Patrol Officer

Job Title

Protects county residents and property; enforces laws; and performs patrol and emergency response functions.

Job Description

Patrols the county with emphasis on traffic safety, assisting public (stranded motorists, directions), answering complaints, safeguarding property, and enforcing laws and ordinances. Arrests and books violators and completes paperwork and necessary reports associated with arrests and offenses. Responds to emergency calls and routine complaints. Investigates traffic accidents, civil disturbances, and crimes against persons and property. Assists federal, state, local law enforcement officials with investigations and emergencies and assists or rescues individuals in need of aid. Conducts searches of buildings, vehicles, outdoor areas, persons, and other objects to detect potential weapons, contraband, evidence, hazards, stolen property, or to find lost persons or objects for the purpose of seizing, investigating, and/or rescuing. Executes warrants and serves subpoenas and civil papers. Controls the scene of a traffic accident, takes reports, and directs traffic. Oversees periodic vehicle maintenance and calculates monthly vehicle fuel logs. Testifies in court as required. Performs animal and varmint control and removes/relocates livestock from roads. Transports mental patients and guards prisoners at hospitals. Transports prisoners to and from court, hospitals, funerals, or correctional facilities as required and guards prisoners when at trial. Guards election boxes at voting polls. Assists with dispatching and with other divisions, sections, or personnel as needed or directed. Promotes good public relations by informing citizens of police activities and crime prevention. May perform special assignments when required. May conduct and coordinate DARE program, including meeting with school officials, ordering necessary supplies, preparing lesson plans, instructing classes, planning fund raisers, and attending training, if DARE certified. May investigate dog bite and rabies cases, if certified as an Animal Control Officer and with appropriate vaccinations. May perform extradition of criminals to/from other counties and states. Investigates dog bites and rabies cases. Act as official escorts, such as when leading funeral processions or emergency situation. Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries. Relate to and work effectively with people of diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds. Enforces penal code, traffic code, and family code laws. Regular and timely attendance is required. Must possess the physical and/or mental abilities required to perform the essential functions of the job. Shall abide by all Midland County Polices and City, County Ordinances, State and Federal Laws. Performs any assignment issued by chain of command and/or Sheriff.

Qualifications, Education, and/or Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Basic certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).

Knowledge, Skills and/or Ability

Knowledge of criminal and civil law; investigation and crime prevention methods; and identification records processes and procedures. Skills/ability to safely operate vehicles, firearms, and specialized equipment; physically restrain individuals; read and write reports, letters, and memos; operate a computer and/or typewriter; apply criminal investigative techniques; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, the District and County Attorneys' offices, other Official employees, and the general public; demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; maintain accurate records; and maintain appropriate necessary certifications, Texas driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, and good driving record. Physical demands include sitting, using hands to finger, handle, or feel; reaching with hands and arms; bending and kneeling; talking and hearing. The employee frequently stands and walks. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds, and occasionally must lift and/or move objects weighing 100 pounds or more. The employee may occasionally be called upon to perform acts of intense physical exertion during emergency situations. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment is usually moderate with a noise level.