Lateral / certified officer · Posted Oct 13, 2026

Lateral Police Officer - Training Unit

Pay
$41.28/hr to $57.26/hr$41.28 - $57.26 Hourly
Closes
Oct 28, 2026Closes in 13 days
Bonus
None stated
Laterals
Not stated

The posting

From GovernmentJobs.com · read Oct 14, 2026 · original

The Thornton Police Department is seeking qualified Colorado POST-certified police officers for a full-time Training Officer position. The officer will be assigned to the Training Unit within the Administration Division and will assist with the development, coordination, and delivery of Department training, including in-service and Colorado POST-approved academy training.

This is a non-supervisory, police officer position within the Training Unit. Applicants must be currently certified as a Colorado Peace Officer through Colorado POST. Colorado POST instructor certifications are preferred but not required. Candidates should have a strong interest in training and developing officers, along with effective communication, instructional, and organizational skills. The position will remain subject to established Department seniority practices.

The Training Officer is a five-year rotating assignment, subject to successful annual evaluation with the potential to become a core assignment at the discretion of the Department. If the position is not converted to a core assignment, the officer will be transferred to the Patrol Division upon completion of the five-year rotation.

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A key factor contributing to the success of the Thornton Police Department is our dedication in pursuing top candidates to join our team. We believe in hiring the best, recognizing that you will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. We value all members of our organization and create an environment that encourages our core values of TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY, SAFETY, INTEGRITY, and SERVICE.

The City of Thornton possesses a productive work culture where you will be encouraged to continually strive to develop and improve yourself personally and professionally. By joining our team you are choosing to be part of an exciting profession that delivers unparalleled job satisfaction.

To learn more, visit our Thornton Police Department Recruitment page by selecting this link.

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Additional Benefits for Sworn Police Officers Include

Police Officer pay progression: The City of Thornton has a step pay plan in place for Police Officers. Step increases are received annually on anniversary dates.

Longevity pay: Police Officers receive an additional 2% on their base salary for every 5 years of service up to 12%.

Retirement: Sworn officers will make a pre-tax contribution to the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) Defined Benefit Plan of 12%. This mandatory contribution is in lieu of social security. In addition, the city offers a Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) administered by Nationwide. The city will match one-half of an employee’s voluntary (pre-tax) contribution up to 1 percent.

Retiree Healthcare: New retirees who have been enrolled in one of the city’s medical plans prior to retirement, and have reached 20 years of service and are 55 years old, or 30 years of service, may continue healthcare benefits through the city until they are Medicare-eligible or 65 years old, whichever comes first.

Uniforms: Each officer is completely outfitted upon appointment (excluding firearms and footwear). Each officer also receives a uniform allowance of $950 annually.

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This is a lateral position only.

The City of Thornton Police Department is a mid-sized suburban department for the 6th largest city in Colorado. Total calls for service in the past year totaled over 250,000.

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Under specified supervision, performs a variety of public safety functions to serve and protect the community and to provide for the enforcement of federal, state and municipal law.

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Provides a variety of law enforcement services including patrolling streets and other public places on an assigned shift.

Performs activities associated with investigations and crime prevention; writes detailed police reports; collects physical evidence. Assists with filing cases; testifies in court.

Provides information, assistance or directions to the public; emphasizes community policing through public meetings and speaking directly with citizens; performs a variety of public relations and public education duties.

Intervenes in disputes, apprehends suspects, makes arrests, issues citations, identifies witnesses, conducts preliminary investigations, and re-establishes law and order at the scene. Interviews and/or counsels involved parties such as witnesses, suspects, students, and parents. Prepares documentation of activities performed and information gathered. Follows up on cases. Protects and preserves crime scenes.

Responds to calls for assistance, including assaults, fights, domestic disturbances, thefts, traffic accidents and traffic control, and other criminal or civil complaints; transports prisoners to detention facilities as necessary.

Interacts with other jurisdictions, law enforcement agencies and courts of law.

Researches and completes special projects, such as policy and municipal ordinance development.

Works a varying schedule and/or shift.

May photograph and/or sketch crime scenes and accidents.

May serve in the public schools as a School Resource Officer. May serve as a member of the Crime Enforcement Reduction Team (CERT), SWAT team, traffic unit technical accident investigator or motorcycle officer and/or Crisis Negotiation Team. May serve as a field training officer, acting field supervisor, police

About Thornton PD

Full department page
  • Starting pay$85,863
  • Top of scale$119,093
  • Sworn officers (2025)243
  • Open jobs1

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