Police Officer- CADET (Hiring Incentive)

Police Officer

Hiring incentive of 80 hours of front-loaded Paid Time Off (PTO) or the option to receive a cash equivalent payout.

The Police Officer is responsible for the enforcement of all Municipal, State and Federal laws. This is a public safety position that requires the working of unusual hours, rotating shifts and working under inclement weather conditions; patrols an assigned beat, protects life and property, prevents crime, maintains order, enforces laws, ordinances and constitutional mandates, investigates crimes, accidents and disturbances, directs traffic, prepares reports, makes arrests, testifies in court, serves warrants and subpoenas, cooperates with other law enforcement agencies and City departments, provides information and answers inquiries from the general public.

This is a Safety Sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing

Education, Training, Experience, Certifications, Licenses and Registrations

Education / higher education: High School Graduate or equivalent

Other Requirements: Must be able to successfully complete a written personal integrity test, FBI fingerprint/background investigation, psychological exam, medical and physical exams and testing, screening for illegal or non-prescribed controlled substances including anabolic steroids, and will undergo an Oral Board interview.

Education and/or experience preferences: Prior experience in law enforcement.

Driver's License requirement: Frequent Driver -- Regular Driver's License

Note -- For any driver, driving record must always meet City driving and insurability standards.

Required certifications, licenses or registrations: Certification through the NM Law Enforcement Academy for State certification as a law enforcement official.

Time given after hire/promotion to obtain certification or licenses: Must successfully complete Law Enforcement Academy.

Preferred certifications, licenses or registrations: Certification as a Law Enforcement Official in the State of NM or another state.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins. Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Skills: Must be able to type rapidly and accurately enough to successfully produce documents/spreadsheets, communicate via e-mail, or perform data entry as necessary to accomplish the essential functions of the position. Use of technology, equipment and software typically used in the office environment. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Talking to others to convey information effectively. Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Actively looking for ways to help people.

Abilities: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. The ability to see details at a distance. The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Interaction with Groups/Agencies/Entities: Interacts with other employees and the general public.

Essential Functions

• Patrol: Patrols an assigned area of the City in a radio-equipped vehicle to preserve law and order and enforcing Municipal, State and Federal laws and ordinances. Enforces traffic laws and ordinances by checking vehicle speed, lights and signals, traffic courtesy, and issuing warnings and/or citations when violations are observed. In the course of patrol, may determine alcohol or substance abuse testing is warranted. Patrols business and residential areas to discover and/or prevent the commission of crime. May also patrol on a motorcycle or bicycle.
• Response: Responds to calls and complaints involving road accidents, robberies, burglaries, assaults, fights, domestic disturbances, homicides, and other criminal activities and civil complaints. Secures crime scenes, identifies witnesses, conducts preliminary investigations and re-establishes law and order at the scene. Secures and investigates crime scenes to ensure that the collection, preservation and handling of physical evidence and property meets established professional and legal standards. Preserves and documents crime scene by processing the scene for fingerprints, photographs, video taping and/or sketching the crime scene. Interviews/interrogates victims, suspects, and witnesses to obtain and verify information pertinent to the investigation and resolution of a variety of criminal incidents. Responds to fire suppression and emergency medical calls. Performs response as needed to ensure that public safety services are provided efficiently, effectively, compassionately and timely.
• Administrative: Prepares reports to document incident, and facilitate the apprehension, prosecution and conviction of the perpetrator. Prepares reports, complaints, affidavits and other related technical/legal documents regarding the progress, findings and results of an investigative process. Appears in court to present evidence and sworn testimony on behalf of the City or State.
• Programs: May serve as a school resource officer, including developing, modifying and implementing educational programs. Maintains the safety and well-being of the students and staff, resolves conflicts, takes reports and generally promotes trust and security. May participate in the K-9 program and work with a trained drug finding dog. Grants and other programs for law enforcement may be funded and implemented.
• Emergency: Serves as needed for emergency response and recovery.