Denver Police Officer

The City and County of Denver is looking for top-quality applicants to serve its community members in the role of a Denver Police Officer. The Denver Police Department is leading the way nationwide in reshaping the role of a Police Officer for the 21st Century. We look for Officers who are community-oriented and strive to collaborate with the community to solve issues for the community of Denver.

Denver has transformed from a small western city to a major destination because of the highly-desired quality of life it offers to its residents and the millions of people that visit each year. Denver provides the cosmopolitan lifestyle of every major city as well as the majestic Rocky Mountains, which are famous for skiing, snowboarding, and every type of recreational activity you can imagine. Our city has dedicated hiking and biking trails that go on for miles as well as any type of public park to include water sports, music venues, and various forms of recreation. When it’s time to relax after taking advantage of the many social activities that Denver offers, there are countless dining options. From exquisite dining to fast-casual cuisine and food truck events, you will never run out of dining opportunities.

The Denver Police Department offers an excellent salary and benefits package for your career as a Denver Police Officer. The Denver Police Department is one of the few police departments that enables you to reach your top patrol officer pay grade in just three and a half years after starting the Denver Police Academy.

The Salary breakdown based on January 1st, 2025 is as follows:

Police Officer Recruit: $ 71,633 (Starting day one of the Denver Police Academy)

Police Officer 4th Grade: $ 77,143 (Graduation from the Denver Police Academy)

Police Officer 3rd Grade: $ 82,653

Police Officer 2nd Grade: $ 88,164

Police Officer 1st Grade: $ 110,204

Some of the highlighted benefits:

• All patrol districts are on ten-hour shifts with three consecutive days off
• Full salary and benefits start day one of the Denver Police Academy
• Longevity pay starts at five years
• The availability to work various off-duty assignments for extra pay
• Vacation starts at 112 hours per year
• 144 hours of sick leave per year
• ASL (Accumulated Sick Leave) – after five years of employment, unused sick time can be built up to a saved bank of 144 hours which can be used as additional vacation time
• Shift Vote is once per year. You vote for your shift and vacation in November and start in January of the next calendar year. The shift and vacation you vote for are yours for the calendar year
• Civil Service testing for promotion rank (Sergeant and Lieutenant)
• Excellent Benefits Package
• Retirement options at the end of your career
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: For more information, visit https://www.fppaco.org/
  • The rule of 80: For more information, viuhttps://dppa.com/what-is-the-rule-of-80-summary-by-fppaeffective-01-01-21/
  • D.R.O.P For more information, please visit https://www.fppaco.org/PDF/ER/ER-Guide/FPPA-Employer-Guide-2021-Section-05.pdf
  • Available 457 savings plan
• All uniforms and most officer equipment are provided at no cost
• A new bullet-resistant vest is provided every five years
• Yearly Uniform Allowance
• Support of our employee organizations to assist you before you become a Denver Police Officer and during your career

• Denver Police Protective Association
• Denver Black Police Officer Organization
• Denver Police National Latino Police Officers Association

Being a Denver Police Officer on patrol is one of the most rewarding experiences as you navigate through your career with DPD. After your time on patrol, the Denver Police Department offers many different career paths for its officers. You can become a detective, a training officer, a motorcycle officer, K-9 technician, community resource officer, bomb technician, and so many other roles that come with the career of a Denver Police Officer. If you choose to take on a supervisory role, you can test to promote to sergeant, lieutenant, or commander of a district or specialized unit. The possibilities are endless.

The Denver Civil Service Commission application is open now. Please complete Denver Civil Service Application. Once the application has been completed, you will immediately receive notice if you do not meet the minimum criteria. If you meet the qualifications, please test with the National Testing Network as soon as possible (a follow up email will be sent with further instruction in the near future).