Detective

Job Title: Detective             
Department: Sheriff’s Office               
Reports To: Patrol Captain
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation Range: 2026 $90,654-102,032 annually

• Based on years of experience as a certified law enforcement officer.
• 2026 Pay Scale:

 

Steps	Annual Salary
Step 1	$   90,654
Step 2	$   93,374
Step 3	$   96,175
Step 4	$   99,060
Step 5	$   102,032

2027 Pay Scale: $93,374.44 - $105,093.75
 

Steps	Annual Salary
Step 1	$   93,374.44
Step 2	$   96,175.67
Step 3	$   99,060.94
Step 4	$   102,032.77
Step 5	$   105,093.75

Benefits: Employee Benefits | Lake County, CO
**Open until filled**

Incentives Include:​​

• Additional pay potential for fluency in Spanish, degrees in postsecondary education, certified field training officer, and other training certificates
• The Lake County Sheriff's Office is looking for a P.O.S.T certified Law Enforcement Officer, with a strong desire to serve our community with professionalism and honesty. Must possess good communication skills and a commitment to our core values of Integrity, Service and Excellence. The ability to connect with a diverse community in a rural setting, preferably with bilingual proficiency and a desire for public service.
• Overtime opportunities paid at time and a half, after 80 hours in a 14-day work period.
• County employees can also receive an annual allowance for health and wellness costs.
• End-of-Year bonus. Based on months of service within the year.
• Duty firearm will be provided. 
• All uniform, belts, holsters, and other equipment, including ballistic body armor and plates, with the exception of footwear, are provided. Ballistic armor is replaced every five years at no cost to the employee.
• Current P.O.S.T, and applicable instructor skills certifications will be considered for incentive bonuses to salary. (Firearms, arrest control, driving skills, other)
• Culture of personal and professional development through skills instructor courses, education, higher learning, etc.

Why join our team?
Join a workplace where public service meets opportunity. At Lake County Government, employees are empowered to grow, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact every day. We offer a supportive environment that values innovation and connection, with reliable compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to helping you succeed both professionally and personally.

Cultural Expectations

• Assume Good Intent: Approach each interaction with positive mindset and openness to understand others.
• Model Professional: Maintain high standards in behavior and communication that reflects our values.
• Apply County Wide Lens: Consider the broader impact of decisions on our community and organization as a whole.
• Be Solutions-Oriented: Focus on finding constructive solutions rather than dwelling on problems or challenges.
• Practice Servant Leadership: Prioritize the needs of others, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Support Meaningful Work-Life Balance: Encourage boundaries that support personal well-being while achieving professional responsibilities.

Position Summary
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is looking for an experienced Law Enforcement Officer, with a P.O.S.T. certification, and three (3) years of Law Enforcement Experience, and criminal investigation experience, who embodies strong communication skills, a commitment to mentoring and facilitating professional growth within the agency.

Detective Definition:
Perform a variety of routine law enforcement duties in support of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division. Investigates assigned criminal cases; assists with search warrant(s) and crime scene processing; conducts and compiles personal and professional background investigations for Sheriff’s Office applicants; reviews and processes applications for county issued firearms permits, and other investigative duties as assigned.

Establish partnerships and collaborate to effectively resolve or reduce problems, issues, conflicts, and mutual concerns relating to public safety; respond to and investigate other general service calls involving criminal complaints.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 
Receives general direction from Special Operations Supervisor or Command Staff.   
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS 
This classification is the specialty level within the Sheriff’s Office that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized law enforcement operations, with significant accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. 

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Provides administrative support for Investigations Section; responds to general inquiries from the public; assists other agencies in responding to citizen complaints and reports. 
• Investigates a variety of crimes; including but not limited to fraud, forgery, sexual assaults, missing persons and runaways, computer and criminal complaints; issues summons and court orders.
• Communicates with reporting parties, victims and offenders as necessary; addresses violations, conducts follow up visits to ensure compliance with prior violations.
• Prepares search warrants and assists investigators in crime scene searches, retrieves and preserves evidence for use in court proceedings; provides testimony in court as necessary in support of actions taken and chain of custody of evidence. 
• Enters, modifies, updates and retrieves data on a variety of databases regarding stolen and recovered property, driver’s licenses, vehicle registration information and warrants; receives, interprets and forwards information to the appropriate court and/or certified law enforcement personnel.
• Compiles information and prepares a variety of written reports, memos and correspondence related to law enforcement activities. 
• Attends training consistent with assigned duties, including obtaining and maintaining certifications necessary for the assigned role and responsibilities. 
• Develops and maintains relationships with a variety of community organizations and law enforcement agencies. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.   A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
 
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency.
• P.O.S.T. approved advanced investigation

Experience:

• Three (3) years of sworn law enforcement experience.
• Criminal investigation experience
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible law enforcement-related experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid Colorado driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

Certifications:

• Possession of an appropriate Basic Certificate issued by the Colorado State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.), or an equivalent State examination that may be transferable to Colorado, to be maintained throughout employment.   

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation (including, but not limited to medical and psychological evaluations) and fingerprint. Ability to qualify for deputization by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, work overtime as necessary, and travel within and outside of the County. Ability to complete additional training as required, including the Lake County Sheriff's Office firearms orientation and range training, and requalify to carry all duty firearms on a regular basis. Ability to maintain peace officer qualifications as required by the State of Colorado.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of investigation and interrogation. 
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Modern principles, practices, procedures, and terminology used in law enforcement and crime prevention, including patrol, courthouse operations and security, criminal investigation, pursuit and apprehension of suspects, arrest and custody, and related peace officer and detective duties.  
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the identification, marking, preservation, and presentation of evidence.  
• Functions, authorities, and organization of other departments and agencies involved in identification, investigation, and prosecution of criminal cases.  
• Operation and maintenance of equipment used in law enforcement. 
• Court procedures and operations.  
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, business letter writing and report preparation techniques.   
• Basic mathematical principles.  
• Techniques of effective oral and written communication. 
• County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols pertaining to law enforcement work.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions. 
• Organize, implement, and direct day-to-day law enforcement operations, programs, and activities; perform the most complex law enforcement activities. 
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Assess difficult or emergency circumstances and develop, implement, and direct appropriate response strategies.  
• Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents.  
• Work under stressful or dangerous conditions, often involving considerable personal risk or risk to others.  
• Safely use and care for firearms.  
• Keep abreast of trends, technology, and requirements in law enforcement supervision and operations.
• Plan and make effective presentations to authoritative groups such as courts; testify in court.  
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Review and prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials related to law enforcement operations.
• Review and prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, records, and other correspondence and documents. 
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Mobility to work primarily in a patrol and field environment and to maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards; to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; to frequently walk, run, stand on uneven terrain, and climb and descend structures to access crime scenes and to identify problems or hazards; to frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work; and to work in a secondary office or station environment, and use standard office equipment, including a computer; strength and stamina to apprehend, lift, carry, push, and pull victims, suspects and equipment as determined within P.O.S.T physical standards, which may include the use of proper equipment.; vision and manual dexterity to operate vehicles including emergency response vehicles in all conditions, often at a high rate of speed in emergency situations; to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen; finger and manual dexterity is needed to operate police services equipment and firearms, and to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard; hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. Positions also work in a secondary office or station environment, and use standard office equipment, including a computer. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The principal duties of this class are performed in a field environment with exposure to incarcerated person, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases. Outdoor conditions with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, moving vehicles, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  Also includes an office or station environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. 

Hazard Notice
Employee may be exposed to and be required to work with escalated individuals.

Applicant Notice
Lake County Government posts all official employment opportunities on its careers page linked here. Positions may also appear on external job boards such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter through our applicant tracking system.

Please be aware that unauthorized third parties may repost or imitate job listings. The most accurate and up-to-date information will always be available on our official website. Applicants are recommended to apply directly through our career page and should not provide personal information outside of the official application process.
 

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.