Police Officer (DCJS Certified Lateral)

Police Officer I

The Police Officer I perform intermediate protective service work investigating criminal activity and enforcing laws to ensure safety of public, collecting evidence, testifying in court, preparing and maintaining financial records and reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Police Sergeant.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• On an assigned shift, operates a patrol vehicle or walks to observe for violations of traffic laws, suspicious activities, or persons, and disturbances of law and order.
• Responds to radio dispatches and 9-1-1 calls; answers calls and complaints.
• Conducts traffic stops and enforcement; monitors and checks public and private property for signs of criminal or hazardous activity; analyzes traffic and community problems.
• Conducts criminal investigations including traffic crashes; provides follow-up on cases; writes and serves warrants; collects and processes evidence; conducts interviews.
• Prepares for court; testifies as required.
• Performs administrative duties including preparing detailed reports on activities and assignments; communicates via emails as needed.
• Engages in community policing; contacts shop owners; builds and maintains community relations.
• Participates in a variety of in-service and special training programs; maintains certifications including weapons qualifications.
• Executes other job duties as necessary.

Required:

• Possession of Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Basic Law Enforcement Training certification upon hire.
• High School diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Undergo a physical examination, subsequent to a conditional offer of employment.
• Polygraph Examination
• Valid driver's license, to include no current or previous revocations of suspension of license within previous 60 months due to a moving violation

Special Requirements:

• Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)/National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Training
• Obtain CPR and First Aid Certification within one year of hire.
• Obtain Police Traffic Laser/RADAR Training within two years of hire.
• May require possession of, or ability to obtain, specific licenses and/or certifications depending on departmental assignment.
• Must meet and maintain all training and education requirements for position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Some knowledge of police methods, practices and procedures; thorough knowledge of the geography of the Town and location of important buildings; some knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Police Department; skill in using firearms and operating a motor vehicle; ability to communicate ideas effectively in both oral and written formats; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear reports; ability to deal courteously, but firmly with the public; ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances; ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with associates, court personnel, medical personnel, and the general public.

This work requires the occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to vibration and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

The Town of Purcellville offers a competitive benefits package to employees including enrollment into the Virginia Retirement System, excellent healthcare insurance, leave and other fringe benefits.

Full-time employees are automatically enrolled in benefits under the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). VRS provides pension benefits as well as basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits. Additionally, employees are eligible to purchase optional life insurance for themselves as well as for their eligible dependents.

Membership is a condition of employment for eligible employees. All VRS-eligible employees are required to contribute 5% of their salary to the Virginia Retirement System through payroll deduction. This contribution will be made automatically on a pre-tax salary reduction basis; exempt from state and federal tax withholding.

Retirement benefits are determined by age at retirement, average final compensation, years of service, type of retirement, and position classification.

Service Credit: Employees may purchase up to 48 months each of military, federal civil service, or other governmental service at the normal cost rate of current annual creditable compensation. Employees have 12 months to enter into a contract agreement to purchase prior service.

Group Term Basic Life Insurance: Eligible employees are automatically covered for life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage equal to two times the annual salary each. This coverage is provided at no cost.

Optional Group Term Life Insurance: Eligible employees also may purchase optional group term life and AD&D coverage. Coverage is available in increments of one times the annual salary, up to a maximum of eight times the annual salary. Coverage is also available for eligible dependents.

Health Benefits (Medical/Dental/Vision): All full-time employees, and their eligible dependents, are eligible for enrollment in the Town's health, vision and dental service plan (Key Advantage 250). The cost to provide this benefit for employees and their eligible dependents is currently shared by the employee (15%) and Town (85%).

Health Insurance Opt-Out Program: Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the Town's Health Insurance Opt-Out Program. Eligible employees will receive $83.33 bi-weekly if waiving health insurance coverage for the plan year. This taxable payment will be included in your bi-weekly paycheck. Proof of other health insurance coverage is required.

Employee Assistance Program: Provides free and confidential assistance as related to problems or issues that are affecting the employee personally or at work. EAP services include assessment and referral to appropriate resources, and are available to the employee and his/her immediate family.

Deferred Compensation (457b): The Town's 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan allows an employee to defer up to the annual IRS limit; amounts deferred are not subject to federal and state income taxes. The minimum deferral amount is $20 per pay period and the Town matches $20 per pay period.

Leave Benefits:

• Vacation Leave: Annual leave is accrued incrementally per pay period beginning upon hire and based on years of service.
• Sick Leave: Full-time employees will accrue 3.69 hours per pay period and can accumulate up to 200 days maximum.
• Personal Leave: Full-time employees will receive 16 hours of personal leave per year, upon hire, and at the start of each fiscal year to use at their discretion.
• Holiday Leave: The Town observes the Commonwealth of Virginia's holiday schedule and provides all full-time employees with approximately 14.5 paid holidays each calendar year.
• Parental Leave: Paid leave for qualifying absences such as for birth/adoption.
• Bereavement Leave: All eligible employees shall be granted up to five (5) consecutive work days of leave with pay for a death occurring in the employee's immediate family. For extended family members, three (3) work days of leave with pay will be granted. Any employee who suffers a death to a friend or acquaintance will be given 4 hours of funeral leave to attend the service.