Patrol Officer

JOB SUMMARY

Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related law enforcement activities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
2. Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
3. Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.
4. Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.
5. Patrols City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, routinely check buildings and watches prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations’ and to otherwise serve and protect.
6. Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law enforcement action.
7. Interrogates suspects, witnesses and drivers. Preserves evidence. Arrests violators. Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summons ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles. Takes measurements and draws diagrams of scene.
8. Conducts follow up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victim, witnesses and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scene of crimes for clues. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders. Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
9. Prepares a variety of reports and records including offense, and incident reports, reports of investigation, field interrogation report, alcohol reports, influence reports, affidavits, bad check form, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc. Reports to be turned in to supervisor in a timely manner according to policy.
10. Undertakes community-oriented police work, and assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse awareness, traffic safety, etc.
11. Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits, obtaining evidence and compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.
12. Conducts patrol activities including directing traffic, investigation of reported or observed violations of law, and conducting patrol activities.
13. Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney, Municipal Court Judge, and County and District Attorneys regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
14. Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities.
15. Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities. Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application; review of education and experience; drug screening; written exam; physical agility test; oral interview; psychological examination; final selection and pre-employment medical examination. NOTE: Appointees will be subject to completion of a standard probationary period.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, baton, handcuffs, pager, first aid equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work includes sitting, talking, hearing, using hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools or controls and reaching with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste and smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry more than 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The City of Commerce is an “at will” employer. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

General:

• A) Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment;
• B) Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any State;
• C) Felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years are not allowed;
• D) U.S. citizen;
• E) Must be able to read and write the English language;
• F) Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits;
• G) Must have ability to meet Department’s physical standards.

Education and Experience:

• A) High school diploma;
• B) Completion of the basic law enforcement-training academy or equivalent.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A) Some knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment;
• B) Some skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below;
• C) Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors; Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; Ability to meet the special requirements listed below; Ability to learn the City’s geography.

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