Police Officer

About the Role

The University of Colorado Boulder is hiring Police Officers as either Police Officer Recruits or Lateral Police Officers. These positions maintain order, prevent and solve criminal activity, and provide a wide range of citizen assistance. Officers conduct patrols, make arrests, file criminal cases, respond to emergencies, and work special events such as athletic events, distinguished speakers, and concerts. Officers must use heightened decision-making abilities and individual discretion to address issues affecting the campus community.

Police Officer Recruits attend and successfully pass the Police Academy and the CUPD Police Training Officer (PTO) program in their first year. Successful completion of these programs, along with a probationary period, qualifies them for full police work. Recruits who have already graduated from a POST-approved Police Academy prior to employment may not qualify as lateral officers until they complete the CUPD PTO program and probationary period.

Lateral Police Officers (POST-certified) have recent experience at another law enforcement agency. They can begin duties after completing CUPD training requirements, including on-the-job training.

Responsibilities

• Police Operations - Patrol: Promote public safety by preventing, detecting, and identifying criminal and suspicious activity. Issue summonses, make probable cause arrests, complete arrest and search warrants, and enforce federal, state, and municipal laws and traffic offenses.
• Emergency and Citizen Responses: Assist the public with non-criminal emergencies such as medical emergencies, fires, hazardous materials accidents, natural disasters, stranded motorists, and missing persons. Provide directions and information to the public.
• Special Event and Contract Assignments: Maintain crowd and traffic control at public events such as political rallies, demonstrations, concerts, and sporting events. Provide money guards and collaborate with other agencies for dignitary security.
• Filing of Cases: Submit criminal cases to prosecuting attorneys or university officials by writing detailed reports, affidavits for search warrants, and preparing courtroom testimony.
• Evidence Recognition, Preservation, Collection, and Submission: Collect and preserve evidence by photographing, videotaping, and sketching crime scenes. Gather fluid specimens, hair and fiber samples, fingerprints, and other evidentiary items while maintaining chain of custody.
• Interviewing and Interrogating: Obtain accurate accounts of incidents by conducting interviews with victims, witnesses, and complainants, and obtain statements from suspects through lawful interrogations.
• Proficiencies and Liability Reductions: Limit legal liability by maintaining certified peace officer status through the State of Colorado and the city of Boulder. Maintain proficiency in laws, computer-based resources, crime scene processing, arrest control techniques, non-lethal weapons, and firearms through regular training.
• Other Duties: Perform additional duties as assigned by the Chief of Police, Commander, or Sergeant. May act independently and assume unassigned duties, such as representing the department at campus meetings, city meetings, state boards, or citizen ride-alongs.

Schedule

This position operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Officers must be available to work various shifts, including overnights, swing shifts, weekends, holidays, and events.

Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Possess a valid Colorado Driver License by the date of hire.
• Ability to successfully complete a background investigation with none of the following:
  • Felony convictions.
  • Domestic violence convictions.
  • More than 7 points on a driver's license in the last year or more than 12 points within the last two years.
  • Alcohol/drug-related traffic convictions in the last 3 years and repeat alcohol/drug convictions after the age of 18 within the last ten years.
• This position is subject to a background investigation, including criminal, financial, and motor vehicle records checks; a job suitability exam; 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 operates University vehicles.
• Designated as "Essential Services" and requires response during campus emergencies and regular shifts during emergency campus closures.

Qualifications

For All Applicants:

• Excellent communication skills.
• 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 and situations.
• Possesses mental vigor and the ability to sustain analytical thinking under pressure.
• Ability to evaluate courses of action, determine priorities, and justify decisions.
• Acts with respect towards authority while maintaining integrity and strong ethical behavior.
• Demonstrates a willingness to take action while respecting human life.
• Demonstrates cultural competency.
• Demonstrates a willingness to grow.
• Willingness to meaningfully engage with the community.
• Inclusivity, collaborator-focused, proactive, trained, and prepared.

For Recruits (No Prior Law Enforcement Experience):

• One year of college coursework (30 semester hours). Appropriate experience will substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Possession of current, valid Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification will substitute for required education.

For Lateral Police Officers:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of specialized education or training.
• Possession of current, valid Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification or ability to attend Colorado P.O.S.T. refresher academy to obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
• One or more years of patrol law enforcement experience from a municipal, state, or county commissioned agency.

Consideration of Candidates with Non-Municipal and Non-University Policing Experience:

CUPD recognizes that candidates may bring valuable law enforcement experience from correctional institutions, federal or state policing, and military policing. These experiences will be evaluated individually to determine relevance to the position and equitable pay within the Police Step Pay plan.

Pay

The annual salary range is $79,246 - $109,716.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and retirement plans.
• Generous paid time off.
• Tuition assistance for employees and dependents.
• ECO Pass for local transit.
• Access to world-class outdoor recreation and additional perks through the CU Advantage program.

About the Division of Public Safety

The Division of Public Safety facilitates and coordinates a culture that supports the Boulder campus’ commitment to maintaining the highest level of ethics, integrity, and safety. Services enhance community safety, protect life and property, and foster safe, secure, and ethical practices.

The University of Colorado Boulder is a leading research university 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 classified as an R1 University. The university has nine schools and colleges offering over 150 academic programs and enrolls 35,000 degree-seeking students.

CU Boulder values diversity and inclusion, supporting each other and valuing everyone in the community. The university is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive campus community and encourages engagement with a wide range of ideas and viewpoints.