P&S Redditors, here is our for our July of 2026 academy, welcoming both new recruits and laterals! The academy kicks off mid-July 2026 (likely 1/13/26) in Lakewood, CO.
Apply by 3/2/2026. The Entry Level Written Test and Orientation will be held in person at the Lakewood Police Department on February 9, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. and March 16, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.; applicants who pass the written test will advance to the Essential Functions Test later the same day at 12:30 p.m. at the Green Mountain Recreation Center. Candidates who successfully complete the steps on Day 1 will then participate in a Structured Oral Interview at the Lakewood Police Department on Day 2 (by appointment on February 10 or March 17, 2026).
Visit www.JoinLakewoodBlue.com to apply!
Here are some quick points of interest for applicants, to make this as transparent as possible:
- We require a 4-year degree at hire for all sworn personnel. We are the only department in CO with that requirement for all sworn personnel.
- Our testing process includes an in-person written suitability test, physical abilities test (obstacle course), in-person oral board interview, polygraph, virtual job suitability evaluation/psychological evaluation, background, and in-person medical examination & drug screen. If you perform well during testing, we may be able to start you a couple of months earlier.
- For out of state applicants: Two visits in total to CO, the second one is for the medical screening and drug test.
- The written test, physical abilities test, oral board are done on the first visit over two days. Out of state candidates will take a polygraph as well while they are here on their first visit.
Police Agent (Officer) Annual Salaries: These are our 2025 salaries, will update for 2026 soon. Salary is market adjusted in the first quarter of the year when economic conditions allow.
- Upon Hire as an Academy Recruit: $78,000.00 (Academy is 21 weeks + 4 weeks of LPD class)
- Entry into Field Training: $83,226.00 (16 weeks of Field Training)
- Graduation from Field Training: $88,802.14
- Two Years from Date of Hire: $94,751.89
- Three Years from Date of Hire: $101,100.26 (Lateral & Veteran starting salary)
- Four Years from Date of Hire: $107,873.98 (Lateral with 4 years of patrol experience)
- Five Years from Date of Hire: $117,940.73 (Lateral with 5 years of patrol experience)
Promotional Positions:
Sergeant Pay Steps:
- $126,786.28 (Year 1)
- $132,998.81 (Year 2)
- $139,515.75 (Year 3)
- $146,660.00 (Year 4)
Commander Pay Range: $153,993 and up
Division Chief Range: $185,918.25 and up
Career Growth Opportunities:
Detective: Persons, Property, Juvenile, Task Force positions.
Crime Scene Investigators
Special Teams:
o Traffic
o Community Action Team
o Special Enforcement Team
o West Metro SWAT (Tier 1, Not a Full-Time Team)
o Crowd Control (Not a Full-Time Team)
o Drone (Not a Full-Time Team)
o Recruiting and Training
o https://www.joinlakewoodblue.com/Specializations
We have a very supportive community of 156,000 that keeps us as the highest paying department in CO, paying 1% above anyone else. Our city will also give you all the variety you can want in this profession, and our location varies from suburban to urban, bordering Denver to our east and backing up to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on our west.
Are you a lateral?
Laterals: Lateral applicants must meet the hiring requirements for new recruits, including possessing a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Lateral applicants must have an active peace officer certification and at least three years of police patrol experience. The experience must have occurred in a similar environment and policing experience such as federal, railroad, private police, military, part time, volunteer and collegiate law enforcement will not be considered. Lateral agents are eligible for an abbreviated field training program as short as six weeks. Each lateral applicant’s qualifications and performance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Most Colorado certified laterals spend two weeks in a police academy setting, and most out-of-state laterals spend less than two months in a police academy setting getting Colorado POST certified. Lateral agents are eligible for an abbreviated field training program as short as six weeks.
As of April 1, 2025, Lateral pay starts at $101,100.26 for those with at least 3 years of experience, 4 years come in at $107,873.98 and 5 years or more starts at $117,940.73. Please speak to a recruiter about any lateral hiring incentives which are occurring for a specific hiring process.
Again, everyone is reviewed on an individual basis, so bring forward the experience you have, and we will look at what pay you qualify for.
Are you current or former Military?
The Lakewood Police Department offers our Military Leadership Incentive (which is $101,100.26) for veterans who fall into either one of the categories below:
· Any service member or veteran, E-5 and above, with a bachelor’s degree and five years of active-duty service.
· Or any service member or veteran, E-5 and above, with a bachelor's degree and eight years of reserve/guard service or six years of reserve/guard service in a law enforcement AFSC/MOS/NEC.
Are you interested in our benefits? Here is the link to our most recent book here .
· Money Purchase 401a Retirement Plan (13% City, 11% Employee) **Defined Contribution**o 457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (City adds 3% for a Total: 27% Base)
· Health Insurance Plans (Kaiser, Cigna), Health Savings Account (HSA) (City contrib. up to $2,000/yr)
o Delta Dental and City Paid Vision Plan
· Vacation Leave (96 hours / year for new employees, max out at 160 hours per year for tenured employees)
· Sick Leave (96 hours / year)
· Holiday Time (104 hours / year)
· Overtime and Extra Duty Opportunities
· Compensatory Leave allowance of 120 hours
· Flexible Spending Accounts
· City paid life insurance 1.5x salary and other life insurance available for whole family.
o Long Term Disability Insurance
o Duty Death and Disability Plan
· Tuition Assistance (up to $5,250 / year)
· Complimentary use of recreation facilities (Whitlock, Green Mountain, Carmody, Link)
o Discounted Golf at Fox Hollow and Homestead
· Apple iPhone for business use
· Lakewood Police Employee Assistance Foundation (LPEAF)
· Uniform Dry Cleaning
Lakewood Wellness Offerings:
· Lakewood Employee Wellness Portal (New Incentive Program)
· National Emergency Responder/Public Safety Center
· SupportLinc:
• Clinicians trained in trauma and critical incident response
• Peer support integration
• Faster access to care
• 24/7 live support from licensed professionals - not just a call center
Virtual & Onsite Wellness Trainings (Stress Reduction Techniques, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Mental Health First Aid, Retirement Smart Series)
· On-site Flu Shot
· On-site Biometric Screenings
· Employee Wellness Center (Civic Center)
· On-site & Virtual Fitness and Yoga Classes
· Free Recreation Center Pass (general admission classes included)
· Cigna & Kaiser Wellness Resources
· Tactical Nutrition Online Curriculum
· Sigma Cardiac Wellness Screening
· Gym Use: Off-Site Police Gym (PAL) and use of any city recreation center.
· Meal Delivery Service: My Fit Foods
· Individual Nutrition Coaching
You can get more information on the department, our history, assignments, sign up for a ride along, email recruiters, get info on the hiring process, and also apply at www.JoinLakewoodBlue.com. You can comment below and also DM with questions.
If you are looking for NON-SWORN employment, please visit https://lakewood.wd503.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers
If anyone has questions, let us know.
Why do you require a bachelor's degree if you don't care what the degree is?
Does your department have data indicating that patrol officers with unspecified BAs and BSs produce more arrests? Convictions? Fewer crimes in office? Etc?