Police Officer - or Lateral

Location: Cottonwood Police Department

Department: Police Department

Employment type: Full Time

is an entry-level position prior to becoming acertified Police Officer. Participates in formal, structured training at a police academy as well as customized departmental training classes and field training program arranged by in-service trainers.

Police Officer Lateral

is someone who has current Arizona P.O.S.T.Peace Officer Certification or is eligible to obtain peace officer certification through the waiver process (see below).

Police Officer Waiver

is an applicant who meets one of the following conditions:
Has successfully completed field training, probation, and is currently operating as fully functional peace officer in municipal policing within the United States or its Territories; OR is a former Arizona P.O.S.T.certified peace officer who has left their position more than 3 years ago.
Applicant eligibility for the waiver (or out-of-state certified police officers) program will be determined during the background process.

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This is a non-exempt, full-time, classified position with full benefits.

Hiring range (26): $30.05 - $45.08 per hour.

Eligible for overtime at 1.5 regular pay forhours worked over 40 per week.

Certified Officers (Laterals) may receive up to 4% increase per year of sworn service over minimum starting wage, up to $70,349a year, depending on experience and as determined and approved by the Chief of Police and City Manager.

Physical Requirements

Work involved in this classification includes full time law enforcement activities including, but not limited to standing and/or walking for extended periods, short sprints, long pursuit running lasting over 2 minutes, running up and down stairs, pushing heavy objectssuchas vehicles, jumping over and around obstacles, lifting and carrying objects sometimes up and down stairs, using hands and feet in use of force situations,performance of appropriate defensive tactics and suspect control techniques,using force in short and long term (greater than 2 minutes) efforts, bending and reaching, dragging people and objects as in extracting victims from vehicles.

Applicants must have an equivalent of a high school diploma or GED, be a U.S. Citizen, be 21 years of age upon completion ofthe police academy, have no felony convictions, successfully complete the Arizona P.O.S.T. minimum certification requirements including a background questionnaire investigation and interview, polygraph examination, psychological test, medical examination and controlled substance screening. Must possess the ability to be clearly understood when speaking.

Note

Police Officers must meet the requirements of Cottonwood Police Department Policy 1023 Personal Appearance Standards.

Specifically, section 1023.3 and 1023.4 which states officers will not display body piercing (with limited exceptions for female employees).

Veteran preferences shall be as provided per Arizona Revised Statute § 38-492.

File Name

303 - Police Officer 07-01-2026.docx