Police Department

Recruitment

• Selection Process
• Testing
• Written Exam
• Clerical Exam
• Physical Exam
• Oral Board Review
• Durango Police Department
• Training
• Benefit package
• Lateral Entry Program

Selection Process

• Contact Sergeant Jacob Dunlop at the recruiting office 970-375-4710.
• Academy graduates who wish to relocate are encouraged to apply.
• Applications will be accepted from academy students prior to the student’s graduation.
• Officers certified in other states may challenge the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification or attend a three week mini-skills training course to become eligible for Colorado law enforcement positions. Proficiency must be demonstrated in the critical areas of firearms, driving, defensive tactics and Colorado statutes. The Attorney General for the State of Colorado provides additional information regarding provisional certification.

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TESTING

A police officer position requires a comprehensive testing process including written and physical exams. Successful candidates complete a psychological exam and oral board review. Testing for the officer eligibility list is normally several times a year and is by invitation only from among applications received. Preference is given to candidates who are P.O.S.T. certified.

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Written Exam - The written exam is a standard entry level police office selection exam. The exam is comprised of four components; Arithmetic, Reading comprehension, grammar\spelling, and report writing. The exam is timed and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. No prior law enforcement experience is neededto complete the exam.

Clerical Exam - The clerical exam includes typing, alphabetizing, numerical comparisons and spelling\grammar. All exams are timed.

Physical Exam - The physical exam includes:

• Twenty-five sit-ups completed within one minute
• Twenty-five pushups completed within one minute
• One hundred yard dash completed within fifteen seconds
• One mile run completed within ten minutes

The location of the exam is dependent upon weather.

Oral Board Review - The Oral Board consists of a three member panel. This panel asks applicants questions related to a law enforcement career.

Each phase of testing is Pass\Fail. Applicants must score 70 percent or better on the written exam and the clerical exam. Applicants must complete each portion of the physical exam within the designated times. Applicants passing this section of testing will move on to an Oral Board Review. The Oral Board Panel will make recommendations to either continue\or not continue with the process based on the interview.

Applications may be obtained online or by contacting the Recruiting Office at (970) 375-4710.

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The Durango Police Department:

• Employs 54 sworn officers.
• Pay range for a starting patrol officer is $46,363 and tops out at $64,958.
• Officers work 12 hour shifts.
• Paid court time.
• Assignment pay.
• Assignments within the department can be: Patrol, FTO, Traffic Unit, School Resource and Investigation.
• Special assignments are: Bike Patrol, Foot Patrol, Motor Units, K-9, Citizens Police Academy, Tactical Team, and DUI Enforcement.
• The Department furnishes and pays for:
  • uniforms
  • the dry cleaning of the uniforms
  • a level III bulletproof protective vest
  • duty weapon (40 caliber Glock) and holster
  • double magazine pouch, three magazines, and ammunition
  • handcuffs and handcuff case(s)
  • baton and baton holder
  • individual radio with charger
  • other miscellaneous equipment/items.

Officers are required to purchase the outer 'Sam Brown' duty belt (basket weave) and the inner belt, shoes, and undergarments.

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TRAINING

A well-trained and knowledgeable peace officer helps reduce liability and better serves the community. Training, therefore, is one of the highest priorities of the Durango Police Department. Approximately 6000 hours of training is offered by the Department.

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Lateral Entry Program

The Durango Police Department offers lateral entry for law enforcement officers who are POST certified in the State of Colorado, or certified in other states and whose criteria meet Colorado POST standards.

Minimum qualifications

• Three (3) years of full time law enforcement experience while employed by a state, county or municipal law enforcement agency. Time spent working in a jail facility or as a reserve officer does not qualify.
• If not initially Colorado POST certified, an out-of-state applicant must become certified within six (6) months of employment. To assist with obtaining certification, the officer may choose to participate in a three-week refresher academy. Although the course may be at the officer's expense, the Durango Police Department will pay the officer's salary while attending.
• Lateral candidates will not be considered if they have any unresolved internal affairs issues or substandard performance evaluations.
• Lateral candidates must submit a detailed resume with their application.
• The examination process remains the same for all police officer applicants.
• Oral board interview: Oral board interviews will focus on the advanced skills expected of an experienced police officer.
• Lateral entry officers may be allowed to accelerate through the field training program upon demonstrating competency, and as approved by the FTO Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

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For more information interested applicants may contact:

Human Resources Department