Police Officer - Detective at City of Canon City – Canon City, Colorado

***$10,000 Hiring Bonus***: $2,500 at commencement of employment, $2,500 after successful completion of Field Training Program and $5,000 after one year of service post Field Training.

The Canon City Police Department is recruiting for a Senior Narcotics Detective to join the other members of our dynamic Investigation Unit. This position will be the senior investigator for narcotics enforcement activities.

This position is classified as a forty-hour week position, or 2080 hours per year. In most situations, any hours worked in excess of forty-hours in a week will be classified as overtime.

The hiring range for this position is $32.50 - $39.82 hourly, based on experience.

The full wage range for this position, after employment, is $32.50- $47.13 hourly

In addition to the other benefits identified in the benefits information link, Sworn Officers also receive 30 days of sabbatical leave every three years, once they become eligible.

Description

Department: Police HQ

Reports to: Sergeant - Detectives

Benefit Summary

Hourly Wage Rate: $32.50 - $39.82

FLSA Status: Full-Time Non-Exempt

Position closes: Midnight, Sunday, May 10, 2026

Position Summary: Under general supervision, investigates crimes and assists officers of the Cañon City Police Department to assist and protect the lives and property of Cañon City residents, business owners, and visitors. Incumbents in this position will be assigned to one of two focus areas: General Crimes or Narcotics, although they may be assigned to cases in either focus as the case load may dictate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities*: The essential duties and responsibilities listed below are central to the job or are the reason the position exists, and the employee must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. This list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Common Duties

• Perform a variety of investigative duties to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases.
• Investigate known or suspected criminals and facts of particular cases to detect clues to crimes or planned criminal activity.
• Conduct surveillance.
• Record and reports information to commanding officer.
• Write requests for subpoenas, warrants, and court orders and presents to courts for judgment.
• Conduct searches, as authorized, of buildings, vehicles, documents, and computers following established procedures.
• Arrest or assist in arrest of criminals or suspects.
• Prepare cases for and testifies in the courts.
• Prepare and execute search warrants, arrest warrants, and court orders; collaborate with prosecutors to ensure legal sufficiency.
• Collect, preserve, and document evidence following strict chain of custody standards.
• Prepare detailed investigative reports, affidavits, and case files suitable for prosecution and accreditation review.
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of crime prevention efforts and contributes to departmental strategies for reducing drug related harm.

General Crimes

• Become familiar with habitual criminals and their habits, associates, characteristics, and aliases.
• Review incident reports, develop and follow leads, and interview victims, witnesses, and suspects.
• Examine crime scenes to obtain clues and gather evidence.
• Maintain knowledge of computer related and white-collar crimes.
• Conduct general crimes-related investigations, including but not limited to:

1. Coordinating follow-up with patrol officers and other investigators
2. Cooperating with outside agencies
3. Conducting covert surveillance
4. Undercover operations
5. Operational deconfliction.

Narcotics

• Conduct proactive and reactive investigations involving controlled substances, including surveillance, undercover operations, search warrant execution, and suspect interviews.
• Lead narcotic investigative and operational unit activities.
• Provide guidance and direction to non-narcotic detectives and other police department personnel.
• Utilize analytical models and intelligence driven policing strategies to identify drug networks, emerging trends, and high-risk locations.
• Develop and manage confidential informants in accordance with departmental policy, legal requirements, and risk mitigation protocols.
• Conduct financial investigations related to narcotics trafficking, including asset tracing, forfeiture documentation, and ledger analysis.
• Work closely with regional task forces, federal agencies (DEA, FBI, HSI), and neighboring jurisdictions to share intelligence and coordinate operations.
• Participate in joint operations, deconfliction processes, and multi- agency briefings.
• The narcotic detective(s) will provide guidance and oversight to all other unit members’ in completing administrative and operational reports.
• Testify in court as a fact witness or expert witness on narcotics investigations and drug related trends.
• Support community-based drug prevention initiatives and provide subject matter expertise to schools, civic groups, and partner organizations.
• Provides excellent customer service to external and internal customers including but not limited to effectively listening and communicating, providing accurate information, offering solutions, assisting in resolution, and ensuring timely follow up as needed.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities*: The following duties, although not essential to the position, are important components to the smooth and efficient operation of the Division, Department, and City.

• Assist with general crime or narcotics investigations, computer forensics investigations, and other complex investigations as needed.
• Manages confidential information in coordination with the Detective Sergeant.
• Attends or completes training, seminars, and meetings, as required.

* This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The essential and non-essential duties listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. The below list is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all knowledge, skills and abilities that are required.

• Knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to law enforcement issues in Cañon City.
• Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices, and methods of criminal justice.
• Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices, and methods of performing criminal investigations, including developing and following leads, conducting surveillance, and interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing including the preparation of reports, warrants, and other legal paperwork.
• Ability to testify in court.
• Ability to examine crime scenes to obtain clues and gather evidence.
• Ability to conduct authorized searches of building, vehicles, documents, computers, etc.
• Ability to oversee and respond to emergencies, crime and accident scenes, acts of terror, natural disasters, and preplanned events that require a large police response.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists including investigating and resolving complaints.
• Familiar with basic computer functions. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software. Knowledge of basic office equipment including but not limited to copiers, fax machines, multi-line phone systems, and adding machines.
• Knowledge of computer related and white-collar crimes.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to build effective relationships as needed with employees, government officials, contractors, vendors, and the public.
• Advanced knowledge of controlled substances, trafficking methods, and investigative techniques.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, identify patterns, and evaluate investigative outcomes.
• Proficiency in surveillance operations, interview and interrogation, and digital evidence collection.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and integrity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, comprehensive reports.
• Strong ability to work and lead teams in a collaborative and organized manner.
• Ability to work irregular hours, respond to emergent situations, and operate effectively in high stress environments.

Minimum Qualification(s):

Experience

• · 36 months with CCPD including 24 months at the rank of Officer II or higher, or 24 months with CCPD including 12 months at the rank of Officer II or higher and 36 months with another Law Enforcement Agency as a sworn officer in an investigation’s capacity, or 48 months with another Law Enforcement Agency, with at least 12 months in an investigation’s capacity.
• Demonstrated record of criminal investigations and arrest and an above average case clearance rating

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent

Licenses/Certifications

• Certified Colorado Police Officer.
• Valid unrestricted Colorado Driver’s License

Any acceptable combination of education, training and experience that provides the listed knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted.

Preferred Qualification(s):

Experience

• Completion of specialized narcotics training (e.g., undercover operations, surveillance, drug identification).
• Demonstrated investigative experience; prior narcotics or vice experience preferred.
• Leadership training and qualities.
• 48 months as a Police Officer II or higher, or 36 months as a Police Officer II with CCPD and 36 months as a detective with another LEA as a sworn officer in an investigation’s capacity, or 60 months with another Law Enforcement Agency, with at least 12 months in an investigation’s capacity.

Education

• Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science, or related field.

Licenses/Certifications

• Training or certifications in basic investigations, interview and interrogation, criminal interdiction, or related advanced training.

Physical Activities:

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee will travel within the City of Canon City and Fremont County

• Work is performed both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Physical demands of job require some lifting; pulling; carrying and pushing of objects –approximately 175 pounds.
• Occasionally required to apprehend and subdue persons resisting arrest.
• Frequent bending, simple grasping, finger/manual dexterity, standing, walking, twisting upper body, stooping, and hearing.
• Occasional climbing on stairs.
• Communicates verbally with City staff, outside agencies and the public in one-on-one settings, group settings and over the telephone.
• Occasionally exposed to hazardous and potentially lethal situations and individuals, including exposure to firearms, other weapons, explosives, toxins, traffic, and natural disasters.

Additional Information

• This position will typically work Monday – Friday but will flex to working weekends and evenings based on seasonal, organizational or event needs.
• This position will be required to attend occasional City Council meetings and/or other meetings and events after normal work hours.
• Travel within the City of Canon City and Fremont County will be required.
• Frequent extension of workday to meet deadlines..

FLSA Status: [ ] Exempt—Salaried [ X ] Non-Exempt—Hourly

Classified as: [ X ] Essential [ ] Non-Essential

CDL Licensed Position: [ ] Yes [X ] No

Safety Sensitive Position: [ X ] Yes [ ] No

Date of Original: 10/18/2006; prepared by PSPC

Date Revised: 01/01/2012 by JD, 06/22/2023 by TMW & MDB, 05/23/2024 by TRB & MDB, 04/22/2026 JWS, TRB, & MDB