Certified Police Officer

Job Title

This position is responsible for participating in patrol operations in the enforcement of local, state, and federal law and in providing for the safety and security of the public.

Major Duties

1. Patrols assigned zones; responds to calls; investigates complaints; detect and apprehends violators; issues citations and makes arrests; serves warrants.
2. Responds to vehicle accidents and prepares reports; renders aid to injured persons; requests other assistance; directs traffic; investigates fatal incidents; draws diagrams.
3. Conducts preliminary investigations of crimes; investigates illegal drug activities; responds to citizen complaints; opens cases; gathers information; recruits and maintains informants; obtains and serves arrest and search warrants; traces and recovers stolen property; conducts interviews; arrests offenders; fingerprints and photographs offenders; conducts surveillance operations.
4. Responds to crime scenes; identifies, collects, marks, and preserves evidence; takes photographs; collects fingerprints.
5. Prepares case files and testifies in court.
6. Prepares required incident and case reports.
7. Present crime prevention and safety presentations to schools, community groups, and the general public.
8. Provides security for Municipal Court; transports inmates from jail to courthouse.
9. Participates and assists in the training of department personnel; serves as Field Training Officer.
10. Provides traffic direction and escorts for parades and other events.
11. Transports prisoners, witnesses, and others.
12. Assists stranded motorists.
13. Serves on special teams and task forces as assigned.
14. Performs minor maintenance and repair on assigned vehicles and equipment; inspects and tests equipment to ensure safety.
15. Performs related duties.

Knowledge Required By The Position

1. Knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices.
2. Knowledge of criminal investigation principles and practices.
3. Knowledge of crime scene processing and evidence collection principles and practices.
4. Knowledge of department training requirements.
5. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws.
6. Skill in the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws.
7. Skill in conducting criminal investigations.
8. Skill in the use of specialized law enforcement vehicles and equipment.
9. Skill in working with the public.
10. Skill in oral and written communication.

Supervisory Controls

The Police Sergeant assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines

Guidelines include the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, federal law, local ordinances, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope Of Work

• The work consists of related law enforcement duties. The need to respond to potentially dangerous and life-threatening situations contributes to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to perform uniform patrol functions in order to enforce the law and provide for the safety and security of the general public. Success in this position contributes to enforcement of the law and to the health and safety of the general public.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city personnel, court personnel, attorneys, business owners, bank employees, representatives of other law enforcement agencies, victims of crimes, witnesses, suspects, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to provide services, to give or exchange information, to motivate persons, or to resolve problems.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping, The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell.
• The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors, in inclement weather and at emergency scenes. The employee may be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases, irritating chemicals, and dangers associated with law enforcement and emergency response activities. Work requires the use of protective devices and other specialized law enforcement equipment.

Supervisory And Management Responsibility

None.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; and
• More than one of related experience required; or
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Possession of a valid state driver's license issued for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• POST Certification Basic.