Have you ever considered becoming a Police Officer in Colorado (CO)? If you have, you may be wondering about the hiring process requirements. During the hiring process, you will likely be asked to take and pass a written exam that will determine your ability to become a police officer. The sort of exam that will be administered will be determined by the city in which you are applying. We will help you prepare for each test and will familiarize you with the types of questions you will likely be asked.
In the state of Colorado, police officers are also referred to as peace officers. This is important to keep in mind, as future Colorado police officers also have to be certified as a peace officer through the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (POST). In order to become POST-certified, candidates will need to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid. Additionally, candidates will be required to complete a basic training course approved by the state of Colorado. If you meet these requirements, you may be requested to take the POST Certification Exam. Successful completion of the POST exam may result in continuation through the hiring process. Candidates will then be asked to take a police officer written exam, followed by potential oral interviews and background checks. Those that make it through every step will likely be offered a tentative job offer for a police officer position.
One of the first hurdles that every future police officer will have to pass is the Colorado Police Officer Written Exam. It is important to note that each city will have their own requirements for the type of written exam that will be administered. Therefore, you should always check with your local police department to ensure that you are preparing for the right exam. The most common written exams administered by police departments in Colorado include the following tests:
The Aurora Police Department administers the Ergometrics Frontline Video Test as well as the Frontline Reading Test. The scores from both of these exams are combined to determine eligibility for the Aurora Police Department. The Frontline Video Test requires its candidates to be interactive. The test will assess each candidate’s ability for human interaction, situational judgment, unbiased enforcement, responses to provocation, handling authority, ethical values, and more. The Frontline Reading Test assesses each candidate’s ability to read and comprehend basic police documents, which could include incident reports.
The Denver Police Department administers two exams, including a written test created by the Fire and Police Selection Inc. (FPSI) and the Frontline National Video Test. The first test that will be administered will be the FPSI written exam, which is divided into two sections and has a completion time limit of 3 hours. Candidates will need a minimum score of 65 in order to be considered eligible for the next steps in the hiring process. The FPSI written exam includes the following two sections:
Following the written exam, candidates will be expected to immediately complete the Frontline National Video Test. This interactive exam will measure each candidate’s ability to respond to situations that they would likely encounter while working as a Colorado police officer. This test will ensure that future employees are able to respond to hostile situations, handle authority, effectively interact with the public, enforce laws unbiasedly, and maintain social maturity.
Future Colorado state troopers will be expected to take and pass the CWH Next Generation Entry-Level Law Enforcement Exam. This exam typically includes 130 to 170 questions and has a 3 hour and 15-minute time limit.
Colorado Police Officer Positions | Police Officer Exam |
Adams County Sheriff Exam | NPOST |
Arapahoe County Sheriff Exam | Frontline National Test |
Boulder County Sheriff Exam | NCJOSI |
Boulder Police Officer Exam | Frontline National Test |
Colorado Springs Police Officer Exam | NPST |
Colorado State Patrol Officer Exam | NCJOSI |
Englewood Police Officer Exam | Frontline National Test |
Erie Police Officer Exam | NPOST |
Ft. Collins Police Officer Exam | NCJOSI |
Greenly Police Officer Exam | Frontline National Test |
Longmont Police Officer Exam | NPOST |
Loveland Police Officer Exam | Frontline National Test |
Pueblo Police Officer Exam | NPST |
Sheridan Police Officer Exam | Frontline National Test |
Sterling Police Officer Exam | PO-EL by IPMA-HR |
Thornton Police Officer Exam | NCJOSI |
Timnath Police Officer Exam | Frontline National Test |
Westminster Police Officer Exam | LST |
Wheat Ridge Police Officer Exam | Frontline National Test |
Each police department in Colorado will have their own requirements for their future cadets. Because of this, it is important to not only know the requirements for the position, but also the requirements for the written exam. Most police departments will administer some form of written exam, and the results from these exams will determine your future. Some of the police officer exams will require you to read short passages and answer relevant questions, while others may ask you situational-based questions. You need to be aware off the question types and come up with a solid preparation plan. If you want to successfully pass these written exams, you need to take advantage of online study materials, specifically free sample questions and practice exams. The more you practice with practice exams, which include relevant example questions, the more familiar you will be with the testing material. It is important that you feel confident and ready on the testing day. If you don’t pass the written exam, you may be forced to wait several months before being allowed to retake it. Pass your Colorado Police Officer Written Exam the first time by utilizing study guides and practice exams.