver's license and have a safe driving record.
• Must meet one of the following experience or education pathways: 30 semester hours of college completed; two years of military service with honorable discharge; one year of experience as a sworn police officer or corrections officer in a duly constituted governmental law enforcement agency or correctional institution; or a combination of these categories approved by the City's Human Resources Department or equivalent training and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to develop working knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes and ordinances; law enforcement principles, procedures, and practices; first aid and medical procedures; and the City and surrounding areas.
• Ability to develop skill in operating law enforcement vehicles and firearms, using related law enforcement equipment, and applying self-defense principles and practices.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and use logical thinking to determine an appropriate course of action quickly.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to perform sustained physical activity and meet the stated physical demands of the job.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing, and to direct, negotiate, and mediate.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to operate a patrol car, make decisions quickly and accurately, and occasionally defend oneself or others using defensive physical tactics.
• Must comply with the department tattoo policy by covering visible tattoos in the specified areas with approved material.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the City on foot and in a police vehicle to enforce laws and ordinances and protect individuals and property.
• Respond to complaints, crimes, disturbances, accidents, emergencies, and other related situations.
• Conduct preliminary investigations, gather evidence and statements, document incident facts, and support charging decisions and follow-up investigations.
• Protect crime scenes.
• Appear in court to testify and confer with attorneys on legal questions.
• Arrest individuals as required.
• Prepare and maintain reports, records, and logs of daily activities and specific incidents.
• Observe and control vehicular traffic, enforce traffic laws, attend to traffic accidents, and establish roadblocks as necessary.
• Interact with the public, including counseling individuals and families in disturbance situations and assisting citizens and visitors with directions or roadside assistance.
• Maintain the required level of physical fitness.
• Perform related work as required and assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• FPPA.
• Life insurance equal to one year's salary up to $150,000, with an equal amount of AD&D coverage.
• Tuition assistance of up to $5,000 per year for approved expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program, including free counseling, travel assistance, and legal aid.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Bilingual pay.
• Police academy tuition reimbursement eligibility for successfully hired entry-level candidates.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED