Police Officer Recruit

Salary : $38.18 Hourly

Location : City of Thornton; Justice Center, CO

Job Type : Regular Full-Time

Job Number : 25077

Department : Police

Division : Patrol

Opening Date : 02 / 21 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 7 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Mountain

FLSA : Non-Exempt

WORK HOURS : ROTATING SHIFT WORK

PROBATION : ONE YEAR (IF NOT CURRENTLY A CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE)

STATUS 2 : FLSA NON-EXEMPT / CAREER SERVICE INCLUDED

BENEFITS : SEE BENEFITS TAB

Selected individuals will be invited to complete the written test on March 13th.

A key factor contributing to the success of the Thornton Police Department is our dedication in pursuing top candidates to join our team. We believe in hiring the best, recognizing that you will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. We value all members of our organization and create an environment that encourages our core values of TEAMWORK , LEADERSHIP , ACCOUNTABILITY , SAFETY , INTEGRITY , and SERVICE .

The City of Thornton possesses a productive work culture where you will be encouraged to continually strive to develop and improve yourself personally and professionally. By joining our team you are choosing to be part of an exciting profession that delivers unparalleled job satisfaction.

To learn more, visit our Thornton Police Department Recruitment page by selecting this

Additional Benefits for Sworn Police Officers Include :

• Police Officer pay progression : The City of Thornton has a step pay plan in place for Police Officers. Step increases are received annually on anniversary dates contingent upon successful performance and availability of budget dollars.
• Longevity pay : Police Officers receive an additional 2% on their base salary for every 5 years of service up to 12%.
• Retirement : Sworn officers will make a pre-tax contribution to the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) Defined Benefit Plan of 12%. This mandatory contribution is in lieu of social security. In addition, the city offers a Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) administered by Nationwide. The city will match one-half of an employee's voluntary (pre-tax) contribution up to 1 percent.
• Retiree Healthcare : New retirees who have been enrolled in one of the city's medical plans prior to retirement, and have reached 20 years of service and are 55 years old, or 30 years of service and are 50 years old, may continue healthcare benefits through the city until they are Medicare-eligible or 65 years old, whichever comes first.
• Uniforms : Each officer is completely outfitted upon appointment (excluding firearms and footwear). Each officer also receives a uniform allowance of $884 annually.

If you are POST certified in Colorado or another state at the time of application, please do NOT apply to this posting or your application will not be considered. Please submit your application to the Police Officer job posting (#25080).

The City of Thornton Police Department is a mid-sized suburban department for the 6th largest city in Colorado. Total calls for service in the past year totaled approximately 250,000.

Selected candidates will be sponsored at a law enforcement academy of the City's choice. It is the candidates' responsibility to successfully pass all required skills in firearms, driving and arrest control as well as completing the POST exam and obtaining a passing score prior to academy graduation.

Watch this video for instructions / tips on what we look for on your application!

Under immediate training supervision, performs a variety of public safety training functions in preparation to serve and protect the community and to provide for the enforcement of federal, state and municipal law. These individuals are hired without a Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Performs a variety of law enforcement training services, including patrolling streets and other public places on an assigned shift.

Performs training activities associated with investigations and crime prevention; writes detailed police reports; collects physical evidence. Assists with filing cases; testifies in court.

Trains in the dissemination of information, assistance or directions to the public; emphasizes community policing through public meetings and speaking directly with citizens; performs a variety of public relations training and public education training duties.

Performs practice training interventions in disputes, apprehending suspects, making arrests, issuing citations, identifying witnesses, conducting preliminary investigations, and re-establishing law and order at the scene. Performs practice interviewing and / or counseling scenarios with involved parties such as witnesses, suspects, students, and parents. Prepares documentation of activities performed and information gathered. Follows up on cases.

Learns how to protect and preserve crime scenes.

Responds to field calls for assistance, including assaults, fights, domestic disturbances, thefts, traffic accidents, traffic control, and other criminal or civil complaints; transports prisoners to detention facilities as necessary.

Interacts with other jurisdictions, law enforcement agencies and courts of law.

Works a varying schedule and / or shift.

Learns how to photograph and / or sketch crime scenes and accidents.

Serves as a member of traffic and community problem solving team, SWAT team, technical accident investigator team, and / or Crisis Negotiation Team during training sessions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education / Experience :

High school diploma or GED. Must be at least 21 years of age by January 1, 2026.

Licensing / Certification Requirements :

Upon successful completion of the assigned CPOST academic training, must successfully pass CPOST Certification Examination and obtain CPOST certificate on the initial offering.

Valid Colorado driver's license with a safe driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.

Knowledge of Constitutional rights, Colorado Revised Statutes, Thornton Municipal Code, and Model Traffic Code.

Knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Knowledge of and ability to apply appropriate self-defense techniques.

Knowledge of the boundaries, streets, neighborhoods, and business areas of the city of Thornton.

Ability to apply departmental policies and procedures to police duties.

Ability to comprehend and apply ordinances, statutes, laws and higher court rulings applicable to law enforcement activities and responsibilities.

Ability to apply police science skills and techniques to assigned duties in patrol, traffic, investigation or laboratory activities.

Ability to testify in court.

Ability to prepare accurate and concise reports and records that may be used as evidence in courts of law.

Ability to learn photography and forensic skills if assigned to investigations.

Ability to use standard office equipment, personal computer and job-related computer applications including electronic mail.

Ability to listen well and communicate effectively with various audiences.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with city employees, supervisors, the general public, other jurisdictions and court officials.

Ability to enforce ordinances, statutes and laws fairly, firmly and impartially.

Physical and Mental Requirements :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to balance, sit, stand, reach, walk, run, stoop, kneel, crouch, push, pull, lift, twist, demonstrate manual dexterity, grasp, talk, hear, and see. The employee must be able to physically restrain combative individuals. The employee is required to work regular shifts, stay alert during prolonged periods of stationary or repetitive activity and to remain calm during stressful or possibly life-threatening situations.

TESTING PROCEDURES

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and / or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and / or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.

The City of Thornton is an equal opportunity employer.

The City of Thornton offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefit eligibility is based on the status of the position. Please email Jobs@thorntonco.gov to receive a copy of our 2024 Benefits Guide.

Benefits offered may include the following depending on the job type / status of the position :

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options

Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy

Flexible Spending Plan

Retiree Health Savings Plan

Pension Plan & Deferred Compensation Plans

Short & Long-term Disability Plans

Paid Holidays

Vacation & Sick Leave

Multilingual Incentive Pay

Recreation Pass

Wellness Program - Learn more

In-House Training Opportunities

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Schedules

Hybrid Schedules

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

Are you at least 21 years of age?

If you answered no to the previous question, will you be 21 by January 1, 2026?

Are you currently POST certified in Colorado or another state? If you answer "Yes" DO NOT apply under this posting.

Are you currently enrolled in a POST Academy?

If you answered "Yes" to the question above, what is your anticipated graduation date?

Do you have a valid driver's license?

In regard to your driving history, have you had a restricted license or any suspensions, cancellations, denials, revocations, or any other loss of license in the last 3 years?

In regard to your driving history, have you been convicted of reckless driving in the last 3 years?

Have you ever been convicted of domestic violence?

Within the last five years, have you been subjected to any disciplinary action at your place of employment?

Have you been fired or asked to resign from any previous job in the last 10 years? This is NOT to include a "lay off" of "reduction in force" that was outside your control.

If you answered "Yes" to questions #8, #9, #10, #11, and / or #12, please explain in detail the circumstances surrounding the incident(s). If you answered "No", please enter "N / A". (Please note, answering yes does not automatically disqualify you from employment. The nature of the incidents and dates will be taken into consideration.)

When answering the below question regarding your drug use, note that the city of Thornton observes Federal laws as it pertains to Marijuana. Please check your drug usage in regard to previous / current drug usage for Marijuana, Hashish or Hashish Oil.

Other than medication prescribed to you , please check your drug usage in regard to previous / current drug usage for Methamphetamine, PCP, Inhalants, Ecstasy, GHB, Cocaine, Crack, Mescaline / Peyote, Psilocybin (mushrooms), Amphetamines, Barbituates, or LSD.

In response to the drug questions above, please list the drug type(s) used and year of last use. If you answered that you have never used drugs to both drug questions , please enter "N / A". (Please note, answering that you have used any drugs does not automatically disqualify you from employment. The nature of the use and dates will be taken into consideration.)

Are you living 200 miles from 9551 Civic Center Drive, Thornton?

Have you included every job you've held in the last 10 years on your application?

Do you understand that any false or untrue statements or material omissions in your application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration?

The Thornton Police Department is a typical mid-sized suburban department with calls for service volume around 250,000 per year. Do you understand the environment can be high stress and fast paced with little downtime?

Required Question

Salary : $884