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Police Academy Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Denver Police Officer

Aurora, CO ยท On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

No felony or domestic violence convictions SALARY Effective July 1, 2026 Denver Police Academy Police Officer Recruit -- $75,257 Upon Academy Graduation and Career Progression Police Officer 4th ...

Denver Police Officer

Aurora, CO ยท On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

No felony or domestic violence convictions SALARY Effective July 1, 2026 Denver Police Academy Police Officer Recruit -- $75,257 Upon Academy Graduation and Career Progression Police Officer 4th ...

DENVER POLICE OFFICER

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

No felony or domestic violence convictions SALARY Effective July 1, 2026 Denver Police Academy Police Officer Recruit -- $75,257 Upon Academy Graduation and Career Progression Police Officer 4th ...

DENVER POLICE OFFICER

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

No felony or domestic violence convictions SALARY Effective July 1, 2026 Denver Police Academy Police Officer Recruit -- $75,257 Upon Academy Graduation and Career Progression Police Officer 4th ...

Police Cadet

Louisville, CO ยท On-site

$74K - $78K/yr

The academy is a full time, 5-6 days per week commitment during the 4-6-month training program. Cadets should not plan to take any time off during the academy. As a Louisville Police Cadet, your ...

Police Recruit

Brighton, CO ยท On-site

$31.93/hr

The recruit attends the academy full time and at the conclusion of the academy must successful pass ... Police Recruits who successfully complete the approved academy and obtain a State of Colorado Basic ...

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Police Academy information

See Colorado salary details

$34.2K

$65.3K

$108.8K

How much do police academy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for police academy in Colorado is $65,350.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $78,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a police academy?

A police academy is a training school where aspiring law enforcement officers receive the education and physical preparation needed to become police officers. Recruits learn about criminal law, procedures, ethics, firearms use, emergency response, and community policing. The academy combines classroom instruction with hands-on training to ensure candidates are ready for the demands of police work. Upon successful completion, graduates are typically eligible to join a police force or law enforcement agency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a police academy cadet, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Police Academy cadet, you need a high school diploma or GED, physical fitness, and a basic understanding of law enforcement principles. Training involves learning to use firearms, radio communication systems, and law enforcement databases, often supplemented by certifications in CPR and first aid. Strong ethical judgment, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for building trust and responding to high-pressure situations. These competencies ensure cadets are prepared to handle the demands of policing, maintain public safety, and uphold community standards.

What are some common challenges faced by trainees during police academy, and how can they prepare for them?

Police Academy trainees often face challenges such as adapting to rigorous physical training, mastering a wide range of academic subjects, and learning to work effectively as part of a disciplined team. Balancing classroom learning with hands-on exercises and maintaining high ethical standards can also be demanding. To prepare, applicants should focus on improving their physical fitness, brushing up on relevant laws and procedures, and developing strong communication and teamwork skills. Approaching the Academy with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn will help trainees succeed and build a solid foundation for their law enforcement careers.

What is the difference between Police Academy vs Police Officer Training Program?

AspectPolice Academy
PurposeTo train recruits in law enforcement skills and knowledge before becoming officers
DurationTypically several weeks to months
CredentialsCertification or diploma upon completion
Work EnvironmentClassroom, training grounds, simulated scenarios

The Police Academy is a comprehensive training program that prepares individuals to become police officers. It covers law enforcement procedures, physical training, and legal knowledge. The Police Officer Training Program refers to this initial training process that equips recruits with the skills needed to serve as officers. Both terms are often used interchangeably, but the Police Academy specifically denotes the training institution and curriculum.

Do you get paid while in a police academy?

Police academy trainees typically receive a salary or stipend during their training period, which can vary by department but often includes benefits like health insurance. The pay usually continues until they are sworn in as officers and begin active duty. Some academies also provide uniforms and training materials at no cost to trainees.

What are the most commonly searched types of Police Academy jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Police Academy jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Police Academy jobs in Colorado?

For Police Academy jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Police Academy jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Police Academy job openings:

Infographic showing various Police Academy job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,350 per year, or $31.4 per hour.

Police Officer Academy Cadet

City of Englewood

Englewood, CO โ€ข On-site

$36.17/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

The Police Officer Academy Cadet position is for non-POST certified applicants.**Applicants selected for this position will attend the Law Enforcement Academy full-time; the Summer Academy begins August 2026**

Englewood Police Officers strive to provide a safe, secure environment for the community by minimizing the impact of crime, disaster, disorder, and hazardous conditions through enforcement activities, information dissemination, public education, and quality services. The police officer may work within a variety of job assignments including patrol officer, investigator, traffic officer, or support services officer.

APPLICATION AND INITIAL TESTING REQUIREMENTS

*Both an online City of Englewood Application and a National Testing Network (NTN) Written Exam must be completed prior to being considered for employment with the Englewood Police Department.

After completing the City of Englewood Application, register with NTN and schedule an exam.

To schedule an exam, go toย www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select โ€˜Find Jobsโ€™, at the top of the page, then select โ€œLaw Enforcement Jobsโ€ and scroll down to select the Englewood Police Department. You can then complete the NTN registration process and schedule your NTN exam. Prior to taking the online exam, you must review the qualifications, select a response at the bottom of the page and select continue.

Your NTN exam scores will automatically be forwarded to the Englewood Police Department after you fully complete the exam. Candidates who attain a passing score on the NTN exam, and meet all other agency requirements, will be placed on the agencyโ€™s eligibility list.

If you have completed the NTN test for another agency within the past year, please let a police recruiter know by emailing policerecruiting@englewoodco.gov. You may be eligible to have that test transferred to the Englewood Police Department at a minimal cost.

The applicant is responsible for all fees associated with the NTN Exam and any transferring of previous scores to the Englewood Police Department.

ADDITIONAL TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Additional hiring steps may include a physical agility test, an integrity interview, an oral board interview, a complete background investigation and a Certified Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA). Additional testing will be required if you successfully complete all steps and receive a conditional offer of employment.

If you are placed on the eligibility list, you will be contacted via email with further instructions and testing information. This email may take some time as we schedule testing based on the number of eligible applicants we receive. Please ensure emails from englewoodco.gov can be received by your email service provider, or they may go to your email accounts junk folder.

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ANNUAL SALARY PAY RATES

Salary will begin at the Academy Trainee level during the police academy and all police academy costs are paid by the police department. Upon completion of the academy the trainee will move to Police Officer 5th class rate.ย  You will then move to the First-Class rate within five years of service.

Police Officer 2026 annual salary and step increases:

Police Academy Cadetย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  $36.1703

Probationary Police Officer 5th classย  ย  ย  ย $39.3033

Police Officer 4th classย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย $41.8723

Police Officer 3rd classย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย $45.9800

Police Officer 2nd classย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  $50.5966

Police Officer 1st classย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย  ย $55.6319

POSITION SUMMARY

Englewood Police Officers strive to provide a safe, secure environment for the community by minimizing the impact of crime, disaster, disorder, and hazardous conditions through enforcement activities, information dissemination, public education, and quality services. The police officer may work within a variety of job assignments including patrol officer, investigator, traffic officer, or support services officer.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The listed examples of work are not intended to be all-inclusive.ย  They may be modified with additions, deletions, or changes as necessary.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Patrols assigned areas within the city to deter illegal activities and protect and preserve the safety and security of individuals, buildings and neighborhoods.
  • Maintains a high level of customer service and responds rapidly to changing conditions.
  • Responds to calls for service. Investigates citizen complaints including crime in progress, crimes discovered after the fact, disturbances, domestic disputes, accidents and requests for information or assistance.
  • Performs preliminary investigations and interviews at crime scenes, traffic accidents, domestic disputes, and disturbances.
  • Assesses customer and community needs, wants and perceptions.
  • Collects and preserves physical evidence, recovered property, and diagrams. Photographs scenes and obtains other information from suspects and witnesses necessary to document specific crimes and incidents.
  • Builds and uses a variety of conflict management skills for different situations and contexts.
  • Performs traffic enforcement activities to observe and apprehend violators of ordinances and statutes.
  • Prepares citations and summons necessary to charge individuals with violations of ordinances, statutes, and laws including petty, misdemeanor, and felonious offenses.
  • Makes arrests and takes suspects into custody which includes searching, booking, and transporting of individuals to holding.
  • Provides sworn testimony, in both criminal and civil trials and hearings, that are associated with investigation and charging of individuals with non-criminal and criminal offenses.
  • Prepares a variety of routine and non-routine reports and records necessary for the reporting of daily activities, and disclosure of specific criminal and non-criminal incidents.
  • Develops and promotes high standards of personal commitment to goals.
  • Offers assistance, direction and provides information to citizens and visitors to Englewood. Provides motorist assistance, and performs other community service functions.
  • The common channel of advancement for Police Officers is from fifth to first class depending on experience, length of employment, training completed and adequate performance of the job. The basic functions are similar for all classes of Officers.
  • Performs other duties as assigned and required.

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PREPARATION AND TRAININGEducation:
  • High school graduate or equivalent andย 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hoursย from an accredited university or collegeย of college credit.ย A minimum of 3 years as a P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement officer serving in a patrol capacity may be substituted in lieu of the college credit requirement. 3 or more years active-duty military service with an Honorable Discharge may be substituted in lieu of the college credit requirement.
  • A minimum of 3 years as a P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement officer serving in a patrol capacity may be substituted in lieu of the college credit requirement.
  • 3 or more years active-duty military service with an Honorable Discharge may be substituted in lieu of the college credit requirement.
Work Experience:
  • Depending on qualifications and experience.
Certifications and/or Licensures:ย 
  • Colorado P.O.S.T. Certifiable (City of Englewood will sponsor a successful candidate through a P.O.S.T. academy and will pay Police Academy Cadet salary while attending the academy)
Required Driverโ€™s License:
  • Valid Colorado driver's license or valid Colorado driver's license within 30 days of residing in Colorado.ย  Clear or acceptable MVR
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (in addition to above requirements):

Must be at least 21 years of age. Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License and safe driving record for continued employment. New hires must, as a condition of employment, pass the following pre-offer and post-offer/hire processes: in-person or virtual interviews, reference checks, and background checks, which may include local police check, DMV check and sex-offender registry, polygraph or CVSA, pre and post psychological, drug screen, peer sit-along, and fingerprint checks through CBI/FBI. Cannot have been convicted of a felony or disqualifying misdemeanor as per NCIC/CCIC policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Requires the physical ability to protect oneself and others in threatening and stressful situations including the ability to pursue, subdue, and control resisting individuals.
  • Requires the incumbent to undergo a background check including criminal record check, motor vehicle records check, polygraph and psychological examination and medical evaluation.
  • Requires extensive training and proficiency in the use of various police weapons.
  • Ability to learn and enforce ordinances, statutes, laws and court decisions relative to enforcement activities.
  • Must be able to work in an environment of emotional and mental stress due to the emergency situations present during the course of the work.
  • Must be creative, responsive, flexible and able to work in a fast paced and constantly changing environment.
  • Requires extraordinary conflict resolution and strong human relations skills.
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BENEFITS

The City of Englewood offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees including paid time off and holidays. Plans are offered for medical, dental, vision, life and pet insurance needs.

City of Englewood Police Officers are provided a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan through the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA).

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.ย