Lateral Police Officer id-8298

May 9, 2025

About the Department:

Our mission is to improve community safety and quality of life by reducing crime and its perception. We are committed to serving our diverse community with respect, dignity, integrity, and the utmost moral and ethical character. Driven by the ambition to become the premier law enforcement agency in the southwest region of Colorado, we leverage innovation and cutting-edge technologies. We focus on developing, retaining, and investing in the success of our team members. Through community engagement, we collaborate with citizens and local partners to address issues and improve quality of life, making Durango the best place to live, work, and play.

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Essential Job Duties

What You’ll Do in This Role:

Patrol designated areas of the City to maintain law and order, prevent crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; check buildings for physical security.

Respond to emergencies, including personal and property crimes such as assaults, traffic accidents, burglaries, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, and related incidents.

Collect and process evidence such as fingerprints, fibers, and blood; photograph and preserve evidence to support crime investigations.

Enforce traffic laws; monitor speeds with radar; issue warnings and citations.

Interview suspects, victims, and witnesses in the field.

Document activities through detailed reports and proper preservation of evidence.

Arrest and process prisoners, conduct intoxilyzer tests, and manage prisoner bookings and transfers.

Serve warrants, conduct police raids, and perform bar checks.

Provide accurate and credible testimony in judicial proceedings.

Participate in department-sponsored training programs.

Special Assignments

Traffic and Accident Reconstruction Unit

Enforce traffic codes and investigate traffic accidents.

Identify and address traffic trouble areas through surveys and statistical analysis.

Conduct focused traffic enforcement in problem areas identified by citizen reports or crime data.

School Resource Officer Unit:

Build partnerships and trust with students and school staff.

Enhance school safety and assist administration with safety practices.

Educate students, parents, and staff about law enforcement and serve as a positive role model.

Provide counseling to students and staff as needed.

Organize and deliver educational programs and events for schools in the district.

Minimum Qualifications

You Have:

A valid driver’s license and Police Officer Standards and Testing (POST) certificate.

The ability to pass pre-employment and post-offer testing, including a background investigation, drug screen, and psychological exam.

Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, and techniques, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation, and identification techniques.

Skill in analyzing situations quickly, making sound judgment, and taking decisive action in high-pressure environments.

Proficiency operating all police-related equipment, including but not limited to personal computers, communication equipment, cameras, firearms, radios, alcohol detection devices, speed detection devices, and emergency vehicles.

Understanding of criminal law, procedure, and evidence rules, as well as state and local laws and ordinances.

Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to de-escalate tense situations.

Supplemental Information

What We Can Offer You:

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays

401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan

Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage

Long-term disability coverage

Paid FMLA

Commitment to employee wellness:

Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Resiliency Program: Offers guidance, coaching, and confidential support for mental well-being. Earn 8 hours of PTO for each bi-annual counseling session attended.

Free access to Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Ice Rink and Ski Area

Participation in holistic Employee Wellness Program

Free transit pass and family member discounts

Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning

Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations

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