Police Agent; Academy Recruits and Laterals; Police Officer

Position: Police Agent (July 2026 Academy) Recruits and Laterals (Police Officer)

Police Agent (July 2026 Academy) Recruits and Laterals (Police Officer)

Salary (from): $78,000

Salary (to): $

Apply by: 3/01/2026

Salary Range: $78,000 - $/year

Description

The nationally recognized and accredited City of Lakewood Police Department is now accepting ongoing applications for the expected July 2026 Academy. Applications are accepted through the city's website. We have monthly testing dates available:
February 9-10 and March 16-17. We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage ethnic minorities and women to apply. The City of Lakewood offers excellent benefits.

Qualification Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age at date of hire.
• Have obtained a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a nationally accredited university by July 1, 2026.

State Requirements for Police Officers in Colorado, including Lakewood Police Lateral Agents

• No felony convictions.
• No convictions of misdemeanor crimes that would affect your ability to certify with the Colorado Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board. See POST website for a list. Generally traffic violations do not fall under these restrictions; however, you must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver's license by the date of hire.

Lateral Police Agent Requirements

• Possess an active Colorado POST certification or an active state equivalent.
• Not currently under Internal Affairs investigation for any reason.
• A minimum of three (3) years of patrol duty while employed full time by a state, county or municipal police department or sheriff's office department similar to that found in most urban and suburban settings.
• Experience at a correctional facility, a Federal or Military Police Officer, or Police Academy training does not count toward the three-year minimum.

Types of experience NOT regarded as "law enforcement" experience for lateral applicants:

• Deputy/Officer employed in a jail/prison setting
• "Full Service" employment in a university setting
• A military police officer
• A District Attorney investigator
• Employment on a part-time basis
• Time spent in a training academy

Salary Information

• Upon Hire as an Academy Recruit: $78,000.00
• Entry into Field Training: $83,241.60
• Graduation from Field Training: $88,816.00
• Two Years from Date of Hire: $94,764.80
• Three Years from Date of Hire (Veteran & starting salary*): $
• Four Years from Date of Hire (Lateral with 4 years of patrol experience): $
• Five Years from Date of Hire (Lateral with 5 years of patrol experience): $

* Military Leadership Incentive:
The Lakewood Police Department values the leadership experience and service-minded culture of our Nation’s military. To honor those values and to attract selected veterans as potential hires for our police force, the Lakewood Police Department now offers starting lateral-transfer pay (which is $), for veterans which fall into either one of the below categories:

• Any service member or veteran, E-5 and above, with a bachelor’s degree and five years of active duty service.
• Any service member or veteran, E-5 and above, with a bachelor's degree and eight years of reserve/guard service or six years of reserve/guard service in a law enforcement AFSC/MOS/NEC.

This benefit extends only to veteran pay. All veterans must still submit a full application package (which will honor your Veterans Preference points), meet all of Lakewood’s standards and complete the full police academy and field training.

Responsibilities

In an entry level capacity, performs Police Officer duties, including but not limited to communicating information, dealing with critical and dangerous situations, safely driving in routine and emergency situations, effecting arrests, transporting arrestees, gathering information from victims, witnesses and suspects, handling firearms with proficiency and safety, working a rotating shift. New Recruits will be paid during their training, which includes a 24 week academy and 16 weeks of field training.

Essential

Functions

• Communicating Through Radio – Comprehending radio transmissions and transmitting information effectively.
• Dealing with High Pressure and Potentially Dangerous Situations – Recognizing, exercising sound judgment and maintaining calm in danger.
• Detec…