Lateral Police Officer

h2About the Department/h2pThe Durango Police Department is accepting applications from experienced law enforcement professionals to join our team as Lateral Police Officers. This role involves a wide range of responsibilities, including enforcing laws, preventing crime, protecting lives and property, and delivering exceptional public service. Lateral Police Officers may also be assigned to specialized duties such as community policing, investigations, saturation patrols, or other impactful programs that enhance safety and community trust.nbsp;brbrStarting salary is dependent on experience. We offer anbsp;stronglateral entry program/strong for officers who are certified by the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) or possess equivalent certifications from other states that meet Colorado P.O.S.T. criteria. To recognize and reward experience, we also provide competitive bonuses:nbsp;brbrul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"listrong$3,000 bonus for officers with 1-3 years of experiencenbsp;/strong/lilistrong$6,000 for officers with 3 or more years of experiencenbsp;/strong/li/ulbrJoin the Durango Police Department to make a meaningful difference in our community while advancing your career in law enforcement!brbrdiv style="text-align: center;"img src="https://secure.neogov.com/images/AgencyImages/jobposting/11068/jobpostings/image/Police Department.png" style="width: 900px;" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/divdiv style="text-align: center;"nbsp;/divstrongemAbout the Department:nbsp;/em/strongbrbrstrongOur mission is to improve community safety and quality of life by reducing crime and its perception./strong We are committed to serving our diverse community with respect, dignity, integrity, and the utmost moral and ethical character. Driven by the ambition to become the premier law enforcement agency in the southwest region of Colorado, we leverage innovation and cutting-edge technologies. We focus on developing, retaining, and investing in the success of our team members. Through community engagement, we collaborate with citizens and local partners to address issues and improve quality of life, making Durango the best place to live, work, and play./ph2Position Duties/h2pstrong style=" font-weight: 700; color:inherit; font-style: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;" id="isPasted"emWhat You’ll Do in This Role: nbsp;/em/strongul style=" padding-left: 40px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 3pt; color:inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"liPatrol designated areas of the City to maintain law and order, prevent crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; check buildings for physical security.nbsp;/liliRespond to emergencies, including personal and property crimes such as assaults, traffic accidents, burglaries, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, and related incidents.nbsp;/liliCollect and process evidence such as fingerprints, fibers, and blood; photograph and preserve evidence to support crime investigations.nbsp;/liliEnforce traffic laws; monitor speeds with radar; issue warnings and citations.nbsp;/liliInterview suspects, victims, and witnesses in the field.nbsp;/liliDocument activities through detailed reports and proper preservation of evidence.nbsp;/liliArrest and process prisoners, conduct intoxilyzer tests, and manage prisoner bookings and transfers.nbsp;/liliServe warrants, conduct police raids, and perform bar checks.nbsp;/liliProvide accurate and credible testimony in judicial proceedings.nbsp;/liliParticipate in department-sponsored training programs.nbsp;/li/ulbrstrong style=" font-weight: 700; color:inherit; font-style: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"emSpecial Assignmentsnbsp;/em/strongbr style=" color:inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"strong style=" font-weight: 700; color:inherit; font-style: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"Traffic and Accident Reconstruction Unitnbsp;/strongul style="padding-left: 40px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 3pt; color: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"liEnforce traffic codes and investigate traffic accidents.nbsp;/liliIdentify and address traffic trouble areas through surveys and statistical analysis.nbsp;/liliConduct focused traffic enforcement in problem areas identified by citizen reports or crime data.nbsp;/li/ulstrong style=" font-weight: 700; color:inherit; font-style: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"School Resource Officer Unit:nbsp;/strongbr style=" color:inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"ul style="padding-left: 40px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 3pt; color: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"liBuild partnerships and trust with students and school staff.nbsp;/liliEnhance school safety and assist administration with safety practices.nbsp;/liliEducate students, parents, and staff about law enforcement and serve as a positive role model.nbsp;/liliProvide counseling to students and staff as needed.nbsp;/liliOrganize and deliver educational programs and events for schools in the district./li/ul/ph2Minimum Qualifications/h2pstrong style=" font-weight: 700; color:inherit; font-style: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;" id="isPasted"emYou Have: nbsp;/em/strongbr style=" color:inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"ul style="padding-left: 40px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 3pt; color: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"liA valid driver’s license and Police Officer Standards and Testing (POST) certificate.nbsp;/liliThe ability to pass pre-employment and post-offer testing, including a background investigation, drug screen, and psychological exam. nbsp;/liliKnowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, and techniques, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation, and identification techniques.nbsp;/liliSkill in analyzing situations quickly, making sound judgment, and taking decisive action in high-pressure environments. nbsp;nbsp;/liliProficiency operating all police-related equipment, including but not limited to personal computers, communication equipment, cameras, firearms, radios, alcohol detection devices, speed detection devices, and emergency vehicles.nbsp;/liliUnderstanding of criminal law, procedure, and evidence rules, as well as state and local laws and ordinances. nbsp;nbsp;/liliEffective communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to de-escalate tense situations./li/ul/ph2Other Qualifications/h2pstrong style=" font-weight: 700; color:inherit; font-style: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;" id="isPasted"emWhat We Can Offer You:nbsp;/em/strongbr style=" color:inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"ul style=" padding-left: 40px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 3pt; color:inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"liComprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurancenbsp;/liliAmple personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidaysnbsp;/lili401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plannbsp;/liliBasic life insurance and accidental death amp; dismemberment (ADamp;D) coveragenbsp;/liliLong-term disability coveragenbsp;/liliPaid FMLA nbsp;nbsp;/liliCommitment to employee wellness:nbsp;ul style=" padding-left: 40px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 3pt;"liAccess to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)nbsp;/liliResiliency Program: Offers guidance, coaching, and confidential support for mental well-being. Earn 8 hours of PTO for each bi-annual counseling session attended.nbsp;/liliFree access to Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Ice Rink and Ski Areanbsp;/liliParticipation in holistic Employee Wellness Programnbsp;/li/ul/liliFree transit pass and family member discountsnbsp;/liliReimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learningnbsp;/liliSixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations/li/ulbra href="https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/durangoco/classspecs/1416735" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" style=" color: inherit; text-decoration: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"span style=" text-decoration: underline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: inherit; font-style: normal;"span style=" text-decoration: underline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"strong style=" font-weight: 700;"To view the full job description, click here./strong/span/span/aspan style=" font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"strong style=" font-weight: 700;"nbsp;/strong/span/p