Police Officer (Lateral)

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

October 14, 2026

Compensation Details:

Full Pay Range

39.53 - 56.33

This is a full-time hourly position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

BPOA (20+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

The City of Boulder Police Department is continuously seeking experienced, service-driven law enforcement professionals who lead with integrity, professionalism, humanity, and courage. This evergreen recruitment is designed to establish a qualified pool of lateral candidates for current and future vacancies throughout the year. 

As a Boulder Police Officer, you will protect life and property, preserve public safety, and build meaningful partnerships within our diverse community through proactive, community-oriented policing. Officers respond to calls for service, conduct criminal and traffic enforcement, perform investigations, engage in problem-solving initiatives, and collaborate with residents, businesses, and partner agencies to address public safety concerns. 

Boulder Police Officers are empowered to think critically, act decisively, and serve compassionately while upholding the highest ethical standards. This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact in one of Colorado’s most engaged and progressive communities.

Employees with prior law enforcement experience may be paid at a level above the starting hourly rate as shown in the table below. The step which new employees enter the salary schedule is determined by the Chief of Police and Human Resources and years of service you bring as a Police Officer.  


Step  Hourly Rate 

Starting  39.53

Step 1  41.10 

Step 2  42.75 

Step 3  45.27 

Step 4  47.99
 
Step 5  50.86 

Step 6  56.33 

Additionally, you are eligible for sign-on bonus(es) if:

You live in Colorado and are currently Colorado POST certified

$5,000 at hire and $5,000 upon successful completion of Probation Period

You live outside of Colorado

$5,000 upon the successful challenge of Colorado POST

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patrols a designated area of the city on foot, bicycle, and/or in a radio-equipped patrol car.

• Performs complex investigations, renders service, enforces traffic and criminal laws, and generally provides for the safety of the public.

• Interacts and works with diverse groups of people within the department and the community, renders service and collects information.

• Uses problem solving skills, creativity, and innovative approaches to identify community concerns; presents options for courses of action; identifies resources; plans for implementation of desired changes, and evaluates success by obtaining information and increasing knowledge of persons and conditions within an assigned area.

• Works with community members to identify and analyze crime and other problems within an assigned area and designs strategies to address those problems.

• Anticipates crime trends and makes plans to break negative patterns before they become established.

• Creates an environment in which community members are motivated to organize and assist in the implementation of problem-solving strategies; frequently works with youth on various activities and special projects which are consistent with organizational values.

• Coordinates information and resources among other department employees, public and private agencies, and members of the public regarding crime problems and solutions by: working with other department employees (commissioned and non-commissioned) as well as public and private agencies in designing and implementing problem solving strategies.

• Locates and organizes resources needed to implement strategies. Consistently shares information with other department members.

• Establishes two-way communication and acts as an informational source to members of the public regarding crime problems and solutions.

• Complies with department policies, rules, regulations, instructions, laws and ordinances, and general literature pertaining to policing.

• Analyzes and interprets legal codes and criminal evidence.

• Thoroughly prepares written reports and memorandums summarizing information.

• Properly uses computers for reports, communications, and information retrieval.

• Professionally testifies in court regarding policing duties. Must be a credible witness.

• Provides regular and reliable attendance to job duties.

• Affects arrest.

• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.

• Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents.

• Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment.

• Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures.

• Reports all accidents and damage to city property.

• Works a varying shift or schedule.

• Works overtime as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to successfully pass a standardized police officer test.

• Ability to successfully pass the Physical Agility Testing (PAT). More information is at www.BPD.jobs.

• Ability to give clear, audible and concise commands.

• Ability to restrain and arrest suspects after receiving training.

• Ability to demonstrate proficient use of weapons after receiving training.

• Ability to operate a two-radio after training.

• Ability to learn to use observation skills to learn new information and appropriately apply to situations.

• Ability to appropriately accept constructive criticism.

• Ability to learn the geography of the local area.

• Ability to perform essential physical functions of the job.

• Ability to comply with laws, rules, and regulations.

• Ability to demonstrate adaptability, initiative, and dependability.

• Skills in effective oral and written communication.

• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of application.

• Valid Driver’s License and ability to maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.

• Have and maintain acceptable background information including criminal conviction history. More requirements are outlined in the Background Information section.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Qualified applicants will be required to complete several stages of interviews and testing, pass a job suitability assessment, may need to pass a physical abilities test, and complete a thorough background investigation including a CVSA/Polygraph and a medical evaluation with drug screen. Applicants must be able to demonstrate personal and professional honesty, integrity, sound judgment as shown in applicant’s criminal history, background, motor vehicle record, and use of drugs and alcohol. Preference will be given to applicants who have no history of use, sale or possession of illegal substances. 

The following will disqualify any applicant from consideration: 

• Any felony conviction 

• Commission of a felony, whether convicted or not within the past 5 years 

• Commission of any non-traffic related misdemeanor, whether convicted or not within the past 3 years 

• Excessive number of traffic violations 

• Use, even by prescription, of any product containing THC within 3 months prior to an anticipated hire date.

• Any marijuana business ownership or interest within the past 3 years 

• The use, sale, possession, or transfer of any illegal controlled substance within the past 2 years (examples: Cocaine, Heroin, LSD, Methamphetamine, MDMA,).  

• Unlawful sale or fraudulently obtaining any controlled scheduled substance with the past 5 years (Examples: Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Sleep Medication, Codeine, Morphine, etc.)

• Use of a substance prescribed to another person will be reviewed for substance type, frequency, and length of time.

• Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Four-year college degree from an accredited college or university.

• Colorado Peace Officer Certification (refer to the P.O.S.T. web site at  http://www.ago.state.co.us/post/brochure.html ).

• Experience and demonstrable skills working with computers.

• Knowledge of the Boulder area and community.

• Skills in bilingual English and Spanish or English and South East Asian languages.

• Skills and documented proficiency in the use of a double action semi-auto handgun (9mm, .40 cal or .45 cal), 12 gage shotgun and/or patrol rifles (Colt AR-15, Ruger Mini-14).

• Hiring preference may be given to in-state candidates.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must have sixty (60) accredited college credit hours, all at a grade C or better, OR fulfilled US active military duty commitment with an honorable discharge, OR two (2) years of police officer experience commensurate with municipal police work. (The Boulder Police Department is the sole authority on determining if an applicant's experience meets these standards). College credit hours must be from a U.S. Department of Education accredited college or university, or applicant must supply written verification that credits would transfer to a college or university that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education. All credit hours must have been completed at time of appointment.

• For lateral transfers, candidates must have two (2) years of full-time police officer employment as a sworn, non-military law enforcement officer assigned to patrol or investigative functions with authority to make arrests, enforce, and investigate Federal or State or Local laws; and statutory authority to carry a firearm for employment. 

• Ability to obtain Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) certificate within 6 months of hire date.

• Lateral applicants must have POST certification at time of hire. Out of state Laterals must be in good standing with their state/agency(ies) and must be eligible for a Colorado POST provisional certification upon hire. 

SUPERVISION

Supervision received: Sergeant
Supervision exercised: None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Physical and Mental Effort: Primarily active physical work, which requires occasional lifting over 100 lbs, frequent lifting up to 50lbs, and constant lifting up to 30lbs. Constant walking, standing, or sitting for up to 8-10 hrs/day. Constant and repetitive use of the hands for simple grasping and fine manipulation. Frequent and repetitive use of the feet in the operation of the foot controls of a vehicle. Occasional pushing of items up to 80# and pulling of items up to 100#. Frequent bending, squatting and kneeling. Occasional running, climbing, reaching overhead, crawling, and digging. Frequent eye/hand coordination necessary. Vision, speech and hearing all necessary. Corrected visual acuity of 20/20 in both eyes; no marked red-green deficiency of color vision and no dimming of red objects; normal depth perception; no significant interference with night vision; no significant loss of peripheral vision; strabismus which is accompanied by double vision and not correctable. This will also include no hearing loss of greater than 46 decibels in the 3,000 cps range. Ability to complete and maintain physical training requirements. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions.

• Work Environment: May work outdoors year-round regardless of weather conditions. Works in a setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.

• Machines and equipment used: Frequently uses/wears weapons and specialized equipment associated with policing and operates police vehicle. Uses standard office equipment including computer, typewriter, scanner, digital camera, fax/photocopy machine, calculator, pager, and cell phone.

As part of the City of Boulder’s commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or policy.