Police Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Purpose

Under the general supervision of a Sergeant or other designated supervisor, the Police Officer performs sworn law enforcement and crime prevention duties to protect life and property, preserve the peace, enforce federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, and provide professional public safety services to the community. The Police Officer responds to calls for service, conducts proactive patrols, investigates criminal and traffic-related incidents, enforces traffic laws, prepares reports, and develops positive relationships with the public through community-oriented policing. This position exercises sound judgment and discretion in carrying out assigned duties while maintaining compliance with departmental policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Essential Functions

• Performs routine and proactive patrol of assigned areas by vehicle, bicycle, or on foot to deter crime, protect life and property, preserve the peace, and enforce federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Responds to calls for service, emergencies, criminal incidents, domestic disturbances, traffic crashes, alarms, and other public safety situations.
• Enforces federal, state, and local laws and ordinances through observation, investigation, citation issuance, arrest, and other appropriate enforcement actions.
• Conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations; interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects; gathers, preserves, photographs, and documents evidence; processes crime scenes; and prepares cases for prosecution.
• Investigates traffic crashes and enforces traffic laws, including directing traffic during accidents, emergencies, special events, and other situations requiring traffic control.
• Executes warrants and other legal processes in accordance with applicable laws and departmental procedures.
• Operates department-issued vehicles, communications equipment, firearms, less-lethal weapons, and other law enforcement equipment safely and effectively.
• Maintains proficiency and qualification with department-issued firearms, defensive tactics, and other required equipment.
• Prepares accurate, complete, and timely reports, citations, affidavits, and other required documentation.
• Appears in municipal, county, state, and federal courts to present testimony and evidence.
• Provides emergency medical assistance, first aid, and lifesaving measures within the scope of training until relieved by emergency medical personnel.
• Establishes and maintains positive relationships with residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations through community-oriented policing and crime prevention efforts.
• Maintains confidentiality of criminal justice information and other sensitive information.
• Complies with departmental policies, procedures, training requirements, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Secondary Functions

• Conducts security checks of businesses, public facilities, parks, and other properties during patrol activities.
• Responds to after-hours callouts, natural disasters, special events, mutual aid requests, and critical incidents.
• Serves as a Field Training Officer (FTO), instructor, or mentor when assigned.
• Assists with specialized assignments, task forces, community policing initiatives, crime prevention programs, or public education presentations.
• Coordinates operations and investigations with other law enforcement agencies and public safety partners.
• Assists with the maintenance, inspection, inventory, and readiness of department-issued equipment, vehicles, and facilities.
• Attends required training programs, professional development courses, staff meetings, and departmental briefings.
• Maintains required certifications, licenses, and continuing education necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Participates in departmental committees, special projects, and accreditation or policy initiatives as assigned.
• Assists with search and rescue operations, disaster response, and other emergency management activities as assigned.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Capital and/or Fiscal Responsibility

• Responsible for the proper use, care, security, and accountability of City-issued equipment, vehicles, firearms, less-lethal weapons, body-worn cameras, radios, and other departmental resources.
• Reports damaged, malfunctioning, lost, or depleted equipment, supplies, and vehicles through the appropriate chain of command.
• Responsible for safeguarding evidence, department property, and City assets in accordance with departmental policies and applicable laws.
• Responsible for adhering to all City of Lucas purchasing policies and procedures when authorized to make purchases or expenditures.

Credentials (minimum preferred)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• • Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, procedures, and equipment.
  • Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and departmental policies, including the Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Transportation Code, and City ordinances.
  • Knowledge of patrol operations, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, crime scene management, evidence collection, and crime prevention techniques.
  • Knowledge of constitutional rights, arrest procedures, search and seizure laws, and the proper use of force.
  • Knowledge of police communications procedures and report preparation.
  • Ability to analyze situations quickly, exercise sound judgment, and take appropriate action during routine and emergency conditions.
  • Ability to gather, analyze, evaluate, and apply facts and evidence to make sound decisions.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and grammatically correct reports and other records.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, outside agencies, and the public.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive information.
  • Ability to use, care for, and qualify with department-issued firearms, defensive equipment, and other law enforcement tools.
  • Ability to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and ethical conduct.
  • Ability to meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Formal Education/Certification/Licenses

• • High school diploma or GED required; Associate degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field preferred.
  • Must possess and maintain a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Peace Officer License in good standing prior to appointment.
  • Prior law enforcement, military, or related public safety experience preferred.
  • Must successfully complete all required field training and probationary requirements established by the Department.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid Texas Class "C" driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
  • An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered by the City.

Tools and Equipment Used

Police vehicles equipped with emergency warning devices; police radios; body-worn cameras; in-car camera systems; mobile data terminals (MDTs); radar and traffic enforcement equipment; firearms, less-lethal weapons, ammunition, and related duty gear; handcuffs and other restraint devices; evidence collection and crime scene equipment; personal protective equipment (PPE); first aid and emergency medical equipment; computers, records management systems (RMS), computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, telephones, and standard office equipment; and other tools, equipment, and technology necessary to perform law enforcement, investigative, traffic enforcement, community policing, and emergency response duties.

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.
Although administrative duties are periodically performed in an office environment, the Police Officer is primarily engaged in physically demanding law enforcement duties in the field. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; and occasionally use the senses of taste and smell in the performance of duties. The position frequently requires standing, walking, and sitting, and occasionally requires running, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and responding to emergency situations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds and may be required to physically restrain individuals or assist in the rescue or evacuation of injured persons. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in both office and field environments. Administrative duties are generally performed in a standard office setting, while law enforcement responsibilities require frequent field work in varying weather conditions and environments. Field operations may involve exposure to moving vehicles and machinery, elevated or uneven surfaces, wet or humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, hazardous substances, extreme temperatures, electrical hazards, and vibration. The position also involves exposure to hazardous conditions associated with law enforcement, including dangerous individuals, firearms and other weapons, violent confrontations, traffic hazards, communicable diseases, bodily fluids, and other potentially stressful or high-risk situations. The noise level is generally quiet to moderate in office settings and moderate to loud during field operations. This position requires rotating shifts, irregular hours, and work during evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency callouts, and natural disasters as needed to meet operational requirements.

Selection Guidelines

Selection may include formal application, evaluation of education and experience, oral interview, background investigation, reference checks, psychological evaluation, drug screening, and other job-related assessments as deemed necessary.