FIND_THE_RIGHTJOB.

University of Colorado

Police Officer - Recruit & Lateral

Boulder, United States

Requisition Number:

67691

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

University Staff

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

12-Oct-2025

Date Posted:

01-Oct-2025

Job Summary

The University of Colorado Boulder Division of Public Safety's Police Department is accepting applications for Recruit and Lateral Police Officers! Police Officers prevent, solve, and document criminal activity to maintain order, and their duties can include conducting various methods of patrol, arresting violators, filing criminal cases with prosecuting attorneys' offices, responding to emergencies, and providing a wide range of citizen assistance. Police Officers work special events including athletic events, distinguished speakers and lecturers, and concerts. Police Officers will routinely solve issues that require heightened decision-making abilities and use analysis and individual discretion to make choices affecting others and the campus at large.

Police Officer Recruits attend and successfully pass the police academy and the Police Training Officer (PTO) program in their first year. Police Officer Recruits (POST Academy Graduate) may have also completed a POST approved police academy prior to their employment at Department of Public Safety (DPS) but do not qualify as a lateral police Officers. Upon successful completion of the police academy, the Police Training Officer (PTO) Program, and a probationary period they are promoted to the position of Police Officer.

Lateral Police Officers have experience at another law enforcement agency equivalent sized or larger within the last twelve months. They can begin the duties of the position of Police Officer after completing training requirements of DPS including on the job training.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Division of Public Safety seeks to facilitate and coordinate a culture that supports the Boulder campus’ commitment to maintain the highest level of ethics, integrity, and safety in the conduct of its operations. We do this though services to enhance community safety, protect life and property, and foster safe, secure, and ethical practices.

The University of Colorado (CU) Boulder is one of America's leading research universities and the flagship of the CU System. As a comprehensive public doctoral Research University, CU Boulder is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified as an R1 University. The university has nine schools and colleges offering over 150 academic programs and enrolling 35,000 degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students.

At CU Boulder, we believe in supporting each other and valuing everyone who is part of our community. Our values are expected of all Buffs and lead our actions in the classroom, on campus and in our community. At CU Boulder, we commit to building a more diverse and inclusive campus community. We value different backgrounds, identities and perspectives and believe that engagement with a wide range of ideas and viewpoints can help students learn and grow.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Police Operations - Patrol

Promote public safety by preventing, detecting, and identifying criminal and suspicious activity, issuing summonses, making probable cause arrests and/or incarcerating offenders, completing arrest and search warrants for violations of federal, state, and municipal laws and traffic offenses.

Filing of Cases

Submit criminal cases directly to federal, state, or municipal prosecuting attorneys, or university officials for filing of criminal charges or referrals for violation of university rules/regulation by writing detailed reports, affidavits for search warrants and other paperwork as required, as well as preparing and delivering courtroom testimony.

Evidence Recognition, Preservation, Collection, and Submission

Collect and preserve evidence by photographing, videotaping, and sketching crime scenes, collecting fluid specimens, hair and fiber samples, fingerprints, and other items of evidentiary value, while maintaining chain of custody requirements.

Interviewing and Interrogating

Obtain accurate accounts of incidents by conducting interviews of victims, witnesses, complainants, and obtaining statements from suspects by conducting lawful and appropriate interrogations.

Special Event and Contract Assignments

Provide for orderly public events by maintaining crowd and traffic control and specialized enforcement at political rallies, demonstrations, concerts, and sporting events, as well as providing money guards and collaborating with other agencies for security for dignitaries.

Emergency and Citizen Responses

Assist the public with non-criminal emergencies such as medical emergencies, fires, hazardous materials accidents, natural disasters, stranded motorist, and missing persons, as well as provide directions and information to the public.

Proficiencies and Liability Reductions

Limit person agency and institutional legal liability, by obtaining certified peace officer status through the State of Colorado and the city of Boulder, by maintaining strict proficiency in knowledge of laws, use of computer-based resources, crime scene processing methods, arrest control techniques, non-lethal weapons methods, and firearms skills through regular training sessions.

Other Duties

Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Police, Commander, or Sergeant.
The Police Officer might also need to act independently and assume a duty not assigned by the position.
These additional duties could include being the Department representative at campus meetings and groups, City of Boulder meetings, State Boards or a citizen ride along.

What You Should Know

This department operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Must be available to work various shifts when needed, including overnights, swing shifts, weekends, holidays, events etc.
This position operates University vehicles and requires an active Drivers' License. This position is subject to a background investigation, including criminal, financial, and motor vehicle records background check; job suitability exam; polygraph; an Excluded Parties List System check; a review of a personal history statement; reference and employment checks; and a drug screen. Pre-placement physical and psychological evaluations are also required.
This position is considered Essential Services and a Campus Security Authority.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for these positions is $76,197.14 - $105,497.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be collaborative. Be informed. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Recruit

One year of college coursework or equivalent combination of relevant experience, education, and/or current Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification.

Lateral

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of experience & education.
Possession of current Colorado P.O.S.T. certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire if certification is from another state.
At least one year of patrol law enforcement experience.
Experience from other settings will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on job duties, training, and experience.

What You Will Need

Ability to manage relationships in a way that promotes the best interest of all parties.
Ability to deescalate tense situations.
Adapts well to changing priorities/situations.
Possesses mental vigor and has the ability to sustain analytical thinking under pressure.
Ability to evaluate courses of action, determine priorities, determine a course of action, and justify/defend their decisions.
Acts with respect towards authority, while at the same time maintains integrity and strong ethical behavior.
Demonstrates a willingness to take action, while maintaining a respect for human life.
Demonstrates cultural competency and a willingness to grow.
Willingness to meaningfully engage with the community.
Inclusivity, collaborator focused, proactive, trained and prepared.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by October 12, 2025 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Essential Services

This position is designated “essential/critical services.” The incumbent is required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies (snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event) and report to work for regularly assigned shifts during emergency campus closures.