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The Arvada Police Department recognizes that Lateral Entry Candidates can bring advanced skills and work experience to our department.  The department offers the following incentives to qualified applicants:

 Minimum Qualifications

In addition to the normal minimum qualifications for police officer, lateral entry candidates will:

• Possess a Colorado P.O.S.T. Certification or ability to test out and obtain certification.
• Possess a minimum of one-year experience as a patrol officer with a civilian law enforcement agency having a policing environment similar to that found in most urban or suburban settings.
• Whether a candidate is a current officer or one who left policing in good standing, they must provide for a full and unconditional release of prior personnel records including disclosure of the existence and content of any sealed files.

Examination Process

• Lateral candidates must submit a resume with their application.
• Lateral entry candidates must participate in all Arvada screening and testing processes for police officer.
• The Oral Interview for lateral candidates will focus on the advanced skills expected of an experienced police officer. Oral Board members may consist of two sergeants, one commander, and one deputy chief.

Field Training

• Lateral entry candidates will be allowed to accelerate through the field-training program as capable. Lateral candidates must complete the Field Training Program as designed but the training time frame may be modified by the FTO Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits

Lateral entry candidates with:

• At least one year but less than two years street experience start at one step above the entry-level salary.
• At least two years but less than three years street experience start at two steps above the entry-level salary.
• At least three years but less than five years street experience start at  three steps above the entry level salary.
• Five or more years street experience start at four steps above the entry-level salary.
• Upon completion of the probation period, lateral entry candidates will be allowed to credit their total years service as a law enforcement officer toward eligibility for assignment or promotion.
• Lateral entry candidates with Arvada are not faced with the prospect of attending another academy program, as is the case with many other agencies.
  

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