Lateral Police Officer

Salary: $31.94 Hourly

Position Summary:

The Durango Police Department is accepting applications from experienced law enforcement professionals to join our team as Lateral Police Officers. This role involves a wide range of responsibilities, including enforcing laws, preventing crime, protecting lives and property, and delivering exceptional public service. Lateral Police Officers may also be assigned to specialized duties such as community policing, investigations, saturation patrols, or other impactful programs that enhance safety and community trust.

Essential Functions:

• Patrol designated areas of the City to maintain law and order, prevent crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; check buildings for physical security.
• Respond to emergencies, including personal and property crimes such as assaults, traffic accidents, burglaries, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, and related incidents.
• Collect and process evidence such as fingerprints, fibers, and blood; photograph and preserve evidence to support crime investigations.
• Enforce traffic laws; monitor speeds with radar; issue warnings and citations.
• Interview suspects, victims, and witnesses in the field.
• Document activities through detailed reports and proper preservation of evidence.
• Arrest and process prisoners, conduct intoxilyzer tests, and manage prisoner bookings and transfers.
• Serve warrants, conduct police raids, and perform bar checks.
• Provide accurate and credible testimony in judicial proceedings.
• Participate in department-sponsored training programs.

Requirements:

• A valid driver’s license and Police Officer Standards and Testing (POST) certificate.
• The ability to pass pre-employment and post-offer testing, including a background investigation, drug screen, and psychological exam.
• Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, and techniques, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation, and identification techniques.
• Skill in analyzing situations quickly, making sound judgment, and taking decisive action in high-pressure environments.
• Proficiency operating all police-related equipment, including but not limited to personal computers, communication equipment, cameras, firearms, radios, alcohol detection devices, speed detection devices, and emergency vehicles.
• Understanding of criminal law, procedure, and evidence rules, as well as state and local laws and ordinances.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to de-escalate tense situations.