Lateral Police Officer

Salary: $41.28 - $57.26 Hourly
Location : City of Thornton; Justice Center, CO
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 26186
Department: Police
Division: Patrol
Opening Date: 07/07/2026
Closing Date: 7/17/2026 5:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Non-Exempt
WORK HOURS: ROTATING SHIFT WORK
PROBATION: Eighteen months
STATUS 2: FLSA NON-EXEMPT/POLICE UNION
BENEFITS: SEE BENEFITS TAB

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.
• 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, 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 $950 annually.

This is a lateral position only: must be Colorado POST certified with 2 years of Police patrol experience.
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 over 250,000.
Watch this video for instructions/tips on what we look for on your application!

Under specified supervision, performs a variety of public safety functions to serve and protect the community and to provide for the enforcement of federal, state and municipal law.
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.)


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


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


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


Intervenes in disputes, apprehends suspects, makes arrests, issues citations, identifies witnesses, conducts preliminary investigations, and re-establishes law and order at the scene. Interviews and/or counsels involved parties such as witnesses, suspects, students, and parents. Prepares documentation of activities performed and information gathered. Follows up on cases. Protects and preserves crime scenes.


Responds to calls for assistance, including assaults, fights, domestic disturbances, thefts, traffic accidents and 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.


Researches and completes special projects, such as policy and municipal ordinance development.


Works a varying schedule and/or shift.


May photograph and/or sketch crime scenes and accidents.


May serve in the public schools as a School Resource Officer. May serve as a member of the Crime Enforcement Reduction Team (CERT), SWAT team, traffic unit technical accident investigator or motorcycle officer and/or Crisis Negotiation Team. May serve as a field training officer, acting field supervisor, police training instructor, or recruit academy coordinator.


May be required to work overtime.


Performs work that requires the use of specified respiratory equipment that guards against exposure to airborne hazards. Complies with all Municipal, State and Federal physical requirements as per Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) guidelines.


Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience:
High school diploma or GED, must be at least 21 years of age. Must have at least two years of Police patrol experience. Outside experience will be evaluated to determine the extent of equivalency to the duties of a Thornton Police Officer.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) certificate required. Provisional certification will also be accepted.

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 law enforcement principles, practices and techniques of patrol, investigation, surveillance, court procedures, community relations, weapon use, traffic control, report preparation, and custody of persons and property.
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.
Skill in the proper use of standard law enforcement equipment including weaponry, communications equipment, surveillance equipment, safety equipment, and laser and radar guns.
Skill in the safe and lawful operation of assigned police vehicles.
Ability to successfully complete all medical and fit testing as required for the use of personal protective respiratory equipment.
Ability to wear SCBA gear and/or respiratory protection.
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 physically protect oneself and others in threatening situations, and the ability to subdue and control individuals as required.
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 research, develop and lead formal and informal presentations and discussions with diverse groups.
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 comply with all physical requirements of SCBA and/or any other respiratory protection equipment including passing all medical and fit testing. 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 View email address on click.appcast.io to receive a copy of our current Benefits Guide.

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

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options
• Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy
• Flexible Spending Plan
• Post Employment Health Plan
• Retirement & Deferred Compensation Plans
• Short & Long-term Disability Plans
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation & Sick Leave
• Multilingual Incentive Pay
• Recreation Pass
• Wellness Program
• In-House Training Opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

01


Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you POST certified in Colorado or another state?

• Yes, in the state of Colorado
• Yes, in another state
• No

03


If you answered "Yes" to question #2, please provide your POST ID number.
04


Please select the appropriate range of your experience as a Police Officer (do not count any time worked in a jail).

• None
• Less than 2 years
• At least 2 years, but less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

05


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06


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

• Yes
• No

07


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

• Yes
• No

08


Have you ever been convicted of domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

09


Have you been subjected to any disciplinary action from any place of employment (current or previous) in the last 5 years?

• Yes
• No

10


Have you been fired or asked to resign from any previous job in the last 5 years? This is NOT to include a "lay off" of "reduction in force" that was outside your control.

• Yes
• No

11


If you answered "Yes" to questions 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 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.)
12


Check your drug usage for any of the drugs below that you have EVER used. Check ALL that apply.Marijuana, Hashish, Hashish Oil, Methamphetamine, PCP, Inhalants, Ecstasy, GHB, Cocaine, Crack, Mescaline/Peyote, Psilocybin (mushrooms), Amphetamines, Barbituates or Steroids.

• Marijuana, Hashish, Hashish Oil
• Methamphetamine
• PCP
• Inhalants
• Ecstasy
• GHB
• Cocaine
• Crack
• Mescaline/Peyote
• Psilocybin (mushrooms)
• Amphetamines
• Barbituates
• Steroids
• Never used drugs

13


In response to question #12, please list the drug type used and month and year of last use for each box you checked . If you answered that you have never used the listed drug(s), 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.)
14


Do you speak a language other than English?

• Yes
• No

15


If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please list what language(s) you can speak.
16


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

• Yes
• No

17


The city of 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?

• Yes
• No

Required Question