The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.
A Recruit Academy process is anticipated to open winter of 2026/2027. If you do not meet the qualifications for a Lateral Agent/Police Officer, please refrain from submitting an application until the July 2027 Academy job posting is available. Unqualified applications submitted in the Police Agent Lateral job posting will not be considered.
$104,638.77 – $123,191.63 annually
The City of Lakewood is seeking experienced, currently or previously certified law enforcement officers for lateral Police Agent positions as they occur.
A lateral Police Agent performs full law enforcement duties including emergency response, criminal investigations, enforcement of laws, report writing, and community engagement.
This position is designed for experienced police officers and does not include entry-level (recruit) hiring or academy sponsorship.
Training for lateral hires is tailored based on prior experience and certification status and includes a department-specific academy/skills program and field training.
Performs Police Officer duties, including but not limited to communicating information, dealing with critical and dangerous situations, safely driving in routine and emergency situations, effecting arrests, transporting arrestees, gathering information from victims, witnesses and suspects, handling firearms with proficiency and safety, working a rotating shift.
Communicating Through Radio (Duties Include): Comprehending radio transmissions being received over multiple law enforcement radio channels. Communicating information effectively while transmitting on the radio.
Dealing with High Pressure and Potentially Dangerous Situations (Duties Include): Recognizing situations of potential danger to police personnel, citizens, traffic and surrounding property. Exercising sound judgement in dealing with critical situations. Maintaining calm in high pressure or dangerous situations.
Detecting and Collecting Evidence (Duties Include): Providing a basis for probable cause that a crime has been committed and indicates who committed it.
Driving (Duties Include): Operating a law enforcement vehicle safely in non-emergency (routine) and emergency situations. Responding to the radio-mike while performing multiple functions including; floor pedals, gearshift, steering wheel and the radio (during both daylight and dark hours); in excess of posted speed limits; in congested traffic conditions; in unsafe road conditions caused by such factors as rain, ice, snow, fog, smoke, etc.
Effecting Arrests (Duties Include): Determining if probable cause exists for arrest. Effecting arrests using the techniques and equipment appropriate to meet the resistance presented by suspects. Taking photographs of and obtaining fingerprints from arrested suspects. Transporting arrestees and mental subjects using appropriate force and restraint.
Handling Abuse (Duties Include): Both verbal and physical when dealing with hostile suspects and others encountered in antagonistic environments.
Information Gathering and Disseminating (Duties Include): Effectively communicating with people of all ages from diverse economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds while providing information and directions, mediating disputes, advising of rights and legal processes and testifying in judicial setting. Using proper phone procedures. Gathering information by interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects.
Performing Patrol Functions (Duties Include): Working rotating shifts. Walking on foot patrol. Checking doors and windows for security. Performing First Aid/CPR functions at accident and disaster scenes. Removing injured people from dangerous situations by lifting, dragging, or carrying them. Directing traffic. Safely conduct traffic stops on traffic violators. Controlling crowds. Recognizing potentially dangerous situations and evacuating people from affected area. Stopping and detaining suspicious vehicles and persons. Performing searches of people, vehicles, buildings and outdoor areas.
Reporting/Form Completion (Duties Include):
Selecting and utilizing appropriate report forms. Using appropriate grammar and construction in the thorough preparation of investigative reports, summonses, affidavits, warrants and other required forms.
Utilizing Firearms (Duties Include):
Loading, unloading, aiming and firing handguns from a variety of positions at levels of proficiency and safety prescribed by qualification standards.
NOTE: A Police Agent should maintain a level of physical fitness to be able to safely perform all duties, especially those requiring maximum levels of exertion, e.g., arrest control, suspect chase.
Crawling (Examples Include): To crawl in confined areas, window, during car search on a rare basis.
Supervision Received
Supervision Given
Licensure/Registration/Certification
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited institution of higher learning or from an accredited program. The accreditation must be recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Degrees from foreign universities will be professionally assessed.
Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force
frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects
Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels up to 50 lbs.
Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or position from all levels over 51 lbs. with assistance
Sit, stand or be stationary
Stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, turn or twist all of which may include awkward positions on
both even and uneven terrain
Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, reach, grasp, move, feel, and inspect, etc.
Vision to include; distance, depth perception, peripheral and color
Walk, ascend or descend on both even and uneven terrain
Environmental Conditions may include
Confined spaces
Extreme cold or heat
Frequent vibrations due to equipment use
Fumes or airborne particles
Moderate to extremely loud noise environment
Outdoor weather conditions
Toxic or caustic chemicals
Wet or humid conditions
Work in high, precarious places
$0.00-$0.00
Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.
Being Colorado's 5th largest city means Lakewood offers a myriad of career and advancement opportunities for its team members. Yet, while there are 145,000 residents, Lakewood has a distinct small town feel that translates to a workstyle and lifestyle that’s second to none.
Speaking of lifestyle, Lakewood is in nature’s backyard, with golf courses, parks, biking and hiking trails, fishing, and even camping all within city limits. Plus, world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheater, skiing and the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains is just up the road. Feeling in an urban mood? Some of the region’s most unique shopping and entertainment is right here in Lakewood, as well as a thriving arts and cultural scene. And if you want to go really “big,” the light rail can whisk you into downtown Denver in no time.
Terms of Use:
https://www.lakewood.org/files/assets/public/city-managers-office/documents/2022-terms-of-use.pdf
