Police Officer III

Police Officer

Performs complex law enforcement duties in providing quality public safety services to the citizens of Reidsville; promoting good community relations. An employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties to provide protection and services to the citizens of the city, maintains regular patrols, responds to calls for services, investigates crimes that occur in the city, locates suspects in crimes and makes arrests. An employee works in partnership with the communities they serve to maintain law and order, protect members of the public and their property, prevent crime, and reduce the fear of crime. Work includes conducting investigation and follow-up investigation on scene and suspect; making arrests of offenders, patrolling the City during an assigned shift in a police car or on foot; testifying in court; and executing related assignments, providing public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations. The employee must exercise judgment, initiative, and calm control when performing duties and enforcing laws of the City of Reidsville and the state. Work involves frequent public contact, which requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness and is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from superior officers. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a Detective Lieutenant and is evaluated through observation, radio traffic, call status on computer, and employees and citizens feedback. This classification is considered non-exempt in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Enforces the city and state laws; protects and serves the public.
• Maintains regular patrol and responds to calls for Police services, calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Performs preliminary or detailed investigations of accidents or possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, gathering physical evidence and presents findings in court.
• Investigates all traffic crashes and the scene; determines if criminal act or statute violations were involved and conducts a report.
• Enforces traffic laws and places radar trailers in high violation areas.
• Issues citations or warnings to violators of motor vehicle ordinances
• Directs traffic flow and reroute traffic in case of emergencies; directs traffic for funerals and escorts money to the bank; transports subjects to the hospital.
• Monitors, notes, reports, and investigates suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area; investigates homicides and follows up investigations.
• Testifies in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
• Searches for suspects; interviews suspects.
• Performs bar inspections and compliance with law.
• Answers public questions concerning police services and provides preventative tips.
• Attends a variety of training sessions and courses to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Records facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and policies of the police department.
• Considerable knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
• Ability to perform techniques of interview and interrogation
• Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics.
• Skill in the criminal case preparation.
• Ability to manage a fatal traffic crash.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise written reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to enforce federal, state and municipal laws; work with the public in a courteous respectful manner.
• Ability to remain composed in stressful situations.
• Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper course of action to be taken.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens.

Physical Requirements

Work in this class is described as medium and frequently requires physical exertion to complete tasks. An employee must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, feeling, grasping, fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. An employee must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform extensive reading, use a computer terminal, complete visual inspection of small defects or parts, including the operation or inspection of machines, use measurement devises, and determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned. The employee is also required to have the visual acuity to be the operator of trucks, forklifts, cranes and other equipment. The employee is subject to hazards; includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving parts, electrical current, vibration, noise, oils, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to heat and chemicals. Working conditions include both inside and outside environmental conditions.