Lateral Police Officer at City of Durango – Durango, Colorado

The 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.

Starting salary is dependent on experience. We offer a lateral entry program 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:

• $3,000 bonus for officers with 1-3 years of experience
• $6,000 for officers with 3 or more years of experience

Join the Durango Police Department to make a meaningful difference in our community while advancing your career in law enforcement!

About the Department:

Our mission is to improve community safety and quality of life by reducing crime and its perception. 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.

City of Durango’s Trail to Excellence
The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible. The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan.

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You'll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

We're looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.
What You’ll Do in This Role:

• Patrol 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.
• Respond to emergencies, including personal and property crimes such as assaults, traffic accidents, burglaries, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, and related incidents.
• Collect and process evidence such as fingerprints, fibers, and blood; photograph and preserve evidence to support crime investigations.
• Enforce traffic laws; monitor speeds with radar; issue warnings and citations.
• Interview suspects, victims, and witnesses in the field.
• Document activities through detailed reports and proper preservation of evidence.
• Arrest and process prisoners, conduct intoxilyzer tests, and manage prisoner bookings and transfers.
• Serve warrants, conduct police raids, and perform bar checks.
• Provide accurate and credible testimony in judicial proceedings.
• Participate in department-sponsored training programs.

Special Assignments
Traffic and Accident Reconstruction Unit

• Enforce traffic codes and investigate traffic accidents.
• Identify and address traffic trouble areas through surveys and statistical analysis.
• Conduct focused traffic enforcement in problem areas identified by citizen reports or crime data.

School Resource Officer Unit:

• Build partnerships and trust with students and school staff.
• Enhance school safety and assist administration with safety practices.
• Educate students, parents, and staff about law enforcement and serve as a positive role model.
• Provide counseling to students and staff as needed.
• Organize and deliver educational programs and events for schools in the district.

You Have:

• A valid driver’s license and Police Officer Standards and Testing (POST) certificate.
• The ability to pass pre-employment and post-offer testing, including a background investigation, drug screen, and psychological exam.
• Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, and techniques, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation, and identification techniques.
• Skill in analyzing situations quickly, making sound judgment, and taking decisive action in high-pressure environments.
• Proficiency 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.
• Understanding of criminal law, procedure, and evidence rules, as well as state and local laws and ordinances.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to de-escalate tense situations.

What We Can Offer You:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays
• 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan
• Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
• Long-term disability coverage
• Paid FMLA
• Commitment to employee wellness:
  • Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Resiliency Program: Offers guidance, coaching, and confidential support for mental well-being. Earn 8 hours of PTO for each bi-annual counseling session attended.
  • Free access to Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Ice Rink and Ski Area
  • Participation in holistic Employee Wellness Program
• Free transit pass and family member discounts
• Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning
• Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations

To view the full job description, click here.