Police Officer

Job Title

During an assigned tour of duty, on foot, or in an automobile, patrols a designated area to provide assistance and protection for persons, to safeguard property, to assure observance of the law, and to apprehend lawbreakers; does related work as required.

Examples of Duties

PREPARATION FOR WORK Attends roll call in proper uniform, listening to information and assignments given orally, and reads "squeal sheet," bulletin board, and/or logs of previous shifts, in order to establish presence, receive assignments, and to maintain continuity of service or action. Gathers together necessary equipment such as shotgun, flashlight, summons books, etc., in order to be prepared for duty. Inspects and maintains patrol car by visually checking and/or operating all equipment, by arranging for washing, waxing, and mechanical service, and by taking patrol car to service location in order to insure that vehicle is ready for patrol. Inventories and maintains equipment carried in patrol car such as first aid kit, oxygen supply, blanket, flares, etc., by utilizing an equipment check list, and by replacing missing or damaged items in order to assure readiness for patrol. Maintains issued uniform and weapons, by arranging for cleaning and reassembling firearms in order to assure their proper appearance and serviceability. FIGHT AND DOMESTIC DISPUTES Separates parties involved in a fight situation by physically intervening or escorting one party out of reach of the other, in order to prevent injury to any of the parties involved. Attempts to calm parties involved in a fight situation by asking each party to tell or discuss his or her side, in order to gain control of the situation. Discusses possible solutions with parties involved in a dispute by referring parties to appropriate services and explaining legal recourse, in order to fully resolve the dispute or prevent its recurrence. Arrests one or more parties in a fight situation, by using standard procedures, in order to restore peace. GENERAL PATROL Patrols throughout assigned area either on foot or in patrol car, looking for anything unusual in order to increase patrol visibility and prevent crime, or to discover crime in progress. Maintains radio communications with headquarters by operating walkie- talkie or patrol car radio in order to facilitate patrol activities. Assesses situations by utilizing information received from the dispatcher and by visually and orally inspecting premises and surrounding environment in order to make decisions concerning choice of actions and equipment. Issues summonses for various violations of municipal ordinances and state laws by writing the required information on summons and delivering a copy to the accused, in order to enforce the law. Facilitates the remediation of miscellaneous hazardous conditions (e.g., road obstructions, malfunctioning signals, etc.) by direct action or by notifying appropriate agencies, in order to restore safe conditions in the assigned sector. Maintains surveillance of persons suspected of unlawful activity and notifies supervisor, or detectives of important information, in order to facilitate the investigative procedure. Reports, or receives description(s) of suspect(s) at large by radio transmission in response to, or back-up for, criminal actions, in order to aid, or to enlist aid of fellow officers in the apprehension of suspects/perpetrators. Following legal guidelines, stops suspicious people, asks them to show identification, and to explain what they are doing in order to detect or prevent a criminal action. Attempts to disarm persons threatening others with a weapon by using calming conversation and obtaining assistance, in order to neutralize a dangerous situation. Secures the scene of a crime, or emergency by blocking off the area with barricades, ropes, etc., and by standing guard in order to prevent damage, loss, or injury. Records patrol activities by filling out log sheet after each call in order to account for actions, mileage, and time on a daily basis. SERVICE CALLS Promotes good will by talking casually with people, answering questions, referring citizens to other services, and learning of situations requiring police action in order to gain the confidence and support of community members. Controls crowd at emergency scene, following established procedures, in order to insure that emergency services can be performed quickly and safely. Assists in evacuation of buildings, or areas by orally ordering people to leave or by physically escorting them from the area in order to remove them from danger. Examines ill or injured persons, and administers the appropriate first aid treatment in order to prevent further injury or loss of life. Guards dignitaries by continuously positioning self in a manner to most effectively provide protection in order to assure safe passage through the area. Escorts businessmen to and/or from the bank, and frightened citizens to their destination by taking them in the patrol car, or by walking with them in order to provide protection. Gives assistance to operators of disabled vehicles by repairing vehicle, or obtaining necessary repair service, or by transporting driver and occupants to a place where shelter, or assistance can be obtained in order to alleviate a potentially dangerous situation. Returns lost children by interrogating passers-by, and responsible persons in the area where children were discovered in order to restore the children to the custody of their parents or guardians. Transports or escorts intoxicated persons home or to the hospital in order to assure their safety. Blocks suicide attempts by talking to persons threatening and/or attempting suicide, comforting and reassuring them in order to convince them to give up the suicide attempt. Assists citizens in gaining entry to their vehicles or home when a lockout has occurred, using improvised means in order to provide a necessary service. TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS Directs, or re-routes vehicle and pedestrian traffic at emergency scenes at high volume traffic locations, and at school crossings, using hand signals, flares, and/or barricades, in order to insure the safety of pedestrians and the smooth flow of traffic. Drives patrol car in an unspecified pattern and at varying speeds in order to increase police visibility and to discourage traffic violations and other such occurrences. Operates radar equipment in patrol unit in order to apprehend speeding law violators. Pursues detected traffic violators by using patrol vehicle and equipment as required in order to apprehend violators. Reports action after apprehending traffic violator to the dispatcher, using the radio in order to communicate the location, request back-up (if required), and to request motor vehicle and warrant check. Interviews or interrogates motor vehicle operators and visually inspects operator's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance card, in order to obtain information and admission or confession to violations of motor vehicle code. Evaluates statements, facts, and evidence to determine if a traffic ticket should be issued as a result of an operator's actions. Warns motor vehicle operators of observed traffic violations by orally informing them of their actions and explaining related provisions of the motor vehicle code, in order to discourage future violations. Issues traffic summons to observed traffic violators by writing the required information on the summons, giving the violator his copy, and explaining the violation and procedure for compliance, in order to enforce traffic regulations. Observes behavior and administers appropriate test(s) to suspected violators in order to determine whether they are under the influence of drugs, narcotics, or alcohol. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS Summons ambulance, wrecker, or other emergency equipment needed at an accident scene in order to provide the necessary services as quickly as possible. Protects accident scene from disturbance by appropriately positioning police car and by lighting and placing flares at strategic locations in order to divert traffic and to prevent further destruction, or removal of evidence. Removes (or assists in removing) dead or injured from wrecked and/or overturned vehicles by manually lifting them. Transports motor vehicle accident victims to the hospital when no other emergency vehicle is available in order to minimize time lost in receiving necessary medical treatment. Identifies, protects, and documents any short-lived evidence found at the accident scene, using approved departmental procedures in order to prevent evidence from being overlooked or destroyed. Inspects and/or operates devices (lights, brakes, steering, tires, etc.), of vehicles involved in accidents to determine if their operating condition contributed to the cause of the accident. At the scene of a motor vehicle accident, interviews operators, occupants, and witnesses, using simple interviewing techniques and writing notes of important information in order to help determine how, when, and why the accident occurred. Explains procedures that motor vehicle operators should follow concerning insurance claims and filing accident forms. Evaluates statements, facts, and evidence gathered at a motor vehicle accident scene in order to determine if a summons should be issued. Measures the distance from the accident vehicles and markings made by the vehicles to fixed points (mile post markers, nearest intersection, city limits, etc.), using a tape measure, or measuring wheel in order to determine the exact location, and possible cause of the accident. Sketches a rough diagram of the accident scene, showing movement of vehicles and pedestrians before and after impact and location of physical evidence in order to record this information for future investigation. Completes accident report forms by printing or typing data gained from accident investigation (including a short narrative and a diagram of the accident) in order to officially record the results of the investigation and to provide information to all parties involved. Transports blood or urine samples of motor vehicle operators to police labs in cases of suspicious auto accidents in order to obtain evidence as to whether the operator was driving under the influence of drugs or narcotics. INVESTIGATIONS Locates and interrogates available witnesses after an incident by talking with people in the area in order to obtain information for further investigation. Make notes of activities and facts of initial investigations in order to record information for future reference. Collects and labels evidence taken from the crime scene, using approved departmental procedures, in order to preserve evidence. Relates suspicious activities and other important information to detectives by direct or written communication in order to facilitate the investigative process. Takes photographs, or directs