Police Officer (Lateral)

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Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of laws, codes, and ordinances; patrols areas of the City and conducts surveillance; performs investigative work; controls traffic flow and enforces traffic regulations; participates in and provides support and assistance to special department crime prevention and enforcement programs; responds to various emergencies and calls for service; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; serves in specialized departmental roles as assigned; provides information and assistance to the public; and performs related work as required.

Supervision Received and Exercised Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Class Characteristics This journey level classification is responsible for independently performing sworn law enforcement duties in support of the Police Department and public safety. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received. Filing period may close at any time. Lateral Officer Signing Bonus $12,500: $2,500 at first pay period upon hire. $3,500 paid upon successful completion of Field Training and $6,500 paid upon successful completion of probationary period (12 months).

This is a lateral entry opportunity; applicants must have Basic P.O.S.T. certificate or be eligible for certification at the time the application is submitted. Must be currently employed as a full-time Police Officer. Please refer to the qualification guidelines below for additional details.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public.
• Patrols an area of the City to observe and address suspicious or potential criminal activity; responds to emergency calls for service, including, but not limited to, disturbances, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, deaths, and other incidents to protect public safety, life, and property; resolves problems and diffuses situations; enforces state and local laws, ordinances, and codes.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers against unlawful practices; issues citations and makes arrests as necessary; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident, incident, and emergency situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility; searches, fingerprints, photographs, and books prisoners.
• Prepares reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed; prepares and maintains other related reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Secures crime scenes and gathers and preserves evidence; interviews suspects, victims, complainants, and witnesses; documents interviews; interrogates suspects; coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults.
• Conducts traffic studies and surveys and investigates traffic collisions; obtains accident statements and examines scene conditions; prepares written documentation of the scene and witness accounts; clears scene of obstructions and wreckage; reports traffic hazards; conducts and investigates accidents involving serious injury and/or fatality.
• Provides emergency medical assistance to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical attention or advanced medical support, as necessary.
• Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy; cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.
• Assists in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required; schedules and implements crime prevention and educational programs.
• Retrieves and requests information involving arrests and subpoenas; files complaints and performs other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints; serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Provides outreach to homeless individuals; observes individuals for potential physical or behavioral health issues; conducts welfare checks.
• Prepares cases for trial; testifies and presents evidence in court; coordinates activities of pre-trial investigation and preparation for the District Attorney's Office.
• Attends and participates in meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in law enforcement.
• Carries out special assignments related to departmental operations or law enforcement activities as necessary; maintains and ensures the safe working condition of assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment.
• Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualification Guidelines

Knowledge of:

• Operations and services of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement department, including scope of authority.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of criminal law enforcement including patrol, investigations, interrogation, crime prevention, and special operations functions.
• Criminal law, case law, and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension and arrest of suspects committing misdemeanors and felonies.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Operational characteristics of vehicles and equipment used in law enforcement.
• Methods and techniques of interviewing and eliciting information from victims and witnesses.
• Search warrants and the procedure for writing and serving warrants.
• Traffic control, enforcement, collision investigation, and education methods.
• Police records, communications, property, jails, and custody system operations.
• Procedures in handling warrants, filing complaints, court appearances, and testifying.
• Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
• Criminal court system processes and regulations.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Safety practices, equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons, and self-defense tactics.
• Methods and techniques of preparing police reports and related documentation.
• Techniques of First Aid and CPR.
• Principles and procedures of recordkeeping.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform law enforcement duties within an assigned program area to ensure the protection and safety of citizens and property.
• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places; remember accounts given by witnesses.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Identify crime suspects; interpret and apply the law to field situations; observe while conducting surveillance; and problem solve crime situations.
• Use and care for firearms.
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Learn, understand, interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Conduct effective interviews with victims and witnesses; interrogate suspects; summarize and document interviews and interrogations.
• Conduct effective vehicle collision investigations and prepare associated documentation.
• Pursue, apprehend, and subdue suspects in accordance with mandated procedures.
• Process crime scenes and maintain chain of custody of evidence.
• Prepare clear and effective reports, correspondence, and other written material.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations; properly administer First Aid and CPR.
• Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.