Durango’s $26.40 Police Trainee Job Has an October 1 Date for January Academy Applicants

The City of Durango advertises $26.40 an hour for its full-time police officer trainee job, and candidates seeking consideration for the January 2027 Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy must apply by October 1, 2026. The city’s job posting remains open continuously, but that does not extend the application date for the January cohort.

The posting dates to May 18; October 1 is its cohort-specific date, not a newly announced opening. Durango says it needs time for hiring and background checks before the academy. It does not give a cutoff hour for applications submitted on October 1.

What the paid route involves

Durango describes a 40-hour-a-week trainee job that includes academy attendance and pursuing Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training certification. Pueblo Community College locates the Southwest Regional Law Enforcement Academy in Mancos.

Applicants must be at least 21, have a high-school diploma or equivalent and a Colorado driver’s license or the ability to obtain one, meet certification requirements, legally possess a firearm and pass pre-employment screening. Durango’s class specification says hired trainees sign an agreement with the city and may be promoted to probationary police officer after successfully completing training. Promotion is not automatic.

The job posting does not specify how many trainee openings are available or whether the city pays academy tuition and fees. Candidates should ask about those costs and the required agreement. For January consideration, the immediate step is to use the city’s application page by October 1.