Entry Level Police Officer Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO

Salary: $39.58 Hourly
Location : Police Department, 911 10th Street, Golden, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-00073
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 5:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Non-Exempt
The Golden Police Department is seeking qualified entry level officers dedicated to excellent service to our community. If you are committed to technical excellence, high quality service delivery, leadership development and looking for a fun place to work; this may be the opportunity for you.
The Golden Police Department is currently operating under a 32-hour workweek pilot program. Learn more about the details of this exciting pilot program at The Best for Golden
We offer a competitive salary coupled with an excellent benefits package.
The annual salary for entry level Recruits is $82,326
You must be at least 21 years of age, have documented 60 semester/90 quarter college credits from an accredited college or university, and possess a valid driver's license with clean driving record. Colorado POST certification or prior law enforcement experience are not required but will be given preference during this hiring process.
Qualified applicants must submit a completed online application including supplemental questions, professional cover letter and resume. You will need this to answer supplemental questions in the application.
JOB DESCRIPTION
To perform law enforcement, investigations, and crime prevention work by enforcing state and local laws and regulations; to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department. Shift work, possible voluntary and/or mandatory overtime, holidays and weekend work required.
JOB SUMMARY
Patrol a designated area of the city in a car, bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot as assigned to preserve law and order; discover and prevent the commission of crimes; enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
Engage in problem solving activities.
Answer calls and complaints involving traffic collisions, robberies, assaults, fires, and related misdemeanors and felonies; responds to alarms; investigate complaints; apprehend suspects; search, inspect, transport, and take custody of prisoners.
Respond to general public service calls including robbery and theft complaints, domestic/civil disturbances, civil complaints, property control, and related incidents; may participate in surveillance of area.
Secure crime scenes; administer first aid; conduct preliminary and/or follow-up investigations by questioning witnesses and gathering evidence; make arrests of criminal suspects; prepare detailed reports.
Maintain surveillance over suspected criminals; identify areas of potential crimes or unsafe conditions; report conditions and take corrective action.
Appear in court to present evidence; testify on behalf of the City of Golden or the state; serve warrants and subpoenas.
Prepare a variety of reports summarizing and describing crime scenes, interrogations and investigations activities, and findings.
Conduct investigations of serious injury and fatality traffic accidents; conduct traffic accident analyses and general traffic surveys.
Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; issue warnings and citations.
Familiarizes self with district and persons living in area.
Disperses unruly crowds at public gatherings.
Inspects public establishments requiring licenses to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
Other duties may be assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Designated officers may act as sergeants in their absence.
QUALIFICATIONS
High school diploma or G.E.D. and 60 semester or 90 quarter hours from an accredited college or university required. Must be 21 years of age by date of hire. Strong interpersonal skills with ability to deal with diverse population in a variety of situations. Strong oral and written communication skills. Colorado POST certification from an academy required by time of appointment to position of police officer. Non-POST certified individuals may be hired in a recruit status pending POST certification.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Peace Officer Certification (POST) preferred.
• Possession of or ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification.
• Must have a valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Ability to obtain Colorado Crime Information Center certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, accident and criminal investigation, and identification techniques. Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and grammatically correct written reports; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Ability to speak effectively before groups of citizens or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to interpret criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the seizure and preservation of evidence. Interpret, apply, and enforce federal, state, and city laws, codes, and regulations. Analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine and take emergency action. Ability to demonstrate effective problem solving skills.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of or ability to learn offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory; self defense and arrest control tactics; interviewing and interrogation techniques.
Knowledge of general social problems and community and social and welfare agencies. Ability to learn to use and properly care for firearms.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships/partnerships with those contacted in the course of work. Learn to identify potential crime situations, traffic hazards or public safety concerns and take preventive action. Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
Ability to use and learn various forms of technology to include computers, software and electronic media such as PowerDMS, Niche Records Management System and Blue Team.
MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED
Motor vehicle, electronic speed measurement devices, intoxilyzer and portable breath test devices, cameras of various types, finger printing equipment and materials, and field testing chemicals for drugs. Lethal and less than lethal weapons to include: pistol, shotgun, rifle, batons conductive energy devices, and oleoresin capsicum spray. Basic office equipment, computers, law enforcement radio equipment, etc
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to run; stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, low light vision peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus, ability to drive at night. Sit and drive a motor vehicle for extended periods of time.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high precarious places; extreme cold or icy conditions; extreme heat; and explosives. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
City of Golden is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Regular Full-Time (RFT) employees of the City of Golden currently receive numerous benefits as part of their total compensation package. These benefits are in addition to mandated benefits such as: workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and social security. Some benefits are provided at no cost to the employee while others require employee cost sharing or contributions. Employees are eligible to enroll in most benefits upon hire.
The City of Golden's benefit package can comprise an average of 35% of total compensation.
Employer Paid Benefits Include:
Term Life Insurance
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program
Cost Sharing Benefits Include:
Medical Coverage
Dental Coverage
401(a) Retirement Plan
Full-time employees can also take advantage of:
Wellness Benefits
Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Account
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Vision Coverage
Tuition Program
Supplemental Life Insurance
Full-Time employees receive the following leave options:
128 Hours of Annual Leave (accrued each pay period)
96 Hours of Sick Leave (accrued each pay period)
12 Paid Company Holidays
For more detailed information please refer to the section of our website.
01
Will you be 21 years of age or older by January 4, 2027?

• Yes
• No

02
Which best describes your level of education?

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
• 60 semester or 90 quarter hours from an accredited institution - verifiable by transcript
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

03
Which best describes your level of certification?

• Current Colorado POST Certification
• Expired Colorado POST Certification
• Out-of-state POST Certification
• Currently in a Police Academy, expected graduation by January 4, 2027
• Currently in a Police Academy, not graduating by January 4, 2027
• Legally able to obtain POST Certification but have not attended a Police Academy
• Unable to obtain POST Certification

04
Do you have prior law enforcement experience?

• Yes
• No

05
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

06
Please review the document regarding Misdemeanors Which Will Affect Certification located at the top of the job description. Have you been convicted of any of the misdemeanors on this list on or after July 1, 2001? (You will be required to sign this document verifying your answer at future testing).

• Yes
• No

07
Have you had your driver's license suspended or revoked in the last two years?

• Yes
• No

08
Have you been convicted of a DUI, DUID, DWAI, or any hit and run accident within the past two years?

• Yes
• No

09
The Golden Police Department is a 24-hr operation. Police Officers are required to work shift schedules (late afternoon, graveyards and days). They are also required to work holidays and weekends. This may mean time away from family and/or personal obligations that occur during your scheduled working hours.If you have worked such 24-hr shift schedules please explain.
10
If not, what are your thoughts on this type of schedule?
11
Shifts are bid annually based on seniority. An officer may not bid the same shift more than two times in a row in order to allow opportunities for all. As always, the department reserves the right to alter any schedule, including vacations, to accommodate business and staffing needs.Do you have any questions or concerns about how shifts and vacations are scheduled?
12
As a Police Officer, you may be assigned on-call duty and mandatory overtime. You will also be required to appear in court, attend required training time and extend your assigned shift if required. Do you have any questions or concerns regarding this?
13
Initial written testing dates for qualified applicants will be scheduled during the following time blocks: September 16, 2026 - Morning Testing Session starting at 7:30am MTSeptember 17, 2026 - Afternoon Testing Session starting at 12:00pm MTDates and times for testing will be self-scheduled by applicants on a first come/first served basis after applicants receive e-mail notification. All qualified applicants are notified via e-mail at the same time.If you are unable to make a testing date, you will not be allowed to reschedule.Are you available during this date range for testing?

• Yes
• No

14
Oral board interviews will take place September 30, 2026 - October 2, 2026. Applicants selected for oral board interviews must be available during this time frame. Dates and times for oral boards will be self-scheduled by applicants on a first come/first served basis after applicants receive e-mail notification. All qualified