Hiring Process

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
  • At least 21 years of age at time of appointment
  • U.S. citizen or proper I-9 documentation
  • Other essential functions listed in the hiring process job description
  • Other than drug offenses, no commission of any felony, convicted or not, after the age of 17
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license

Failure to meet the above minimum requirements are examples of automatic disqualifications and are not all-inclusive. Find out more about additional statutes that affect Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification.

The City of Lakewood does not have a residency restriction.

Apply

Step 1.Review open positions and apply

Check on our open positions.

Step 2.Application review

Your application will be reviewed to ensure the qualifications are met. If they are not met, you will be contacted by a member of our Human Resources Department. If your application is accepted, you will be notified on how to proceed to the testing process.

Step 3.Contact a recruiter

Email lpdrecruiting@lakewoodco.org to speak to a recruiter. 

Testing

Step 1.Application and Next Steps 

After your application is reviewed, you will receive an invitation from Human Resources to schedule your testing.

We will conduct monthly testing to include the Written Examination, Essential Functions and Oral Board interview around the 3rd full week of the month.   

For our OUT OF STATE/LONG DISTANCE APPLICANTS, you will, upon successful completion of each step, complete up to the Written Examination, Essential Functions, Oral Board Interview and Polygraph in one visit.  The Job Suitability and Psychological Evaluations are completed virtually. Two visits are required to complete all testing.  

For our IN-STATE APPLICANTS, you will be scheduled for all subsequent testing via Human Resources upon successful completion of the initial testing steps.  

Our two police training academies are scheduled in January and July. If you are interested in January Academy Testing, you will complete testing from April through September.  If you are interested in July Academy Testing, you will complete testing from October through March.   

This is how the testing will look:  

Step 2.Written Examination 

This in-person examination consists of multiple choice questions, and measures the applicants cognitive ability and behavioral-orientation. 

Step 3.Essential Functions Examination

The in-person essential functions test is an obstacle course approximately 200 yards long. While wearing a police duty belt carrying standard police equipment, you must climb over a six-foot and a four-foot fence, duck under and run around various obstacles, climb stairs, identify a suspect, jump onto and off a platform and drag a 150-pound dummy 24 feet, all within a certain time limit. Watch a video of the Essential Functions Test.

Step 4.Oral Board Interview 

The interview panel may ask questions in areas of judgment, communication skills, interpersonal relations, integrity, professional commitment, general demeanor, work experience and general knowledge.  

Step 5.Job Suitability & Psychological Evaluation

You will be directed to complete a virtual written job suitability evaluation screening instrument. Suitability tests are designed to predict counterproductive behaviors, similar to those screened for during psychological evaluations and polygraph examinations. You will also complete a separate virtual psychological exam which is conducted by a licensed Psychologist contracted by the city.  When you are offered a job, it is contingent upon passing the exams, background, drug testing and receiving a favorable recommendation by the medical professionals you will see during the process.

Step 6.Polygraph & Background Investigation

All applicants take an in-person polygraph examination. The polygraph is used in review of an applicant’s qualifications and suitability. Applicants are investigated as to character, conduct, driving record, employment history, criminal history and references.

Step 7.Medical Examination & Drug Screening 

A medical exam and drug screen is conducted by a licensed professionals contracted by the city.

Upon successfully completing all the testing steps, you will be sent a formal written offer of employment!  

 

Lateral Transfers

Lakewood recognizes the value of hiring experienced and trained police personnel through our lateral entry program. Applicants must meet the hiring requirements for the City of Lakewood, including having a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and complete all testing steps. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or have proper I-9 documentation to work in the United States. Applicants must have an active peace officer certification and their experience will be evaluated on an individual basis. Lateral agents may have an abbreviated police training and a modified testing schedule.  We do offer strong incentives which respect the tenure and experience of lateral applicants. 

Lateral agents complete a reduced probationary period of one year, subject to their performance.  Lateral agents are eligible to compete for certain specialized assignments after successfully completing probation and are eligible for all specialized assignments and promotion to sergeant after only two years of service.

Please contact LPDRecruiting@LakewoodCO.org to discuss your career options with us.  

 

Have additional questions about our hiring process? Check out our FAQs page for more information. 

For more information about Lakewood's training academy, check out our training academy overview. 

What comes to mind when you think of a police officer?

If you immediately picture a man, you should know that today’s most effective police forces exhibit a strong and diverse makeup of intelligent, dedicated and compassionate people.

Lakewood Police Department has garnered national recognition for our community-based approach to law enforcement. This proactive style of policing relies on each officer’s strong ethics as well as excellent interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills. We recognize that women possess these critically important characteristics in an officer, and LPD actively recruits and promotes them in our ranks. We takes great pride in the level of professionalism shared by all our employees. We understand women bring a unique dynamic to the job and are among our team’s strongest assets.

If you seek a rewarding and challenging career – one that will test all of your skills and provides lots of opportunities for advancement – law enforcement may be right for you.

Watch a video of Women in Policing. 

Contact Us

Phone

303-987-7020

Email

LPDRecruiting@LakewoodCO.org

Essential Functions Test

The in-person essential functions test is an obstacle course approximately 200 yards long. While wearing a police duty belt carrying standard police equipment, you must climb over a six-foot and a four-foot fence, duck under and run around various obstacles, climb stairs, identify a suspect, jump onto and off a platform and drag a 150-pound dummy 24 feet, all within a certain time limit.  

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