This Police Patrol Officer is FLSA non-exempt, entry-level position under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant. This position exercises a high degree of discretion, trust, and confidence performing skilled police work by critical public contact. The duties involve police patrol, criminal investigations, traffic laws / regulations, related criminal law enforcement activities, and a wide variety of community services. Employees in this classification work in partnership with the community to identify and resolve issues, to provide public safety to the community, and to maintain peace, safety, and order. Employees must exercise considerable judgment, initiative, and skill in a variety of situations and must be able to act without direct supervision in completing work. This position requires employees to work in highly stressful, emergency situations where injury or death of individuals might occur.
This job description is an overview and is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the functions and tasks required of the position.
LATERAL TRANSFERS:
Candidates with qualifying experience and Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification may be eligible for a higher entry rate of pay and an abbreviated academy. Eligible experience will be that of a state, county, or municipal officer with a minimum of two years of patrol experience and Colorado POST Certification or state equivalent. Such eligibility will be determined by the Pueblo Police Chief or his/her designee as part of the employment offer process. Qualified candidates may be eligible to receive up to pay step 5 of the salary schedule, depending on years of qualifying experience.
In addition to the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above, the applicant must:
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Be a U.S. citizen at time of application
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Be at least 21 years of age by date of the written exam
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Possess a high school diploma or GED at time of application
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A valid driver’s license at the time of application, and a valid Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of employment
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License restrictions that may hinder your ability to drive on City business, such as an interlock, will be cause for disqualification
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During the course of employment, a valid license must be maintained, and the employee must notify the City immediately upon changes to the status of their license
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Not have been convicted of the following:
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A felony crime
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A misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
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A misdemeanor crime that would affect ability to certify with the Colorado Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board (https://post.colorado.gov/certification/disqualifying-incidents)
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A DUI or DWAI within the last five (5) years
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Candidates with prior military service in the armed forces must provide, as an attachment to their application, their DD-214 which must reflect Character of Service as Honorable or Uncharacterized discharge
A Colorado POST Certification and higher education is highly desirable.
Tattoos and other markings, as described below, will be cause for disqualification:
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Any tattoos, or other markings on the head, scalp, face, ears, neck (above the collarbone), or hands (wrist to fingertips).
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Permanent cosmetic make-up on the face or permanent commitment band(s) on the finger(s) are exempt from this policy
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Current Police Department employees hired prior to July 1, 2025, will be exempt from this disqualification
Drug usage, as described below, will be cause for disqualification:-
Any use of marijuana within one (1) year prior to the date of application
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Any use of any illegal drugs (i.e. heroin, cocaine, LSD, amphetamines, steroids, or other illegal drug as defined in schedules I through V of Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act) within five (5) years prior to the date of application
Candidates must be willing to submit to a comprehensive background check to include a Truth Verification Analysis. Candidates must also pass a post conditional offer drug screen, psychological evaluation, and medical examination.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Work is regularly performed outdoors and occasionally indoors with frequent exposure to extreme temperatures and all weather conditions. Work is performed year-round with occasional exposure to wet/humid conditions, loud noise, heavy traffic, and all types of hazardous situations, including threatening people, communicable diseases, hazardous materials, chemicals, etc. Due to the nature of this position, periods of high activity and stress in emergency situations will exist, often after extended periods of sedentary activity, under demanding conditions, along with the handling of dangerous or hostile individuals. Individual will work 8- or 10-hour varied shifts and will be subject to working nights, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime.
The successful candidate(s) for this position must be:
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Willing to work any shift, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime
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Able to successfully complete a written examination that is overseen by POST once internal training is received
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Able to qualify with a passing score on the firing range
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Able to pass the stated driving criteria as established by the Pueblo Police Department and POST
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Able to pass an arrest control test as established by the Pueblo Police Department and POST
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Able to successfully pass a physical ability test
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In good physical condition, able to make a forceful arrest, and meet medical standards as established by the Pueblo Police Department
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Able to meet attendance and punctuality standards as established by the Pueblo Police Department and the City of Pueblo
Once hired, PPD employees are prohibited from adding any new tattoos or body art markings to the head, scalp, face, ears, neck (above the collarbone), or hands (wrist to fingertips). PPD policy also prohibits tattoos or other visible markings that are considered extremist, hate-based, indecent, political, or unbecoming a law enforcement officer. Employees may show tattoos that are below the elbow on the arms but above the wrist or below the knees of the legs provided that the tattoos are not otherwise prohibited by policy. Once hired, all employees are required to submit documentation regarding existing tattoos which shall become part of the employee’s departmental personnel file.
All required licenses and certifications listed above must be maintained throughout the term of employment. Failure to obtain or maintain licenses and certifications in addition to keeping the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed for this position may result in demotion or termination.
Due to Federal and State Criminal Justice System access requirements, classifications that access and maintain criminal justice information may also be required, as a condition of employment, to not have been convicted of and/or have pending charges of a felony or misdemeanor crime that would deny or otherwise restrict access to criminal justice information. This requirement applies to all existing City employees as well as external candidates seeking to fill positions that meet the given criteria.
If hired, you must be able submit proof of your legal right to work in the United States. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. The City does not sponsor work visas.
BENEFITS:
The City of Pueblo offers a very rich benefits packet! Click on the “Benefits” hyperlink at the top of this (online) job posting to view a summary of the benefits associated with this position. For a more comprehensive view on the lush benefits offered by the City, please go to www.pueblo.us/benefits.
WRITTEN EXAM: July 10, 2026
Please note that the Civil Service Commission may use a Training & Experience (T&E) evaluation of your application to establish an eligibility list if you are POST certified or a student at an approved police academy.
