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Police Instructor Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

Police Instructor information

See Denver, CO salary details

$9

$24

$44

How much do police instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for police instructor in Denver, CO is $24.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $28.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a police instructor?

Police Instructors are experienced law enforcement professionals who teach and train police recruits and current officers. They design curricula, deliver classroom instruction, and conduct practical exercises on topics such as law, ethics, firearms, defensive tactics, and emergency response. Police Instructors ensure that officers are up-to-date with current laws, procedures, and best practices, helping maintain public safety and professional standards within police departments. They may work at police academies, training centers, or within police departments themselves.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a police instructor?

To thrive as a Police Instructor, you need extensive law enforcement experience, instructional certification (such as from a police academy or POST board), and a deep understanding of policing procedures and legal standards. Familiarity with training technologies, firearms simulators, scenario-based learning systems, and curriculum development tools is typically required. Strong communication, leadership, and adaptability are essential soft skills for effectively engaging trainees and fostering a positive learning environment. These skills ensure that officers receive accurate, practical training that enhances their competency and public safety.

What are some common challenges faced by police instructors when training new recruits?

Police instructors often face the challenge of addressing diverse learning styles and backgrounds among recruits, ensuring everyone masters both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Additionally, balancing classroom instruction with realistic scenario-based training requires careful planning and adaptability. Instructors must also stay updated with changing laws, technologies, and policing methods to provide current and relevant instruction, while fostering a supportive yet disciplined training environment.

What is the difference between Police Instructor vs Police Trainer?

AspectPolice InstructorPolice Trainer
CertificationsPeace officer standards, teaching credentialsSimilar certifications, often includes instructor certifications
Work EnvironmentClassroom, training facilities, on-site at police departmentsTraining sessions, workshops, field exercises
Employer & IndustryPolice departments, law enforcement agenciesLaw enforcement agencies, private security firms
Search & Comparison IntentHigh overlap, both focus on law enforcement training roles

Police Instructors and Police Trainers often share similar roles, focusing on law enforcement training. While both require certifications and work within police departments or related agencies, Police Instructors typically develop and deliver structured courses, whereas Police Trainers may focus more on practical skills and field exercises. The terms are frequently used interchangeably, but Police Instructor emphasizes formal classroom instruction.

What are popular job titles related to Police Instructor jobs in Denver, CO?

For Police Instructor jobs in Denver, CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Police Instructor jobs in Denver, CO look for?

The top searched job categories for Police Instructor jobs in Denver, CO are:

Infographic showing various Police Instructor job openings in Denver, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, and 57% Part Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,831 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Post Certified Police Officer

Greenwood Village, CO • On-site


Greenwood Village

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Good employer


$39.54 - $56.05/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

JOB TITLE: POST Certified Police Officer
DEPARTMENT: Police
SUPERVISOR: Police Sergeant or Police Commander
SALARY RANGE: $39.54 - $56.05 per hour Commensurate with experience.
This position is non-exempt/hourly.
Benefits: Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, Life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, retirement plans with matching, employee assistance programs, education reimbursement, recreation reimbursement program, vacation accrual, sick leave and 11 paid holidays.
SCHEDULE/REMOTE/HYBRID: No remote and/or hybrid schedules available.
RELOCATION: This position is located in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Relocation assistance is not provided.
REQUIREMENTS: Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Colorado driver license and a driving record satisfactory to obtain coverage by the City's insurance carrier. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid P.O.S.T. certificate from the State of Colorado. Possession of, or ability to obtain, CPR and First Aid certificates. The equivalent to an Associate of Arts degree or completion of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours from an accredited community college with major course work in criminal justice, police science, or a related field, is preferred.
Accepting applications until the position is filled.
To apply, click the "APPLY NOW" button.
The City of Greenwood Village welcomes your interest in the POST Certified Police Officer with our Police Department. This includes applicants currently enrolled in a police academy, applicants who are Colorado POST certified police officers with or without any road experience, and officers who are eligible to be Colorado POST certified (out of state applicants please refer to the Colorado POST website for information on whether or not you qualify.
As a municipal organization, Greenwood Village is an emergency provider of services. Some emergency situations, including weather-related emergencies, may necessitate Greenwood Village employees to assist in areas of work that may not be directly related to the employee's specific job function, but which will be within the physical capabilities, training, and skills of the employee.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
The purpose of this position is to perform patrol duties for the City, including investigating complaints and suspicious situations, crime prevention, traffic enforcement, and providing assistance to other officers. Officers assigned to Patrol Services work in partnership with the community to creatively and effectively identify and resolve community concerns.
Essential Functions:
A. Patrol Duties
  • Determines on a daily basis, with the supervisor, activities which will be performed during shift.
  • Patrols defined area within the City which may include K-9 unit.
  • Investigates unusual or suspicious individuals, events, or situations, and calls for assistance or guidance when necessary; detains and interviews suspicious individuals and makes arrests where appropriate.
  • Meets with citizens as necessary, to answer questions, provide information, or to advise on crime prevention issues.
  • Responds to various medical emergencies.

B. Crime Response Activity
  • Responds to calls from citizens for assistance, including alarms, reports of crimes or incidents, etc.
  • Responds to calls from other officers requiring assistance in investigating or dealing with situations.
  • Responds to criminal complaints and in-progress- calls which may require physical exertion in the form of running, jumping, or physically controlling a criminal suspect.
  • Assists with crime scene investigations, including collecting evidence, fingerprints, or related activities.

C. Administrative
  • Writes and submits reports on activities and incidents which have occurred during shift.
  • Reviews updated and new policies for implementation.
  • Provides information in written or oral form for following shift(s) regarding calls received, incidents, etc.
  • Testifies in court as required pertaining to cases involving him/her directly.
  • Assists Police Detectives on case preparation.

D. Traffic Enforcement
  • Enforces municipal and state traffic laws through observation of traffic, including monitoring of speed with radar.
  • Directs traffic at crime or traffic accident scenes, as directed.
  • Makes reports of accidents, including interviewing participants and witnesses, and issues citations as required.

E. Special Assignments as Required
  • Assists with field training functions; coordinates training activities; prepares evaluations on the progress of trainee staff.
  • May serve as firearm instructor, driving instructor, or PPCT instructor; provides information and assistance to trainees; evaluates work to ensure compliance with appropriate techniques.
  • May serve on special units on a temporary basis.

F. Miscellaneous
  • Attends training sessions in accordance with departmental training guidelines which may include physical exertion to prepare the officer for such confrontations that the officer encounter in the performance of his/her duty.
  • Assists other law enforcement agencies as requested.
  • Maintains departmental equipment.
  • Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
  • Primary internal contact is with officers and with others in the department. Primary external contact is with victims, witnesses, suspects, other citizens requiring information or assistance, and other law enforcement and governmental agencies. External contacts may occasionally be characterized as adversarial, threatening or violent.
  • Patrol car, offensive and defensive weapons systems, RADAR/LiDAR, handcuffs, intoxilyzer, radio, standard office equipment to include a computer/laptop.

Position Requirements:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques.
  • 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 preserva-tion of evidence.
  • Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory.
  • First aid principles, practices and techniques.
  • Self-defense tactics.
  • Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
  • Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
  • City and State laws and ordinances.
  • Use and properly care for firearms.
  • Understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places.
  • Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct written reports.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine and take emergency action.
  • Identify potential crime situations or traffic hazards and take preventive action.
  • Learn the operation of standard equipment and facilities required in the performance of assigned tasks.
  • Meet the physical requirements established by the Department.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.
  • Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

Education and Experience Requirement:
  • Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
  • Equivalent to an Associate of Arts degree or completion of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours from an accredited community college with major course work in criminal justice, police science, or a related field, is preferred.

Licenses or Certificates:
  • Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Colorado driver license and a driving record satisfactory to obtain coverage by the City's insurance carrier.
  • Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid P.O.S.T. certificate from the State of Colorado.
  • Possession of, or ability to obtain, CPR and First Aid Certificates.

Click here to view the full POST Certified Police Officer job description
Equipment Utilized:
Patrol car, offensive and defensive weapon systems , RADAR/LiDAR , handcuffs, intoxilyzer, radio, standard office equipment to include a computer/laptop.
Supervisory Requirements:
Receives general direction from Police Sergeant or higher-level staff. Exercises no supervision.
Working Conditions:
Personal contact with suspects, victims and witnesses. Position may involve physical contact with arrestees, deceased persons, injured and mentally ill subjects, infectious disease, chemicals and weapons, in a variety of settings from the officer to the street, to burned or exploded buildings and/or to scenes of criminal activity.
Position may occasionally be exposed to hazardous conditions, life-threatening situations, and may be required to use force, physical or deadly, when apprehending an offender.
The City of Greenwood Village is dedicated to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age over 40, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or gender identity
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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