Police Agent; Academy Recruits and Laterals; Police Officer

Overview

Apply by: 3/01/2026

Salary Range: $78,000 - $/year

Benefit info at: not displayed

The nationally recognized and accredited City of Lakewood Police Department is now accepting ongoing applications for the expected July 2026 Academy.

Applications are accepted through the city's website. We have monthly testing dates available. These dates are as follows - February 9-10 and March 16-17

We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage ethnic minorities and women to apply. The City of Lakewood offers excellent benefits. Please visit our Police Recruiting website for more information about the Lakewood Police Department.

To qualify for Police Agent Recruit you must meet the following requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age at date of hire.

• Have obtained a Bachelor s Degree in any discipline from a nationally accredited university by July 1, 2026.

Other State requirements for Police Officers in Colorado, including Lakewood Police Lateral Agents include:

• No felony convictions.

• No convictions of misdemeanor crimes that would affect your ability to certify with the Colorado POST Board. Visit the POST website for a list of misdemeanors that will preclude police officer certification. Generally, traffic violations do not fall under these restrictions; however, you must possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver s license by the date of hire.

To apply as a Lateral Police Agent, you must meet the above criteria and the following:

• Possess an active Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification or an active state equivalent

• Not currently under internal affairs investigation

• A minimum of three (3) years of patrol duty (calls for service/street duty) while employed full time by a police department or sheriff s office in a similar environment

• Experience as a deputy or officer in a correctional facility, or as a Federal or Military Police Officer is not applicable

Please Note:

The following types of experience are NOT regarded as  law enforcement  experience for Lateral to the Lakewood Police Department:

• Deputy/Officer in jail/prison setting

• Full Service employment in a university setting

• A volunteer reserve police officer

• A military police officer

• A District Attorney investigator

• Part-time employment or time spent in a training academy

The Lakewood Police Department values lateral entry and requires a bachelor s degree and active peace officer certification with at least three years of patrol experience. Lateral applicants are evaluated case-by-case; most Colorado certified laterals spend two weeks in a police academy, and out-of-state laterals spend less than two months. Lateral agents may be eligible for an abbreviated field training program.

Lateral agents complete a reduced probationary period and may compete for specialized assignments after probation, with promotion potential after two years.

If you are interested in applying or have questions, please reach out via the recruiting contact: LPDRecruiting.

Testing

Summary:

Must pass a written suitability test, physical abilities test, panel interview, polygraph, job suitability evaluation, post-offer psychological evaluation, background investigation, pre-placement physical examination and drug screen.

Salary Information

• Upon Hire as an Academy Recruit: $78,000.00
• Entry into Field Training: $83,241.60
• Graduation from Field Training: $88,816.00
• Two Years from Date of Hire: $94,764.80
• Three Years from Date of Hire: $
• Four Years from Date of Hire: $
• Five Years from Date of Hire: $

Military Leadership Incentive: The Lakewood Police Department offers starting lateral-transfer pay for veterans, which may include a starting amount of $ in eligible categories. This benefit extends only to veteran pay and veterans must submit a full application package, meet standards and complete the academy and field training.

Job Description (This job description does not intend to list every function of the position.)

In an entry level capacity, performs Police Officer duties including communication, handling dangerous situations, driving, making arrests, transporting arrestees, gathering information, handling firearms, and working rotating shifts. New Recruits are…