Denver is shaking things up with its approach to police training, especially when it comes to lateral recruits. The Denver Police Department (DPD) has revamped its training program, reducing its duration by a staggering 85 percent for already certified Colorado police officers. Now, these experienced individuals won’t have to endure the same lengthy process that new academy recruits traditionally go through.
The DPD's new lateral officer training process is an efficient four-week academy, currently open for applications. Officers in this program bypass the usual waiting period and dive straight into Denver-centric policies and procedures, like case investigations and use of force. After completing the academy, lateral officers are assigned to a district station, where they undergo a field training program that's now a mere 12 weeks long, reduced from the former 16.
Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas spoke on the matter, noting the potential benefits of this revised training system. "Creating this abbreviated, ongoing training program allows us to expedite training and deploying officers who are already certified, have experience responding to calls, and understand the value of community," he said, as obtained by the Denver Police Department.
This change isn’t just about time savings. There's a financial incentive too. Lateral officers with two years of prior experience begin as second-grade officers, earning $81,511. Meanwhile, those with four or more years can start as first-grade officers, with a salary of $101,889. It's a significant bump compared to the entry-level earnings for new graduates.
To apply as a Lateral Entry officer, the department lays out clear prerequisites. Applicants must be currently employed as police officers within Colorado, have a minimum of two years' experience in patrol duty, and hold a Colorado P.O.S.T certification or its equivalent. These standards ensure that officers joining the DPD family carry with them a reliable level of street smarts and procedural knowledge tailored to the state's unique demands.
