Cadet Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Erie Police Department has an amazing opportunity for individuals who wish to pursue a career in law enforcement and join a quickly growing department and community as a Police Cadet. We are the best department in the state and among the top ten safest communities in Colorado! To be an Erie police officer is to be an exceptional and courageous person who interacts frequently with the public and with the highest of integrity. Our customer service is above reproach; we are professional, compassionate, progressive, and community-oriented, dedicated to the best practices, federal and state laws, and town ordinances.
We are looking for NON-P.O.S.T. Certified candidates to send to a P.O.S.T accredited Law Enforcement Academy in Colorado. The academy will begin in January 2027 and runs approximately 18-22 weeks. Police Cadets must successfully graduate from the Academy and attain the Colorado P.O.S.T. certification. Upon graduation, the Cadet will transition to the position of Police Officer for the Erie Police Department. As a new officer, the officer will attend a four-week, in-house mini academy followed by a 14-week Field Training and Evaluation program.
The Town of Erie will pay the cost of the academy for each cadet selected, and cadets will be paid an hourly wage while attending the academy!
Police Department Location:

• 1000 Telleen Avenue, Erie, CO 80516

Application Period:

• 07/01/2026 - 07/31/2026 at 12:00pm (Noon) MST

Reminders:

• All complete Police Cadet applications will be reviewed upon submission.
• Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be contacted by Recruiting with an invitation to schedule a phone interview.
• If you pass the Recruiter phone screen, you can expect an invitation to proceed to our Law Enforcement test. Please wait for this invitation from Recruiting.
• With a passing Law Enforcement test, you can expect an invitation to in-person testing which includes the physical agility test and oral boards on either September 1st or 3rd.
• If you have been through Erie PD's testing within the last 6 months, you are not eligible to retest until the 6-month period has lapsed.
• Please read through the disqualifiers before applying: Erie PD > Careers > Disqualifiers
• Out of state candidates, please reach out to Recruitment with any questions for an out of state process.
• Please check your junk/spam inbox to ensure emails from the Town are missed.
• If you have any questions around the process or have issues applying, please reach out to our Recruiter at Recruitment@erieco.gov.

Starting Pay Range:
Police Cadet (While in academy) $35.10/hour ($73,008/year) Police Officer - Entry Level
(After graduating from the Academy and P.O.S.T. certified) $40.21/hour ($83,628/year)
Below is our 5-step pay scale beyond the Police Cadet and Entry Level pay. Review the generous increases as you progress at Erie PD:
Step 1 $43.42/hour ($90,318/year) Step 2 $46.90/hour ($97,544/year) Step 3 $50.65/hour ($105,347/year) Step 4 $54.50/hour ($113,354/year) Step 5 $58.64/hour ($121,969/year)
Police Cadets must successfully graduate from the Academy and attain the Colorado P.O.S.T. certification. Upon graduation, the Cadet will transition to the position of Police Officer for the Erie Police Department. As a new officer, the officer will attend a four-week, in-house mini academy followed by a 14-week Field Training and Evaluation program.
Duties and Responsibilities (Once P.O.S.T. Certified)
Patrol Role

• Respond to priority calls regarding public disturbances, criminal, civil, or emergency situations. May provide emergency medical assistance, control traffic, and otherwise ensure attention is given to public safety.
• Detect and prevent criminal activities by surveillance of assigned business and residential areas. Notes possible criminal occurrences and takes steps to prevent criminal actions. Promotes crime prevention by initiating contact with businesses and residents, including explaining applicable laws, soliciting cooperation in crime reporting, and otherwise creating good rapport with citizens.
• Investigate crime scenes or accidents and assist other officers. Protect evidence, takes testimony from witnesses, and assists detectives in specialized investigations.
• Enforce traffic laws, vehicle codes, and promote traffic safety. Notes illegal or unsafe driving practices and advises or makes arrests as appropriate. Directs traffic, reports unsafe road conditions, and otherwise promotes vehicular and pedestrian safety.
• Prepares a variety of daily reports and logs.
• Provides a variety of related police services, including transport of prisoners, assistance to motorists, and mediation of family disturbances.
• May conduct or assist with in-depth investigations involving felonies or other serious offenses and work closely with District Attorneys regarding cases.

Other

• Conduct a variety of community-oriented policing activities to include participating in Erie's Community Police Academy, business and community participation, working with community groups, conducting welfare checks, etc.
• Prepare and provide testimony in court and works with prosecution attorneys.
• Provide code enforcement and animal control activities as needed. Issue appropriate citations and take immediate actions to mitigate problems and disputes.
• At advanced levels, may be assigned as a Field Training Officer.

Special Assignments Include:

• School Resource Officer (SRO)
• K-9 Officer
• Traffic
• Detective

Collateral Duties Include:

• Field Training Officer (FTO)
• Drone Officer
• Bike Patrol
• SWAT
• Honor Guard
• LGBTQ+ Liaison
• Peer Support

As you prepare for the next steps, here are some links to resources from the Erie PD page to help you get to know us better and prepare for the interview and testing process:

• Learn about our recruiting process
• Learn more about our department through our Strategic Plan and Annual Report
• Frequently Asked Questions for Erie PD
• Town of Erie Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates for the Police Cadet position must be 21 years of age by P.O.S.T. certification and the attainment of the Basic Peace Officer Certification through Colorado P.O.S.T.
• Must have a valid Colorado Driver's License
• Must be a High School graduate or have the G.E.D. equivalent

Important Information Regarding the Examination Process - Please Read
Candidates who are deemed qualified and eligible will be required to participate in and passthe following steps:

• Recruiter Phone Screen
• Law Enforcement Exam - Please do not initiate the test until you are notified you are proceeding in our recruitment process. We will provide you with information and promo code to start your testing after passing the Recruiter phone screen.
• Physical Agility Testing - September 1st and 3rd 2026
  • To successfully complete the physical agility test, the participant must:
    • Run an obstacle course which begins by sitting in the driver's seat of a car, exiting the car and running 175 feet to an 8-foot ladder and ascend/descend five steps or rungs, then run 50 feet to and crawl for 12 feet and return, running 50 feet to the sitting position in the driver's seat of the car within 101 seconds.
    • Within two minutes of completing the obstacle course, the participant will pull a weighted object (150 pounds) for 25 feet from a standing position.
    • Immediately after the weight pull, the participant will run a distance of ¼ mile within 162 seconds.
• Oral Board Interview - September 1st and 3rd 2026
• Conditional Job Offer
• Personal History Statement (PHS) and Release of Information Agreement
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph
• Interview with the Chief of Police
• Medical Exam
• Psychological Exam
• Final Decision - Final Job Offer

Environmental Factors:
Work is performed outside and in a patrol car, as well as, in a standard office environment. Exposure to extreme temperatures and frequent time spent in outdoor environments varies on assignment. Frequent to constant use of a personal computer. Work may involve competing demands, performing multiple tasks, and working to deadlines. Employees will be required to walk on uneven surfaces, wet areas, and outdoor terrain multiple times per day. Frequent exposure to loud noises such as firearms, sirens, flash bangs, explosives, ear radio communications, and varying volumes of crowd noise. Frequent exposure to electrical wiring, batteries, vehicles, tasers, and electrical equipment in residential and commercial areas. Exposed to daily vibration from all vehicles. Will be frequently exposed to fumes from gasoline, exhaust, decomposing bodies, narcotics, lead, glass particles, acids/bases, fire, smoke, gunpowder, carbon monoxide, natural gas, and propane. There is a possibility of occasional exposure to other hazardous and flammable chemicals, such as tear gas. Occasionally required to enter confined spaces for 1 to 10 minutes, depending on circumstances. Daily work in traffic is necessary. Will encounter blood-borne pathogens, vehicle collisions, violent subjects, and other factors related to unpredictable situations.
Physical Factors:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will lifts items weighing between 2 and 75 pounds daily and lift items weighing over 20 pounds several times a year, with some of this lifting being done above the head; reach for objects above below shoulders and knees; will work daily at heights of and climb through stairs, ladders, balconies, walls, roofs, bleachers, attics, and rafters; will push and pull objects between 1 and 300 pounds multiples times per day; frequent time spent walking but will vary by day; remain standing infrequently per day; will be required to run in emergencies and pursuits; and remain sitting for extended periods of time sitting in varying locations; will spend 3 to 8 hours per day on repetitive motion tasks. Employee will be required to frequently bend over, kneel, and stoop at various degrees for up to 30 minutes. The ability to grasp pens, pencils, firearms, people, all issued police equipment, and weights between 1 ounce and several hundred pounds is necessary. Ability to distinguish between colors is necessary, 20/20 vision, or correctable to, necessary. The ability to operate a motor vehicle in Colorado for frequent travel while on patrol is necessary.
Accommodations:
If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact Risk Management and Recruitment at RiskManagement@erieco.gov and Recruitment@erieco.gov.
Town of Erie Benefits:
The Town of Erie offers a comprehensive benefit package and pays a major portion of the employee premium to make these benefits more affordable for you. Coverage of these benefits begin the 1st of the month following date of hire for benefited employees regularly working an average of 30 hours per week. Each year you will have the option of changing your elections through open enrollment.
Designated full time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• Robust Medical, Dental and Vision plans including spouse, domestic partner and family coverage options
• Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Plans
• Voluntary Life/AD&D
• Employer paid Basic Life/AD&D
• Employer paid Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Employer paid Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement defined benefit plan (FPPA) with employee and employer contributions for Police Certified employees specifically
• 457 Retirement Plan
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) reimbursement up to $750 per year for numerous health/wellness purchases
• Robust extended sick leave and family sick leave program
• Up to 48 hours of Colorado Sick Leave preloaded on the 1st of every year (pro-rated if hired after the 1st of the year)
• 3 ½ Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year (increases with years of service)
• 40 hours of pre-loaded Paid Time Off (PTO) to each new employee upon hire
• Fifteen (15) Paid Holidays
• Twenty-Four (24) Hours of Paid Volunteer Leave
• Up to 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave for bonding with a new child.(Employee must have been employed by the Town for at least 12 consecutive months on the day the leave will commence)
• Option to "sell back" PTO after two (2) years of continuous employment
• Education reimbursement up to $3,000 per year
• Individual free membership to the Erie Community Center and steep discounts on couple or family memberships.
• Employer sponsored wellness program, including employee-based fitness classes
• Childcare benefits which includes 10% discount to any KinderCare location in Colorado
• Half-off charging at town-owned EV charging stations
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Discount Program through Benefits Hub
• Eligible for discount Dell Computer program
• Onsite/virtual trainings for growth and development opportunities

We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-qualified employer!
EEOC Statement:
The Town is dedic