Lateral Police Officer - Continuous

Join the Parker Police Department – Make a Real Impact on Your Community!!

Are you passionate about serving your community and contributing to positive change?

The Parker Police Department provides exemplary year-round, 24-hour service to citizens of the Town of Parker and adheres to the highest standards of ethical behavior. The department’s primary objective is to provide a safe community environment in Parker with the highest level of service possible. The organization is committed to safeguarding the community through the philosophy of community policing, making Parker a great place to live, work, and play.  

The community policing philosophy encourages police officers to get out of their cars, get to know the people in the community, build trust and problem-solving partnerships with community members, and work to improve the quality of life in Parker. The Police Department actively participates in community support activities, such as National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop and youth educational programs. 

The Parker Police Department is looking for dedicated individuals to join our team. As a vital part of our department, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a supportive, collaborative environment.  We believe that leadership can emerge at every level, and we value the contributions of each team member. By working together, we strive to find solutions that improve our community and enhance public safety.

We provide continuous training and support to help you strengthen your skills and advance within the department. We would be honored to have you join the Town of Parker family!

Employees are eligible to apply for some special assignments, duties, and instructorships (DOE) after successful completion of twelve (12) month probationary period.

Learn more about our agency here!!

NOTE: This is a continuous posting for Lateral Police Officer only. If you do not meet the criteria for a Lateral Police Officer please apply for Police Officer or Police Officer Trainee, whichever best fits your qualifications. Lateral opportunities are dependent on length of time in a police officer capacity, not including employment within the areas of correction, detention or academy attendance.  Candidates MUST have at least one (1) year of solo patrol experience to be considered as a Lateral Officer. 

NOTE: A list of disqualifiers for this position MUST be read prior to applying for this position. This list can be viewed at www.ParkerOnline.org/PoliceEmploymentDisqualifiers. Be sure to select the 'Sworn/Trainee Position Applicant Disqualifiers' option for the correct list. 

In addition to career growth, we offer an outstanding benefits package, including:

Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance, voluntary term life insurance, FPPA retirement plan, 457 retirement plan, holiday pay, vacation, sick leave, educational assistance program, employee assistance program and a family membership to the Parker Recreation Center and/or Field House. Benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of those plans and the summary plan descriptions, which are subject to annual budget and appropriations by Town Council.

Under limited supervision, this position carries out duties and the laws of the Town of Parker, State of Colorado, and the United States of America. Working in partnership with the community to identify and resolve issues of concern, this position provides public safety services to the community, and maintains peace, safety, and order. This position exercises considerable judgment, initiative, and skill in a variety of situations and must be able to complete work without direct supervision.  

*This position performs duties deemed to be safety sensitive. Employees holding this position participate in pre-employment and random drug testing under Town’s policies*Examples of Essential Duties
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties. The below list is intended to be illustrative of the responsibilities of this position and is not all encompassing. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and the Town may change these duties at any time.
 

• Responds to calls for service.
• Interprets and upholds various laws.  
• Prevents, discovers, and investigates crime.
• Preserves public order, protects lives and property and maintains public safety.
• Applies knowledge, reason, and appropriate judgment to make prompt, effective decisions after evaluating alternative courses of action.
• Initiates citizen contacts, traffic stops, and investigates suspicious occurrences through community policing strategies. 
• Interacts with citizens to identify issues of concern, works together to resolve concerns. 
• Facilitates community problem solving and takes enforcement action when appropriate.
• Observes, listens, and analyzes activities in a wide variety of situations; makes valid assessments of relevant issues, problems, and potential solutions.
• Investigates, gathers evidence, locates, and interviews relevant persons; makes arrests when required, takes necessary police action, prepares reports, and cases for prosecution, and testifies in court.
• Acts with sensitivity to the feelings of others, does not contribute to antagonism, interacts effectively with diverse groups, utilizes de-escalation practices, acts courteous/respectful, and uses good customer service skills.
• Communicates effectively with a wide variety of people verbally and in writing, under varied circumstances, listens, understands and resolves problems and potential solutions.
• Participates with others on work groups or committees to accomplish necessary additional tasks, i.e. PTO, School Programs, crime prevention officer, range officer, D.R.E., bicycle patrol, business associations, or neighborhood groups.
• Establishes positive relationships with citizens, business, and other members of the community.
• Completes required paperwork including but not limited to reports, citations, and warrant paperwork.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and as described in the Parker Police Department Policy and Procedure Manual; may serve in a specialized assignment capacity.

 Minimum Qualifications
Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of employment and a Colorado P.O.S.T. certification as a Level 1 Peace Officer is required, or Provisional letter from Colorado P.O.S.T. by date of hire.  If POST certified in another state you MUST be able to provide a Provisional Certification letter from Colorado POST by date of hire.  In addition, you MUST complete the provisional process with Colorado POST within six (6) months which includes taking the POST written certification exam and the three (3) skills exams to receive Basic certification in Colorado. 

MUST have at least one (1) year of solo patrol experience to be considered as a Lateral Officer.

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid Driver's License issued by the State of Colorado for the type of vehicle or equipment operated; safe driving record and a minimum of two (2) years of driving history.

All applicants must be currently employed full-time by a state, county, or municipal police or sheriff's department as a sworn Police Officer. Correction, Detention or academy employment does not qualify.

Must have the ability to pass all phases of the selection process for Lateral Police Officer.

The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, certification and/or licensure required. An equivalent combination of education and experience to perform the essential duties and meet the necessary employment standards may be considered.

Formal education, often achieved through completion of a bachelor’s or associate degree, in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice or a related field is preferred. 
 
Employment Standards
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Knowledge of modern police principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of human nature, human problems, and problem-solving methods.
• Knowledge of incident command protocol.
• Skill in interpersonal communications skills, including working effectively with a variety of town staff, elected officials and the public.
• Skills in research and report preparation.
• Skill in maintaining proficiency with equipment used in policing, including but not limited to vehicles, firearms, defensive weapons, radio, computer, radar, and an intoxilizer. 
• Skill in maintaining certifications and training relevant to law enforcement.
• Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Ability to learn and interpret relevant town, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to learn and navigate geography and roadways.
• Ability to read and write the English language effectively.
• Ability to maintain proficiency in the use of police equipment.
• Ability to perform work which requires good physical condition.
• Ability to follow both verbal and written instructions and the ability to issue clear concise verbal and or written instructions.
• Ability to problem solve and function under pressure.
• Ability to load, unload, aim and fire handguns from a variety of positions at levels of proficiency and safety prescribed by qualification standards. 
• Ability to hear, understand and comprehend radio transmissions to respond appropriately to unforeseeable events and calls that characterize police work. Ability to hear and distinguish sounds and remain vigilant to potential hazardous/dangerous situations to self and others. 
• Ability to counsel and mentor others.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check including but not limited to: drug screen, criminal history search, credit check and polygraph examination. 

Working Conditions
The working conditions described below are representative of those an employee generally encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties.
 
Tools & Equipment
Requires frequent use of a police car, radio, radar, laser, handgun, and other weapons as required; emergency equipment, handcuffs, cellular phone, personal computer, various computer software packages, first aid equipment, bicycle, and other equipment as assigned.
 
Physical Demands
Requires varying degrees of physical demands, some sedentary, some requiring strenuous physical effort. While wearing approximately fifteen to twenty pounds (15-20 lbs.) of equipment including but not limited to bullet proof vest and equipment belt a member in this job may be required to:
 

• Lift and/or move objects weighing two-hundred (200) pounds or more, including the limp body of a person.
• Physically wrestle, struggle, fight, restrain, or otherwise subdue/restrain uncooperative people of various abilities, strength and/or quickness to rescue endangered persons, or physically separate individuals who are fighting, or preparing to fight.
• Be able to pinch, grab and manipulate index finger in order to fire a weapon.
• Climb a ladder, a fence at least 5 feet in height, climb to a roof, or other obstacles.
• Jump over obstacles or ditches and negotiate passage through difficult terrain or areas.
• Effectively function for extended periods of time with little rest and varied sleep patterns.
• Function fully in darkness and daylight, close and distance vision acuity, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust his or her focus, allowing a broad field of vision.
• Perform First Aid/CPR functions at accident and disaster scenes.
• Operate a law enforcement vehicle safely in non-emergency (routine) and emergency situations, including various weather conditions at various speeds.
• Members of the motorcycle unit must be able to right a laid over motorcycle from the ground that weighs approximately 620 pounds.

 
Environment
Work is frequently performed in outside conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions, hot (may be extreme) and/or cold (may be extreme) conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals, airborne particles, and vibrations. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places or with explosives.

This is a continuous posting to fill multiple vacancies. This posting may close at any time with or without notice.

Work hours will vary. Shift work required. Days, evenings, weekend and holiday hours will be required. 

Continuous Timeline: (subject to change)
*Applications will be reviewed by Command Staff as received and testing emails will be sent upon application approval.
Note: Testing includes: Release forms, Typing Test, Written Exam and Video Interview. Must pass all testing phases to move to Oral Board process. The sooner all phases of testing are complete the sooner an invitation to Oral Board Interviews will occur.
*Oral Board Interviews: Conducted approximately every two (2) weeks. Candidates will be notified via phone or email regarding interview times/dates.
*Chief Interviews & Backgrounds: On-going

Lateral Police Officer Pay is based on the current Police Step Plan as follows:
Police Officer 2 = 1 -2 years of experience $42.35 ($88,088.00 annually) 
Police Officer 3 = 2 - 3 years of experience $44.89 ($93,371.20 annually)   
Police Officer 4 = 3 - 4 years of experience $47.58 ($98,966.40 annually)  
Police Officer 5 = 4 - 5 years of experience $50.44 (104,915.20 annually) 
Police Officer 6 = 5 or more years of experience $53.46 ($111,188.06 annually) 

2024 Parker Police Full Step Plan: Step 1: $39.95 ($83,096.00 annually), Step 2: $42.35 ($88,088.00 annually),Step 3: $44.89 ($93,371.20 annually), Step 4: $47.58 ($98,966.40 annually), Step 5: $50.44 (104,915.20 annually), Step 6: $53.46 ($111,188.06 annually) 

2025 Parker Police Full Step Plan (Effective March 2025): Step 1: $40.75 ($86,453), Step 2: $43.19 ($89,843 annually), Step 3: $45.79 ($95,234 annually), Step 4: $48.53 ($100,948 annually), Step 5: $51.44 ($107,005), Step 6: $54.53 ($113,425)

Vacation Accrual amounts start at 3 weeks/year and may be increased up to a five (5) year accrual rate depending on length of time as a Lateral Officer. 

Inquiries related to this job posting may be sent to moliver@parkerco.gov.  

An online application for this position is required. To apply, visit the employment page of our website, www.parkeronline.org/employment.  We do not accept resumes or applications from 3rd party sites. The Town of Parker is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.   

Salary : $45 - $111,188