The academy also conducts training for lateral recruit officers (persons with qualified prior law enforcement experience). Lateral recruits attend an abbreviated academy lasting seventeen weeks. They are held to the same standards as basic recruits and receive training to qualify for the Colorado POST. Those officers who are already Colorado POST Certified will not need to take the test again. You will then be assigned to one of the six patrol districts and must also successfully complete field training & evaluation before serving in a solo field assignment.

Advanced pay scale based on years of service

• Lateral Salary begins on day one of the Denver Police Academy
• PO - 2. More than two years and less than four years of patrol
• PO - 1.  More than four years of patrol

A few reasons given by lateral officers for transferring over to Denver are:

• Larger patrol area
• Excellent Salary and Benefits
• Opportunity for upward movement
• Good retirement benefits- defined contribution
• Secondary Employment
• Variety of calls during the workday
• Quality of life in and around Denver, CO

Lateral Police Officer Qualifications

• STATE CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: In order to qualify as a Lateral- Entry officer, you must meet the current hiring standards:
  • Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) certification or state equivalent.
  • Currently employed full time as a police officer by a state, county, or municipal police or sheriff’s department.

• Applicants who are retired or separated as a result of layoff can be considered providing:

• 1. Retired officers or officers separated as a result of layoff must apply within one year of separation;
  2. Must have been in good standing at the time of retirement or layoff, and;
  3. Must possess a current Colorado POST certification or state equivalent.

2-YEARS PATROL DUTY: Additionally, all applicants must possess a minimum of two (2) years patrol duty (calls to service/street duty) while employed full time by state, county, municipal police or sheriff’s department. Academy training does not count toward the two-year minimum experience requirement. Experience accumulated as a deputy or officer employed at a correctional facility, college, university, District Attorney’s office, or as a Federal or Military Police Officer is not applicable experience.