Police Officer - Detective

Department: Police Department
Reports to: Sergeant - Detective
FLSA Status: Full-Time Non-Exempt
Position closes: Midnight, Sunday September 6, 2026

Pay

Hourly wage rate: $32.50 - $39.82, based on experience and education. Any experience or academic education above the minimum required will result in movement closer to the $39.82 hourly rate.

The Cañon City Police Department has instituted a Career Development Program (CDP), which increases wages by 5%, 10%, or 15%, dependent on the officer’s attained qualifications and length of service.

$10,000 Hiring Bonus: $2,500 at commencement of employment, $2,500 after successful completion of Field Training Program, and $5,000 after one year of service post Field Training.

Benefits

• Sworn Officers receive 30 days Sabbatical Leave every three years, once they have completed five years of service with the department.

About the role

Under general supervision, investigates crimes and assists officers of the Canon City Police Department to protect the lives and property of Canon City residents, business owners, and visitors. This position will be the senior investigator for narcotics enforcement activities.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of investigative duties to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases.
• Investigates known or suspected criminals and facts of particular cases to detect clues to crimes or planned criminal activity.
• Conducts surveillance.
• Becomes familiar with habitual criminals and their habits, associates, characteristics, and aliases.
• Records and reports information to commanding officer.
• Writes requests for subpoenas, warrants, and court orders and presents to courts for judgment.
• Conducts searches, as authorized, of buildings, vehicles, documents, and computers following established procedures.
• Reviews incident reports, develops and follows leads, and interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects.
• Examines crime scenes to obtain clues and gather evidence.
• Arrests or assists in arrest of criminals or suspects.
• Maintains knowledge of computer-related and white-collar crimes.
• Prepares cases for and testifies in the courts.
• Conducts general crimes-related investigations, including but not limited to:
  • Coordinating follow-up with patrol officers and other investigators
  • Cooperating with outside agencies
  • Conducting covert surveillance
  • Undercover operations
  • Operational deconfliction
• Provides excellent customer service to external and internal customers, including effectively listening and communicating, providing accurate information, offering solutions, assisting in resolution, and ensuring timely follow-up.
• Assists with narcotics investigations, computer forensics investigations, and other complex investigations as needed.
• Manages confidential information in coordination with the Detective Sergeant.
• Consults with prosecutors and attorneys and testifies in court as required.
• Attends or completes trainings, seminars, and meetings as required.
• Works varying shifts as assigned, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience:
  • 36 months with CCPD including 24 months at the rank of Officer II or higher, or
  • 24 months with CCPD including 12 months at the rank of Officer II or higher and 36 months with another Law Enforcement Agency as a sworn officer in an investigative capacity, or
  • 48 months with another Law Enforcement Agency, with at least 12 months in an investigative capacity.
  • Demonstrated record of criminal investigations and arrest and an above-average case clearance rating.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Licenses/Certifications:
  • Certified Colorado Police Officer.
  • Valid Colorado Driver’s License.

Any acceptable combination of education, training, and experience that provides the listed knowledge, abilities, and skills may be substituted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience:
  • Completion of specialized narcotics training (e.g., undercover operations, surveillance, drug identification).
  • Demonstrated investigative experience; prior narcotics or vice experience preferred.
  • Leadership training and qualities.
  • 48 months as a Police Officer II or higher, or
  • 36 months as a Police Officer II with CCPD and 36 months as a detective with another LEA as a sworn officer in an investigative capacity, or
  • 60 months with another Law Enforcement Agency, with at least 12 months in an investigative capacity.
• Education: Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science, or related field.
• Licenses/Certifications: Training or certifications in basic investigations, interview and interrogation, criminal interdiction, or related advanced training.

Skills

• Knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertaining to law enforcement issues in Cañon City.
• Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices, and methods of criminal justice.
• Knowledge of the theory, principles, practices, and methods of performing criminal investigations, including developing and following leads, conducting surveillance, and interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including the preparation of reports, warrants, and other legal paperwork.
• Ability to testify in court.
• Ability to examine crime scenes to obtain clues and gather evidence.
• Ability to conduct authorized searches of buildings, vehicles, documents, computers, etc.
• Ability to oversee and respond to emergencies, crime and accident scenes, acts of terror, natural disasters, and preplanned events that require a large police response.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists, including investigating and resolving complaints.
• Familiar with basic computer functions. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Knowledge of basic office equipment including copiers, fax machines, multi-line phone systems, and adding machines.
• Knowledge of computer-related and white-collar crimes.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer service, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to build effective relationships as needed with employees, government officials, contractors, vendors, and the public.

Schedule

• Typically works Monday – Friday but will flex to working weekends and evenings based on seasonal, organizational, or event needs.
• Required to attend occasional City Council meetings and/or other meetings and events after normal work hours.
• Frequent extension of workday to meet deadlines.

Physical Activities

• Travel within the City of Canon City and Fremont County.
• Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Physical demands include lifting, pulling, carrying, and pushing objects up to approximately 175 pounds.
• Occasionally required to apprehend and subdue persons resisting arrest.
• Frequent bending, simple grasping, finger/manual dexterity, standing, walking, twisting upper body, stooping, and hearing.
• Occasional climbing on stairs.
• Communicates verbally with City staff, outside agencies, and the public in one-on-one settings, group settings, and over the telephone.
• Occasionally exposed to hazardous and potentially lethal situations and individuals, including exposure to firearms, other weapons, explosives, toxins, traffic, and natural disasters.