Lateral/Certified Police Officer

CURRENT APPLICATION AND INTERIVEW PROCESS FOR JANUARY 2025 HIRING IS CLOSED.

INTERVIEW PROCESS WILL BEGIN AGAIN IN FEBRUARY 2025 FOR MAY 2025 HIRING. Any new applicants received after Oct 28, 2024 will be considered for May 2025 hiring 

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Windsor, Colorado, established in 1881, is a thriving home-rule municipality strategically located between Denver and Cheyenne. Originally rooted in agriculture and railroads, Windsor has grown fivefold in the past 30 years, becoming one of Colorado's most desirable communities in northern Colorado. With excellent schools, quality healthcare, and diverse housing, Windsor offers a safe, close-knit environment. The town is home to 44,632 residents, with easy access to nearby cities and educational institutions like Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado. Windsor features 26 parks, 53 miles of trails, and a vibrant downtown. Major employers include Anheuser-Busch and Vestas Blades America. Upcoming developments include the Legends Sports Complex and a new Police Department facility.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Windsor Police Department is comprised of six main divisions: Community Engagement, Investigations, Patrol, Property & Evidence, Records, and Special Operations. As an agency, the Police Department continues to work toward strengthening its relationship with the community by recruiting individuals that reflect its vision of striving to do better each day, and by hiring only those who are committed to serving everyone in the community at the highest level.

The Police Department provides the following community services:

• Community Engagement Team: Establishes and fosters positive relationships within the community.
• Investigations: Conducts follow-ups and prepares cases for appropriate clearance.
• Patrol: Keeps watch and responds to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Property & Evidence: Maintains the integrity of evidence and/or property collected during a criminal investigation and/or held for safekeeping.
• Records: Gathers accurate crime data from officers, processes, maintains, and releases police records.
• Special Operations: Handles commercial vehicle inspections, Municipal Court security and provides support at special events. This team is also an integral part of the Town’s traffic safety efforts.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The Individual in the Police Officer role is assigned specific assignments, job duties, scope, authority, responsibility, roles and requirements as determined by the Town, Department, Division, and pursuant to laws, regulation and practices. Individuals in this position must be able to successfully perform, be responsible for and/or assist in the fulfillment of many job functions and duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive:
Essential Functions

• Affect an arrest, forcible if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and approved weapons in self-defense; process and transport people taken into custody or detained.
• Prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations. 
• Exercise independent judgment in determining when and to what extent force may be used, and when there is reasonable suspicion to detain or probable cause to search and arrest.
• Safely operate a law enforcement vehicle both day and night, in all types of weather, in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and on unsafe road conditions.
• Communicate effectively with dispatchers and other police personnel utilizing laptop computer and radio.
• Gather appropriate information from victims, suspects, witnesses, and confidential informants.
• Properly handle and use weapons and/or firearms from a variety of body positions, under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force, and perform at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.
• Perform searches, which may involve walking for long periods, and stopping and detaining suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Engage in patrol functions that include rotating shifts, foot patrol, and physical security checks of buildings.
• Effectively communicate with people in order to inform and direct, mediate disputes, and advise individuals of legal rights.
• Effectively communicate with people in court and other formal settings, including public speaking engagements.
• Detect and collect evidence and substances related to criminal offenses, often in dangerous conditions.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters that may involve physically moving people away from dangerous situations, or evacuating people from particular areas.
• Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits, and warrants. 
• Interact cooperatively with co-workers and members of the community.
• Report to work on time and maintain an acceptable attendance record.

• The Police Officer position participates in the Shared Fleet Vehicle Program, which requires an annual motor vehicle record check.
• May be involved in special projects that are directly or indirectly related to essential job functions.
• Continues educational and certification requirements in order to remain abreast of current methods and procedures.
• Assisting other departments/divisions as necessary.
• May participate in Town employee committees, projects or assignments as required.
• Other assigned activities by the Chief of Police or Police Commanders. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND FORMAL TRAINING

• Must have a high school diploma or GED

• Must have a current Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one upon hire, that meets the Town of Windsor’s standards.
• Must possess Colorado POST certification or probationary certificate from an approved academy by the time of appointment
• CPR/1st Aid certification within three (3) months of employment

• Must be able to legally possess and carry a firearm.
• Modern police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, community policing, traffic control, and investigation.
• Knowledge of pertinent local, state and federal laws, codes and regulations, including laws governing the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
• Techniques and applications of self-defense and proper use of force.
• Use, operation, and maintenance of police equipment, such as police radios, vehicles, and tools (including firearms, TASERS, and impact weapons).
• Principles and methods of training and instruction.
• Proficient understanding of and ability to use computers and supporting applications.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in interviewing witnesses, victims, or suspects.
• Principles and techniques used in public relations, including techniques and principles of effective interpersonal communication.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, including principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation and review.
• Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence.
• Obtain information through observation, investigation, and the interviewing of victims, complainants, witnesses, and suspects.
• Ability to conduct and supervise a variety of criminal and special investigations.
• Ability to control violent people and affect arrests.
• Exercise sound judgment and rational thinking under dangerous and stressful conditions.
• Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable local and State and Federal policies, laws, and regulations.
• Interpret and explain Town law enforcement policies and procedures.
• Perform the full range of law enforcement assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, including preparing clear and concise reports and routine correspondence.
• Demonstrate a high ability to interact with the public courteously, with patience and a positive attitude.
• Maintain contact and preserve good relations with the public; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Meet and maintain all department, State, and Federal Peace Officer Qualifications.

• Equipment: Position requires use of various equipment including vehicles, lethal and less-lethal weapons systems, computers, recorders, phones, radios, AED and first responder equipment, duty belt, ballistic vest, fire extinguisher and general office equipment and supplies.
• Materials:Position requires ability to use the following materials: N/A

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.The physical activities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.The physical requirements of this position are considered Very Heavy Work, exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.The employee may be subject to the following environmental conditions: inside, such an office setting; outside, with little to no effective protection from weather; extreme cold, typically below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour. extreme heat, temperatures typically above 100 degrees of periods of more than one hour; subject to noise.The employee is subject to hazards, including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals. The employee is subject to atmospheric conditions that may affect the respiratory system, or the skin; subject to oils.The employee is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways; exposed to infectious diseases; and required to function around prisoners or mental patients.This position is not considered safety sensitive because the individual does not operate a commercial motor vehicle, as a regular function of his/her daily job duties.
Note: This position description is not intended to be an exclusive list of all of the requirements, duties, tasks, roles or responsibilities associated with the position. Nothing in this position description restricts the town’s ability to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.

The Town of Windsor will make all reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity in employment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The town is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. The town prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), gender (regardless of gender identity or gender expression), sexual orientation, color, religion, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, military status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.

The town is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity.  The town prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), gender (regardless of gender identity or gender expression), sexual orientation, color, religion, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, military status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.  This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on any of these protected classes.  Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct that has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.  This policy applies to all employees, including managers, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as customers, clients, vendors, consultants, etc.

The town will make reasonable accommodation(s) for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the town or cause a direct threat to health or safety.  The town will make reasonable accommodation(s) for employees whose work requirements interfere with a religious belief, unless doing so poses undue hardship on the town.  Employees and/or applicants needing such accommodation are instructed to contact the Human Resources Department.