Police Officer

Police Officer

This work involves providing vital public safety services to the community by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing criminal and motor vehicle laws and ordinances and miscellaneous police services to the community. Duties are generally executed with considerable independence unless circumstances require direct supervisory assistance. Reports immediately to Police Sergeant.

A pre-employment medical examination, drug screening, background check, and polygraph will be conducted for candidates that are offered a job.

Essential job functions include :

• Works within a squad environment on rotating shifts responding to radio and computer dispatched routine and emergency calls for service, performs self-initiated routine patrols, provides traffic control and traffic law enforcement and investigates traffic crashes, investigates and arrests persons involved in misdemeanor or felony criminal activity and other unlawful activities, obtains and submits evidence, investigates unattended death of all natures, testifies in Depositions, Civil Court, Traffic and Criminal Court, performs other law enforcement / public safety duties as required or assigned.
• Works an assigned shift and patrols all areas of the City, independently applies sound judgment, Department policy and best professional practices while determining the proper course of action for difficult, complex or emergency situations.
• Maintains availability and operating knowledge radios, cellular telephones and Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) in order to respond as dispatched to routine or emergency calls for service as directed by the Communications center or Patrol Supervisor. In conjunction with service calls provided above, may also respond to calls regarding civil disturbances, evaluating persons that require involuntary admission due to mental or chemical impairment, missing persons, or incidents that may involve the use or anticipated use of Department issued firearms or other Department authorized weapons.
• Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws, ordinances and Department policies; monitors the operation of public places for compliance with laws and ordinances.
• Patrols all public places, commercial businesses open to the public and neighborhoods to preserve the peace and enforce laws. Conducts foot patrol to verify that business establishments are secure (after hours) and performs residential property checks as requested or assigned. May be assigned (with additional training) to Boat patrol or use of Department All-Terrain Vehicle. May be required to provide basic first aid to injured persons including CPR or use of Automatic Emergency Defibrillator (AED).
• Works overtime including patrol duties, special events, coverage for sick and vacation leave. May be subject to call back.
• Preserves crime scenes; interviews victims, suspects, witnesses and drivers. Locates and preserves evidence, including latent impressions and documenting relevant aspects of the investigation with photographs and / or video. Conducts follow-up of active investigations. After establishing probable cause, positively identifies suspects, locates and arrests or cites offenders. Summons medical or additional law enforcement personnel when necessary. Investigates and documents vehicular traffic crash scenes using both manual and computer-generated reports and diagrams.
• Conducts criminal investigations of crimes reported during the assigned shift or those previously reported and additional investigation is required.
• Prepares a variety of official Departmental incident and investigative reports and other records documenting self-initiated or assigned activities or assignments.
• Practices community-oriented policing by assisting citizens with such matters as disabled vehicles, crime prevention, house watches, traffic safety issues, pet and bicycle registrations, etc.
• Transports prisoners to police station and to County Jail. Executes search warrants and serves injunctions for protection.
• Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchanges information with personnel in other law enforcement agencies as directed, and seeks counsel from Supervisors, Court Personnel, Victim Witness Services and the appropriate authority at the State Attorney's Office regarding criminal investigations and active cases, current case law.
• Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigative activities, provides mutual assistance to other law enforcement personnel during emergency or exigent situations and provides general information about Department services or activities as authorized.
• Maintains issued or assigned departmental equipment, supplies and facilities. Reports ineffective or inoperable equipment.
• Serves as a member of various employee committees.

These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required.

Minimum qualifications, licenses and certifications include :

Knowledge, skills, and abilities and environmental conditions include :

Essential physical skills include :

Environmental conditions include :