Police Officer

Police Officer

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and the protection of life and property. An incumbent in this position may be designated "Senior Police Officer."

Major Duties

• Patrols the city to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations.
• Responds to calls for service, including domestic disputes, assaults, burglaries, traffic accidents, lost or missing persons searches, public service duties, stranded motorists, and others.
• Conducts preliminary investigations into traffic accidents and other incidents, including interviewing victims, complainants and witnesses, gathering information and evidence, and securing crime scenes.
• Apprehends, arrests, and processes offenders, including fugitives, subpoenas witnesses.
• Provides assistance and backup support to other officers and emergency service providers as necessary.
• Assists motorists.
• Provides traffic direction as needed for events such as parades, funerals, events, and school crossings.
• Testifies in judicial proceedings as necessary.
• Completes all required reports and forms, including accident and incident reports.
• Inspects and maintains assigned patrol car, uniform, and equipment.
• Performs specialized duties as assigned, including the duties of a Field Training Officer, K-9 Officer, Drug Task Force Officer, Crime Prevention Officer, Court Services Officer, etc.
• Performs related duties.

Knowledge Required by the Position

• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, criminal and traffic codes, search and seizure laws, town ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of traffic accident investigation techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of the geography and streets of the city.
• Knowledge of the court system and judicial procedures.
• Skill in the use of a computer.
• Skill in operating police vehicles, firearms, and emergency equipment.
• Skill in operating radios and communications equipment.
• Skill in operating radar equipment.
• Skill in restraining persons without causing physical harm.
• Skills in oral and written communication

Supervisory Controls

• The Police Sergeant assigns work in terms of general instructions. Work is reviewed for compliance with instructions and established procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines

• Guidelines include state and federal laws, traffic laws, city ordinances, court rulings, constitutional guidelines, training manuals, and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work

• The work consists of related law enforcement duties. The varied nature of calls and the potential for emergencies contribute to the complexity of the work.
• The purpose of this position is to protect life and property and enforce federal, state, and local laws. Successful performance contributes to the detection and deterrence of crime and to the protection of life and property.

Contacts

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, other emergency service providers, court system personnel, attorneys, judges, medical personnel, law enforcement officers from other agencies, and the general public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, interview persons, and resolve problems.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• The work is typically performed while sitting, standing, walking, running, bending, crouching or stooping. The employee must occasionally lift light or heavy objects, use equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguish between shades of color, and use the physical force necessary to arrest and restrain persons.
• The work is performed indoors, in a vehicle, and outdoors. The employee may be exposed to inclement weather, infectious diseases, and life-threatening situations. The work requires the use of protective clothing and devices.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

• None

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Current certification through the Police Standards and Training Council for the State of Georgia or ability to obtain POST certification.

Disqualifiers

• Any felony conviction
  • First offender cases with completed disposition to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
  • Any federal, state, or local circumstance or court order that prohibits legal possession of a firearm
  • Pending traffic citations or misdemeanor charges
    • Any traffic tickets that have yet to be paid, or disposed of in court, may not necessarily disqualify someone; but applicant processing cannot continue until the final disposition is received.
• Any pattern of instances or behavior indicating moral turpitude or poor character
  • Examples include gambling addictions, sex offense allegations, continuous domestic violence allegations
  • Employment history issues considered on a case-by-case basis
• Deliberate omissions or falsehoods during the hiring process
• Any dishonorable discharge from the branches of the Armed Forces will not be considered.
  • Entry-Level-Separations (ELS), and discharge types outside of an Honorable Discharge will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Misdemeanor Convictions
  • Applicants with Family Violence Convictions will not be considered.
  • Applicants with Sexual Offense Convictions will not be considered.
• Traffic History
  • Applicants who have accumulated eighteen (18) or more points on their driver's license in the last three (3) years will not be considered.
  • Applicants with suspended or revoked licenses will not be considered.
  • Applicants convicted of DUI within the last five (5) years will not be considered.
• Drug Use
  • Applicants who have consumed, purchased, possessed, or transported marijuana within the last one (1) year period from the time of application will not be considered.
  • Applicants who have consumed, purchased, possessed, or transported any non-pharmaceutical controlled substance (excluding marijuana or THC) in the last five (5) years will not be considered.
  • Applicants with an established pattern of steroid use will not be considered.
  • Applicants with an established pattern or admission of pharmaceutical prescription abuse will not be considered.
• Tattoos
  • Applicants with tattoos on their face, hands, fingers, or neck will not be considered.
  • Applicants with tattoos that display criminal gang affiliation, hate or extremist group affiliation, lewd or obscene acts or imagery, or nudity will not be considered.
• Civil Disqualifiers
  • Any currently outstanding processes of civil litigation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Any disposed of bankruptcies, judgments, or court-ordered financial matters will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Other Disqualifiers
  • Visual ability cannot be less than 20/100 in each eye uncorrected, and must be corrected to 20/20 with glasses, contact lenses, or RK surgery.
• Miscellaneous
  • All relevant criminal record factors not explicitly listed will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with final hiring determination to be made by the Chief of Police or his/her designee. Such a review is not a guarantee of qualification or disqualification and