Join WPD

The mission of the Westminster Police Department is law enforcement excellence in community safety and service through vigorous policing, professionalism, leadership and innovation.

To exhibit strong leadership in our community, our organization, and as individuals. To embrace and encourage innovation in all our thinking, decisions and actions. To be courageous by demonstrating mental and moral strength, not only in times of difficulty, but in all circumstances.

$10,000 HiringBonus for ALL Newly Hired Police Officers including Trainees, Certified, andLateral Officers

Police Officer Trainee: $70,865

Police Officer - Lateral: $77,667 - $104,852  depending on years of patrol experience. 

Police Officer Pay Progression:  The City of Westminster has an aggressive step pay plan in place for police officers.  Step increases are received on anniversary dates, contingent on job performance.  Officers can reach top out pay after their fifth year.

Medical Benefits
Health, Dental and Vision plans for employee and dependents, with the city paying a portion of the premium cost. Optional Medical Flex Spending Account available. Employee Center for Healthy Living available, which employees can use for annual physicals, blood work, routine sick visits, vaccinations, prescriptions, etc. Comprehensive Wellness Program offers participants a discount on their premium cost.

Pension and Retirement Plans
Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) administered plans that include defined benefit plan or hybrid defined benefit and  money purchase plan.  Death and disability and deferred compensation plans are also available through the city. Benefits upon retirement depend on years of service and the highest salary reached during employment. 
Officers can enroll in additional 401k retirement plans such as; ROTH, 457, 527 medical.

General Leave, Vacation, and Holidays
142-190 hours of general leave accrued annually, depending on years of service. 126-222 hours of paid vacation allowed per year, depending on years of service. Additionally, all employees receive nine paid holidays and one floating holiday per year.
All benefited employees hired on or after January 3, 2022 will receive 40 hours of leave upon their hiring. The hours are prorated based on Full Time Employee (FTE). These hours do not expire and do not carry any cash value. 

• Volunteer leave up to 10 hours per year
•  General Leave Cash out program
•  Personal Leave up to 40 hours per year
•  Parental Leave up to 4 weeks
•  Care Giver Leave
•  Military Leave – 15 days of paid leave per year

Term Life Insurance, long Term Disability, and Survivors Benefit
City pays full premium for life insurance coverage equal to 1 ½ times of employee’s salary. Long term disability at 60% of monthly salary up to $7,500. Survivor’s benefits payable at 20-60% of base salary. Additional life insurance plan available. 

Education and Training
The department provides in-house training and may also pay for employees to attend external job-related training. Educational tuition reimbursement is available to employees after one year of employment at 50% of the tuition/fees, up to $2,500 per year.

Bilingual Bonus
Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Up to $1,500 bonus per year if fluent in Spanish, Hmong or Laotian.

Requirements - All Applicants

• 21 years of age
• High School Diploma or GED
• High Moral Character

Police Officer Trainees

• Candidates who are hired will be sent to a state certified law enforcement academy. Upon successful completion, the trainee will be promoted to entry-level police officer.

Police Officer - Certified

• Graduation from a certified police academy

Colorado POST or Colorado Provisional POST Certified

Police Officer - Lateral

• Graduation from a certified police academy
• Colorado POST or Colorado Provisional POST Certified
• Minimum of two years full-time patrol experience within last three years.

WPD values prior military experience.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Patrol, Investigations, Traffic Unit (Cars and Motorcycles), North Metro Drug Task Force, Special Enforcement Team, Parks and Recreation Officers, School Resource Officers, Public Information Officers, Court Marshal Unit, K-9 Unit, Liquor Enforcement, SWAT Team, Hiring/Background Investigations, Internal Affairs Investigations, Field Training Instructor, Range Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Officer Survival Instructor, Honor Guard Program, 17^th Judicial District Critical Incident Team, North Metro Traffic Accident Investigation Team

30 X 30 PLEDGE

The Westminster Police Department's Student Intern Program is designed as a broad overview of department assignments and operations for students interested in a career in Law Enforcement. Interns will attend the department's Citizens Academy course, participate in ride-alongs, shadow officers and personnel in specialty assignments, and participate in other training exercises and duties as assigned.

Program Composition

Citizens Academy, Ride-alongs with: Patrol, Traffic, Accident Investigation, Special Enforcement Team (Undercover/Surveillance), K9, School Resource Officers, Municipal Court Marshalls, and Animal Management. Shadowing of following units: Investigations, Public Information Officers, Criminalists/Crime Lab, Victim Services, Dispatch, Graffiti Enforcement, Code Enforcement, Records, and Property/Evidence Technicians. Municipal Court Jury Selection/Trial Observation. Other possible duties as assigned: PD community/special events, SWAT/Officer Survival scenario training & special projects.

Program Duration - Fall Semester (Mid-August-Early December)/Spring Semester (Mid-January-Early May). Schedule is flexible, depending on student’s availability and specific assignments. 

Compensation - Interns are unpaid volunteers

Qualifications & Eligibility

• Currently enrolled in a 4-year baccalaureate program at an accredited college/university with Junior or Senior standing. Graduate students will be looked at on a case-to-case basis.
• Currently enrolled in an internship or independent study course at their college/university
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills to interact with law enforcement, citizens, supervisors, coworkers and fellow interns
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Schedule flexibility

Disqualifications

• Any felony arrest will disqualify an intern from participation in the program. All misdemeanor arrests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and may cause for exclusion from the program.
• No marijuana use within the past three years. No other illegal drug use within past five years.
• Any arrests or negative police contact during the duration of the program will result in dismissal, with notification to the college/university. 

How to Apply

• Complete Internship Application to include personal references, employment history, and personal history
• Cover Letter or Letter of Interest
• Unofficial academic transcript
• Please submit all of the above documents to Sergeant Janay Hall at jhall@westminsterco.gov
• Apply by July 15th for Fall semesters and December 1st for Spring semesters. Qualified applicants may be selected prior to these dates – applying early is recommended.

Selection Process

Applicant will be required to comply with the same standards as other volunteer positions with the department. They will be required to submit the above information, interview with appropriate department member(s), complete a CVSA evaluation, and go through a background investigation. There will be several applicants for a limited number of positions, and the most qualified applicants will be selected for the position.

Victim Advocates with the Westminster Police Department respond to crime scenes to provide crisis intervention, support, information, and referrals to victims of crime and or personal tragedy. Advocates act in an on-call capacity, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and each advocate works 3 shifts a month. This is a great volunteer opportunity to those interested in giving back to the community or with an interest in Criminal Justice.

How to Become a Volunteer Victim Advocate

• Fill out a volunteer application
• Pass a background check, including a polygraph examination 
• Successfully complete a 40-hour training program
• Attend monthly meetings
• Sign-up for three 12-hour, on-call shifts each month