Police Officer Recruit (January 2027 Academy)

GENERAL PURPOSE: As a new recruit with the Wheat Ridge Police Department, you will receive full sponsorship to attend one of the top police academies in Colorado. This comprehensive training program prepares you for a successful career in law enforcement by covering a broad range of essential topics and practical skills. Training includes instruction in criminal law and procedures, communication and de-escalation techniques, patrol operations, crime scene investigation, community policing, and problem-solving strategies. You will also receive hands-on training in traffic investigations, use of force protocols, firearms handling, arrest control techniques, and emergency vehicle operations.

Wheat Ridge was founded during the 1859 Gold Rush as a rest stop for miners and later named for its golden wheat fields. As unsuccessful miners turned to farming, the area thrived with orchards, vegetable fields, and later, greenhouses, earning the title “Carnation City.” Incorporated in 1969, Wheat Ridge now offers a central location with easy access to Denver and the Rocky Mountains. It operates as a home-rule city with a council-manager government, where the elected council sets policy, and the manager oversees daily operations and budgeting.
 

CORE VALUES: The City of Wheat Ridge is committed to excellence and ACTION!:

• Accountability: Employees take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and recommendations and are accountable to each other and the community
• Change: Adapts to changing organizational needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Teamwork: Employees value teamwork as a collaborative effort, with each person contributing unique skills, knowledge, and training to achieve common goals.
• Integrity: Employees uphold the highest ethical standards, recognize the importance of public and customer trust and adhere to the values of the organization.
• Opportunity: Employees are empowered to grow professionally, develop best practices, and seek challenges to advance the City.
• NOW!: Employees are proactive, timely, and efficient in responding to the needs of the organization and the community – NOW!

RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential responsibility of this position is to attend and successfully complete the Combined Regional Academy.  Before the academy begins, the recruit may perform non-sworn police-related duties, participate in training activities, support departmental operations, and maintain compliance with department policies and standards.

HIRING PROCESS: 

1. Application Review
2. Prescreen Questionnaire 
3. Frontline NTN Law Enforcement Test
4. Oral Board Interview
5. Comprehensive Background Investigation (Including criminal, financial, and social media review)
6. Polygraph Examination
7. Psychological Evaluation 
8. Chief's Interview
9. Medical Examination & Drug Screening 

Expected duration of process: Approximately 3 to 5 months.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Be at least 21 years of age at before the graduation date of the academy.
2. Have no Felony Convictions
3. Have a valid driver's license 
4. Citizenship and residency: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 
5. Must possess a High School Diploma or GED with three consecutive years of demonstrated full-time work experience.

-State of Colorado P.O.S.T. Requirements - Any person having any convictions for first and/or second-degree misdemeanors during the past five years cannot be P.O.S.T. certified. Any person who has any conviction for domestic violence cannot be P.O.S.T. certified.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

Knowledge - Ability to develop working knowledge of Federal, State and local statutes and ordinances; develop working knowledge of proper law enforcement principles, procedures and practices; develop working knowledge of first aid and medical procedures and practices.

Skills - Ability to develop skill in the use of law enforcement vehicles, firearms, related law enforcement equipment, and principles and practices of self-defense.

Abilities - Remain calm in stressful situations; apply logical thinking in determining a proper course of action in a minimum amount of time; make sound decisions and take appropriate action; follow written and verbal instructions; perform a high level of sustained physical activity; communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships; interact and deal effectively with people from varying social and cultural backgrounds; exercise compassion and empathy for persons; share information and work cooperatively with others; follow orders; accept advice and constructive criticism in a positive manner; assert self when necessary; maintain composure and perform effectively in stressful situations; exercise restraint and use the minimum amount of force necessary to handle a given situation; adapt to changes in working; apply appropriate safety precautions in hazardous and potentially dangerous situations.

HOURS OF WORK, LOCATION, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Full time, rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. This position will be based at City Hall located at 7500 W. 29^th Ave, Wheat Ridge, Co 80033. This role is a public-facing role with frequent interactions with the community.

The City of Wheat Ridge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, marital status or any other applicable characteristics protected by law, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification. The City of Wheat Ridge will consider reasonable accommodations for employment to qualified applicants upon request to the Human Resources Office.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.

Salary : $35 - $54