Police Officer Recruit

The Littleton Police Department has an entry level opportunity for a non-POST certified candidate to join an accomplished and professional organization as a Police Officer Recruit. The Littleton Police Department is a CALEA accredited law enforcement agency and we take pride in our highly trained officers and staff, who consistently uphold the standards required for full accreditation.

The City of Littleton is a vibrant community consistently recognized as one of America's Best Small Cities, and a top destination for families. Discover some of the remarkable things Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org. With its historic and lively downtown, diverse shopping and dining options, and an extensive network of parks and trails, Littleton boasts a prime location just south of Denver and a short drive to the majestic Rocky Mountains and Colorado ski country. The City of Littleton offers excellent benefits and perks to its employees.

The City of Littleton offers outstanding benefits and perks to its employees. As a Littleton Police Officer, you are enrolled in Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and Death and Disability Plan through the financially secure Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado (FPPA). To learn about all of the city's competitive benefits, please refer to the 2026 Benefit Guide.

Successful candidates will start employment and begin Academy training in January 2027. See below for key dates in the hiring process.

Starting salary for Police Officer Recruit: $76,100 per year

Upon successful graduation from academy, Police Officer Recruit will be eligible for promotion to Police Officer V with a salary increase to $86,611 plus all applicable benefits as a sworn officer.

Application Deadline: This posting will close at 11:59 pm on Friday, September 4, 2026.

This position with the City of Littleton does NOT require a POST certification. All other education, training, experience, and minimum qualifications must be met. Non-POST certified candidates will be sponsored by the City of Littleton at a state approved POST program of the City's selection. While attending the POST certification training no paid leave of any kind or seniority will accrue. Candidates will not be eligible for overtime during POST certification academy. Accruals of leave and seniority benefits start upon successful completion of the POST certification. No time off may be taken during the sponsored education and POST certification training. Police Officer Recruit is eligible for medical, vision, dental and life insurance benefits while in POST certification training. A training and education agreement is required.

Upon successful gradation from academy and becoming a commissioned/sworn officer, position will be governed by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) covering wages, most benefits and working conditions. The CBA is negotiated with the city by the board of directors of the FOP Lodge 26/Littleton Police Officers Association. The current CBA is for the duration of 01/01/26-12/31/28. The following are some of the provisions of the CBA:

• 2027 Salaries:

  • Police Officer V ($86,611)

  • Police Officer IV ($95,178)

  • Police Officer III ($104,591)

  • Police Officer II ($114,935)

  • Police Officer I ($126,302)

  • Master Police Officer ($132,617)

  • Detective ($138,932)

  • Corporal, Step C ($138,932)

  • Corporal, Step B ($143,100)

  • Corporal, Step A ($147,393)

  • Sergeant, Step C ($151,815)

  • Sergeant, Step B ($156,369)

  • Sergeant, Step A ($161,060)

• Master Police Officer (MPO) Incentive program

• Health/Vision/Dental Insurance

• Paid Life Insurance (1.5x salary)

• Bi-weekly Monetary Uniform Cleaning Allowance

• Basic Uniform Issue and Annual Monetary Uniform/Equipment Purchase Allowance

• 4/10 Shift Schedule

• Overtime (pay or comp time) at 1.5x hourly wage over 10h/day or 40/h week

• Comp Time Bank (earned as overtime)

• Paid Court Time

• Discipline process and procedures in CBA

• Paid Vacation/Holiday Time:

  • 1 year thru 4 years: 248 Hours Annually

  • 5 years thru 9 years: 268 Hours Annually

  • 10 years thru 14 years: 288 Hours Annually

  • 15 years thru 19 years: 308 Hours Annually

  • Over 20 years: 328 Hours Annually

• Paid Sick Leave-10 hours per month

• Full Line of Duty Injury Leave

• Sworn Retiree Health Plan after minimum age 57 and 15 years of service

• On-Call/Call-Out Pay

• Educational Incentive-Time Off for BA/BS degree and above

• Defense of Civil Claims Article

• Line of Duty Death Benefit

• Bereavement Leave

• Officer Privacy Article

The full CBA is available to police officer candidates upon request.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Police Officer performs assigned and self-initiated patrol activities during assigned patrol shifts or special assignments to enforce laws and applicable ordinances in order to maintain peace and order within the community. Responds to calls for service and assistance and initiates law enforcement contacts, as appropriate. Obtains appropriate information at the scene; determines whether a criminal or civil matter; evaluates information; determines if a criminal event has occurred and takes appropriate action. Provides information, advice and assistance regarding police and community services and crime prevention information. Operates assigned police vehicle, radio, telephone, personal computer with assigned software and uses authorized equipment and weapons, as appropriate, to perform essential job functions. Works under the direct supervision and direction of the assigned patrol sergeant.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives and responds to calls for service and assistance received from the communications center or from citizens of the community or other persons. Obtains and evaluates information; determines priority of action(s) necessary and takes appropriate action at the scene to detect and investigate crime and violations of law, protect and preserve life and property and enforce applicable laws and ordinances.

• Initiates contact with reporting parties; criminal violators and suspects; victims and witnesses; and other persons as required or appropriate. Based upon probable cause, approaches, detains and takes custody of suspects; makes arrests; restrains and subdues suspects, as necessary and appropriate. Gathers information through interview and interrogation techniques. Records information and prepares interview notes and case reports. Searches people and property, as necessary and appropriate; collects and preserves evidence.

• Performs traffic accident investigations and performs traffic enforcement activities during routine patrol, directed patrol and speed enforcement activities. Gathers and evaluates information and evidence from motorists and witnesses at the scene. Prepares accident reports. Issues summonses, as necessary. Requests medical assistance and provides first aid for injured persons, if required.

• Gathers information, prepares, and submits reports in conformance with established policy and procedures through the use of a personal computer. Prepares and issues citations to violators of the law or appropriate ordinances. Checks reports and citations for legal sufficiency, completeness, correct spelling, grammar and construction.

• Through thoughtful and knowledgeable questioning, determines customer needs and the information or service to satisfy those need(s). Customers include, but are not limited to: the general public, including crime victims, witnesses, suspects; other city employees and department staff. Takes an appropriate course of action and provides other city staff members; employees of other law enforcement agencies; probation, parole and jail employees; employees of the district attorney's office; employees of the department of motor vehicles; employees of ambulance companies and emergency medical treatment clinics with the necessary information.

• Identifies and preserves crime scenes, as necessary, by photographing the scene, searching for clues, preserving evidence for later use and arresting criminal violators. Assists, coordinates and cooperates with other law enforcement officers and agencies; provides, obtains or coordinates information for crime-solving purposes.

• Provides testimony in municipal, county and district court regarding police cases, including observations made, statements taken and evidence collected during a specific crime. Prepares for and provides courtroom testimony as necessary in the prosecution of persons accused of criminal activity and violations of the law or ordinances.

• Operates an assigned police vehicle under normal and emergency driving circumstances, as authorized and in accordance with established department procedures and state law.

• Provides information, advice and assistance to business-owners and employees, homeowners and citizens regarding crime prevention.

• Operates a personal computer with assigned software to enter and retrieve data, write and review reports correspondence, forms, notes and other written materials from handwritten copy, handwritten notes, typed copy, interviews, taped voice recordings, in-person voice dictation and other source documents; checks for accuracy, completeness, correct spelling and grammar; reviews the work prior to obtaining approvals and signatures; makes and distributes copies as required. Requires proficiency in the use of a personal computer and word processing software and must have aptitude to learn various other computer software.

• Supports the organizational mission, goals, values and management philosophy. Incorporates the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics into the day-to-day delivery of police services.

• Maintains a positive image and projects an esprit de corps that gives the community the sense of confidence and trust that is essential when delivering law enforcement services.

• Delivers the highest possible quality of service. Treats the community, other public safety agencies, and members of the department with the respect and the extra effort that typifies the best expectations of the Littleton Police Department.

• Must be able to provide credible testimony.

• May serve as an Emergency Worker.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent; and

• Completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours of college-level course work or 90 quarter hours of college-level course work from an accredited institution, with grades of "C" or aboveat time of application, OR four (4) years of active-duty U.S. military service with honorable discharge (unofficial transcripts or DD-214 must be attached to application); and

• Must be at least age of 21 years by start of Academy in July 2026 and no record of felony convictions.

• Must have a valid driver's license.

HIRING PROCESS

The expected duration of the hiring process is 4 to 6 months. Applicants who enter the process but are not selected for employment are not eligible to re-apply for the same position with the City of Littleton for one year.

SAVE THE DATES (Tentative):

• Testing (September 10th - 13th)

• Oral Board Interview (September 28th)

• Backgrounds (September 29th - November 2nd)

• Psychological Evaluation

• Polygraph Exam

• Ride Along

• Interview with the Chief of Police (November 17th)

• Post Conditional Job Offer Psychological Evaluation

• Physical and Drug Screen

• Academy start date (January 18, 2027)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Requires solid knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of law enforcement and the ability to apply those principles, practices and procedures to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Requires solid knowledge of criminal law and investigative techniques and procedures and the skill and ability to apply that knowledge to specific fact situations and cases to determine if violations of the law have occurred and if so, to initiate the appropriate law enforcement activity.

• Requires emotional maturity, sound judgment, understanding, empathy and the ability to: apply knowledge and reasoning to make prompt and effective decisions and act on those decisions with decisiveness and assertiveness in routine and life-threatening circumstances; quickly and effectively evaluate alternative courses of action and select the most appropriate alternative.

• Requires solid knowledge of police tactics and procedures, including: arrest techniques and procedures; hand cuffing, searching people and buildings; self-defense tactics; interview and interrogation procedures; booking of suspects; advisement of rights to suspects; evidence and property handling; qualification and proficiency in using assigned firearm(s) and the skill and ability to apply these tactics and procedures to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Requires solid knowledge and the skill and ability to use required equipment at or above established standards or proficiency and competence, including, but not limited to: digital camera; radar and laser units; intoxilyzer; firearm, handcuffs and expandable baton; computer terminal with assigned software; fingerprinting equipment; vehicle and portable radio; telephone, telefax and photocopier.

• Operates a personal computer with assigned software to enter and retrieve data, write and review reports, correspondence, forms, notes, and other written materials from handwritten ...

Salary : $76,100 - $86,611