Job Summary
The University of Colorado Boulder encourages applications for
Police Officers, to be hired either as Police Officer Recruits or
Lateral Police Officers. These positions exist to maintain order,
prevent, solve, and document criminal activity. Officers' duties
can include the following: conduct various methods of patrol,
arrest violators, file criminal cases with prosecuting attorneys'
offices, respond to emergencies, and provide a wide range of
citizen assistance. Police Officers work special events including
athletic events, distinguished speakers and lecturers, and
concerts. Police Officers will routinely solve issues that require
heightened decision-making abilities, and use analysis and
individual discretion to make choices affecting others and the
campus at large.
Police Officer Recruits attend and successfully pass the Police
Academy and the CUPD Police Training Officer (PTO) program in their
first year. Successful completion of these programs, plus a
probationary period, makes them eligible for full police work.
Police Officer Recruits who have already graduated from a
POST-approved Police Academy prior to their employment at CUPD may
not qualify as lateral police officers until they have also
completed their CUPD PTO program plus successful completion of the
probationary period.
Lateral Police Officers (POST-certified) have experience at another
law enforcement agency within the last twelve months. They can
begin the duties of the position of Police Officer after completing
training requirements of CUPD including on-the-job training.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
Who We Are
The Division of Public Safety seeks to facilitate and coordinate a
culture that supports the Boulder campus’ commitment to maintain
the highest level of ethics, integrity, and safety in the conduct
of its operations. We do this through services to enhance community
safety, protect life and property, and foster safe, secure, and
ethical practices.
The University of Colorado (CU) Boulder is one of America's leading
research universities and the flagship of the CU System. As a
comprehensive public doctoral Research University, CU Boulder is a
member of the Association of American Universities and is
classified as an R1 University. The university has nine schools and
colleges offering over 150 academic programs and enrolling 35,000
degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students.
At CU Boulder, we believe in supporting each other and valuing
everyone who is part of our community. Our values are expected of
all Buffs and lead our actions in the classroom, on campus and in
our community. At CU Boulder, we commit to building a more diverse
and inclusive campus community. We value different backgrounds,
identities and perspectives and believe that engagement with a wide
range of ideas and viewpoints can help students learn and
grow.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Police Operations - Patrol
- Promote public safety by preventing, detecting, and identifying
criminal and suspicious activity, issuing summonses, making
probable cause arrests and/or incarcerating offenders, completing
arrest and search warrants for violations of federal, state, and
municipal laws and traffic offenses.
Emergency and Citizen Responses
- Assist the public with non-criminal emergencies such as medical
emergencies, fires, hazardous materials accidents, natural
disasters, stranded motorist, and missing persons, as well as
provide directions and information to the public.
Special Event and Contract Assignments
- Provide for orderly public events by maintaining crowd and
traffic control and specialized enforcement at political rallies,
demonstrations, concerts, and sporting events, as well as providing
money guards and collaborating with other agencies for security for
dignitaries.
Filing of Cases
- Submit criminal cases directly to federal, state, or municipal
prosecuting attorneys, or university officials for filing of
criminal charges or referrals for violation of university
rules/regulation by writing detailed reports, affidavits for search
warrants and other paper work as required, as well as preparing and
delivering courtroom testimony.
Evidence Recognition, Preservation, Collection, and
Submission
- Collect and preserve evidence by photographing, videotaping,
and sketching crime scenes, collecting fluid specimens, hair and
fiber samples, fingerprints, and other items of evidentiary value,
while maintaining chain of custody requirements.
Interviewing and Interrogating
- Obtain accurate accounts of incidents by conducting interviews
of victims, witnesses, complainants, and obtaining statements from
suspects by conducting lawful and appropriate interrogations.
Proficiencies and Liability Reductions
- Limit person agency and institutional legal liability, by
obtaining certified peace officer status through the State of
Colorado and the city of Boulder, by maintaining strict proficiency
in knowledge of laws, use of computer based resources, crime scene
processing methods, arrest control techniques, non-lethal weapons
methods, and firearms skills through regular training
sessions.
Other Duties
- As assigned by the Chief of Police, Commander, or Sergeant. The
Police Officer might also need to act independently and assume a
duty not assigned by the position. These additional duties could
include being the Department representative at campus meetings and
groups, City of Boulder meetings, State Boards or a citizen
ride-along.
What You Should Know
- This department operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Must be available to work various shifts when needed, including
overnights, swing shifts, weekends, holidays, events etc.
- This position operates University vehicles and requires an
active Drivers' License. This position is subject to a background
investigation, including criminal, financial, and motor vehicle
records background check; job suitability exam; an Excluded Parties
List System check; a review of a personal history statement;
reference and employment checks; and a drug screen. Pre-placement
physical and psychological evaluations are also required.
- This position is considered Essential Services and a Campus
Security Authority.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range is $79,246 - $109,716.
Benefits
At the
University of Colorado Boulder , we are
committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our
employees. Our comprehensive
benefits package includes medical,
dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition
assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local
transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder
offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class
outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through
the
CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be collaborative. Be visionary. Be Boulder.
What We Require
For All Applicants:
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Possess a valid Colorado Driver License by the date of
hire
- Ability to successfully complete a background investigation
with none of the following:
- Felony convictions
- Domestic violence convictions
- Acquiring more than 7 points in the last year and/or more than
12 points within the last two years on a driver's license
- Alcohol/drug-related traffic convictions in the last 3 years
and repeat alcohol/drug convictions after the age of 18 within the
last ten years.
Recruits (no prior law enforcement experience):
- One year of college coursework (30 semester hours). Appropriate
experience will substitute for the education requirement on a
year-for-year basis.
- Possession of current, valid Colorado Peace Officer Standards
and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification will substitute for required
education.
Laterals:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of specialized
education or training as described further below.
- Possession of current, valid Colorado Peace Officer Standards
and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification or ability to attend Colorado
P.O.S.T. refresher academy to obtain certification within 6 months
of hire.
- One or more years of patrol law enforcement experience.
- Law enforcement experience from a municipal, state, or county
commissioned agency.
Consideration of candidates with Non-Municipal and
Non-University Policing Experience:
- CUPD recognizes that candidates may bring valuable law
enforcement experience from a variety of professional settings,
such as correctional institutions/jail facilities, federal or state
policing, and/or military policing.
- These experiences are typically comparable, but not identical,
to municipal or university policing.
- Prior policing experience will be evaluated individually to
determine its relevance to the position and the need to pay
officers equitably within the Police Step Pay plan.
What You Will Need
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to manage relationships in a way that promotes the best
interest of all parties.
- Ability to deescalate tense situations.
- Adapts well to changing priorities/situations.
- Possesses mental vigor and has the ability to sustain
analytical thinking under pressure.
- Ability to evaluate courses of action, determine priorities,
determine a course of action, and justify/defend their
decisions.
- Acts with respect towards authority, while at the same time
maintains integrity and strong ethical behavior.
- Demonstrates a willingness to take action, while maintaining a
respect for human life.
- Demonstrates cultural competency.
- Demonstrates a willingness to grow.
- Willingness to meaningfully engage with the community.
- Inclusivity, collaborator focused, proactive, trained and
prepared.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background
and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and
responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by
August 31, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For
consideration, applications must be submitted through
CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in
any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying
information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school
attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting
or removing this information.
Essential Services
This position is designated “essential services.” The incumbent is
required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies
(snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event)
and report to work for his / her regularly assigned shift during
emergency campus closures.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu
