• On behalf of the men and women of the Thornton Police Department, I want to thank you for your interest in our
department.
As you may have already read, our mission is to protect and serve our community. This is more than
just a slogan for us, it is our primary objective and reason for existing. We are here to help our citizens
and work together to improve our community.
It is my honor and privilege to serve as your police
chief. I am very proud of the men and women of the Thornton Police Department, both sworn and non-sworn. These
courageous, dynamic, hardworking individuals are here to assist you and are dedicated to providing professional
police services.
– Chief Randy Nelson
Police Officer Pay Progression: The City of Thornton has a step and merit pay plan in place for
Police Officers. Step increases are received on anniversary dates contingent upon successful performance and
availability of budget dollars. Merit pay may also be awarded on performance.
Paid Vacation/Vacation Accrual:
- 0 to 5 years of service, accumulate 8 hours per month,
96 hours annually
- 6 to 10 years of service, accumulate 10 hours per month, 120 hours annually
- 11
to 15 years of service, accumulate 12 hours per month, 144 hours annually
- 16 to 20 years of service, accumulate
14 hours per month, 168 hours annually
- Over 20 years of service, accumulate 16 hours per month, 192 hours
annually
Sick Leave: Each employee accrues sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month.
Holiday Pay: Each employee will receive 11 paid holidays per year.
Medical Insurance: The City of Thornton offers group health, dental, and vision benefits to
all regular full-time employees.
Retirement: Sworn officers hired on or after July 11, 2017 will make a pre-tax contribution to the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) Defined Benefit Plan of 9.5% of base pay in 2017 which will increase ½% per year through 2022 to 12%. This mandatory contribution is in lieu of social security. In addition, the City offers a Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) administered by ICMA-RC. The City will match one-half of an employee’s voluntary (pre-tax) contribution up to 1 percent.
Uniforms: Each Officer is completely outfitted upon appointment (excluding a firearm and footwear).
Each officer also receives a uniform allowance of $928 annually.
The Thornton Police Department In House Recruit Academy is an academy designed to train and certify recruits on Thornton-specific skills, tools and municipal codes. Using a foundation of CIT-focused strategies, our academy consists of range training, defensive tactics and intermediate tools, EVOC training to include PIT certification, and report writing training. After successfully completing the Recruit Academy, officers will attend an academy graduation where they will be sworn in by a district judge. Recruit Officers will then begin their phase training. Our FTO program has the option of acceleration for lateral officers based on performance. Recruit Officers will be assigned to three different Field Training Officers through their phase training which will expose them to a wide range of skills and abilities. After successfully completing Field Training, officers will begin their solo assignment on an assigned shift.
The Thornton Police Department is a progressive department whose defined core values of Leadership, Accountability, Teamwork, Safety and Tradition guide us towards our vision of being the standard of excellence in law enforcement. The City of Thornton is currently the sixth largest city in the State of Colorado. With only 55 percent of the City of Thornton land currently developed and as steady growth continues, it is projected that the City will double in size. This expected growth will provide an excellent opportunity for career advancement. With 243 currently authorized sworn police officer positions, and 76 non sworn positions, we are currently the fourth largest metro police department.
A key factor contributing to the success of the Thornton Police Department is our dedication in pursuing top candidates to join our team. We believe in hiring the best, recognizing that you will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. We value all members of our organization and create an environment that encourages teamwork, diversity, innovation and excellence.
The City of Thornton possesses a productive work culture where you will be encouraged to continually strive to develop and improve yourself personally and professionally. By joining our team you are choosing to be part of an exciting profession that delivers unparalleled job satisfaction.
Field Training Officer
SWAT Team
Crisis Negotiation Team
School Resource Officer
Traffic Unit
K-9 Officer
Impact Team
Range Instructor
Emergency Vehicle Operations Control (EVOC) Instructor
Defensive Tactics Instructor
Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)
High Density Housing Team
Honor Guard
Professional Standards Unit
Community Relations/Public Information Officer
Planning and Research
Training Unit
Property Unit
Persons Unit
Victim Services
Special Investigations Unit
Crime Scene Investigators
Property Evidence
North Metro Drug Task Force
A key factor contributing to the success of the Thornton
Police Department is our dedication in pursuing top candidates to join our team.
"I am very proud of the men and women I have had the opportunity to work with and honored to be a part of an organization that serves its community with integrity and professionalism."
"The City of Thornton is a great place to work and the citizens are very supportive and often, will approach me thanking me for my service. It’s an honor to serve such a supportive city."
"Growing up I always thought about being a teacher, a cosmetologist, an attorney, seems like everything but a police officer. One day I did a ride along, and I fell in love with it!"
"I knew the Thornton Police Department was the place for me immediately upon speaking with the recruit coordinator. Learning about the mission, vision and core values, I was sold."
