Police Officer I

Job Summary Performs responsible general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property in the Town. An employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties in the patrol or investigations division or as a school resource officer (SRO). Work includes patrolling the Town during a shift in a police car, on foot, by bicycle, or other appropriate means, preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; investigating traffic accidents, helping victims, and performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; testifying in court; and executing related assignments. Responsibilities Patrol streets in a police car, on foot, or by bicycle; check doors and windows; examine premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detect unusual conditions; maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; report dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions. Respond to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, and other needs; determine the true nature of the situation and take appropriate legal or persuasive action. Investigate traffic accidents; issue traffic citations; direct traffic and participate in other emergency operations. Investigate crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, suspects, and victims, and gathering physical evidence; perform investigative tasks; arrest and process criminal suspects; maintain detailed case files; conduct follow‑up investigations, develop sources, and lead; maintain chain of custody of evidence; coordinate cases with the DA’s office; testify in court. Serve as School Resource Officer; establish trust and effective working relationships with school administration, faculty, staff, students, and parents; plan and execute effective traffic management; coordinate and participate in security and law enforcement for special school events; investigate crimes that occur on campus; provide personal counseling on law enforcement and behavioral issues as requested. Advise the public on laws and local ordinances; testify in court; execute search warrants; serve papers as needed. Regulate and direct vehicular traffic at busy times or when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require; maintain order at public gatherings. Perform funeral and bank escorts. Operate a two‑way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters. Prepare detailed records and reports of activities. Use a variety of software programs to prepare incident reports, perform research, check driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, and investigate outstanding warrants. Perform special projects as assigned by the department such as helping with background investigations of applicants, helping install or maintain security of technology, and helping coordinate in‑service training. Perform related duties as required. Qualifications Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and department policies, especially relating to arrest, search and seizure, and traffic control. Knowledge of the application of information technology to the work. Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment. Working knowledge of scientific criminal detection and identification methods. Skilled in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self‑defense and de‑escalation tactics. Skilled in collaborative conflict resolution. Ability to communicate clearly over radio and other technology. Ability to operate a computer terminal. Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations. Ability to present effective court testimony. Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports. Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective relations with the citizens, coworkers, other law enforcement agencies, and Town officials. Physical Requirements Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol. Education and Experience Graduation from high school and some law enforcement training or experience. Special Requirement Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina Driver’s license and have completed at least the minimum requirement established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Council for certified law enforcement officers, with possession of a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate. Ability to obtain required certifications. Additional Information The starting salary will be determined based on the selected candidate’s skills and qualifications. Recruitment Bonus Program (effective July 1, 2021) Lateral Bonus for NC Certified Officers $1,000 Military Bonus $1,000 (Honorable Discharge) Bilingual/Fluent in Foreign Language $1,000 (Spanish, Arabic and/or Asian Languages; testing shall occur to determine fluency) Education Bonuses (one per applicant; degree must be job related as approved by the Chief of Police in coordination with Human Resources; degree must be from an accredited college) Associate’s Degree $1,000 Bachelor’s Degree $2,000 Master’s Degree $2,500 If an applicant has a combination of any of the above criteria, they may receive no more than a total bonus of $5,500. Applicants must be BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Training) certified. Please download and complete the F‑3 form and the FVPD Supplemental Employment Application form before submitting the online application. Both documents must be completed and turned in with the online application to be considered for the Police Officer position. #J-18808-Ljbffr Town-of-Fuquay-Varina