Training Bureau
Denver Police Academy
Recruit training is the mainstay of the Denver Police Academy, with classes conducted throughout the year and frequently running concurrently. The Denver Police Academy is certified through Colorado P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training - Certificate # 009) to operate a basic training academy Colorado State P.O.S.T. The academy can accommodate classes of up to 50 recruits. The Denver Civil Service Commission and police administration determine class size and scheduling. Before placement on an eligibility list, applicants must first complete a comprehensive selection process, including a battery of tests, interviews and a thorough background investigation.
Basic Recruit Class training is approx. 26 weeks in duration. Recruits are exposed to a variety of subjects including but not limited to federal, state and municipal law, search and seizure, arrest control, firearms, physical fitness, emergency driving, report writing, tactics, and community interaction. Instructors from the Denver Police Department, the Denver District Attorney's Office, the Denver City Attorney’s Office, as well as a number of other city and private agencies provide recruit officers with professional and quality instruction. Upon graduation each recruit officer is a qualified practitioner in basic police firearms, police vehicle operation, and The Denver Police Department’s arrest control system.
Police recruits must successfully pass a series of weekly examinations, and participate in a vigorous physical conditioning program. They also undego a battery of field problems, testing their ability to function under stress and to reason through a problem. These are often hands-on challenges requiring recruits to interview and take reports from volunteers, search and take subjects into custody, operate emergency equipment, and engage in building searches and shoot/don’t shoot scenarios.
Recruit training is a very challenging and demanding process with over 1,000 hours of training. Recruit officers must then pass the Colorado State P.O.S.T. examination to be certified as a peace officer in the State of Colorado. Upon graduation from the academy recruit officers are assigned to the Patrol Division, where they undergo field training & evaluation. Field training lasts three and one-half months, and builds on the foundation provided by the academy to prepare recruit officers for a solo field assignment.
The academy also conducts training for lateral recruit officers, persons with prior law enforcement experience. The requirements for this program are available from the The Denver Civil Service Commission (720-913-3370).
Lateral recruits attend an abbreviated academy lasting approximately eleven weeks. They are held to the same standards as basic recruits and receive much of the same training. Upon graduation from the academy, lateral officers are assigned to the Patrol Division and must also successfully complete field training & evaluation before being given a solo field assignment.
Lastly, the police academy conducts training for police reserve officers. Police reservers are volunteers with a deep interest in their community and the Denver Police Department. They are not paid for their services and must pass a series of tests and a thorough background investigation before they can enter the program. The Reserve Police Academy is approximately six months in duration. Classes are held at the Denver Police Academy in the evenings and on weekends.