Police Officer I

Police Officer Trainee

The employee hired into this non-exempt position is considered a non-sworn member of the department. This position is an inexperienced, non-certified, police officer trainee. The employee is assigned to assist different sworn employees with various tasks while awaiting assignment to the police academy. Upon successful completion of the police academy, the employee will enter into the field training program as a sworn employee. Work as a sworn employee involves routine patrol work and responding to emergency calls, citizen complaints, and alarms. Duties include preliminary investigations, special detail assignments, administrative duties and other special assignments as assigned by superiors. This employee will be advanced to the position of Police Officer II after successful completion of the police academy, with a salary adjustment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Possession of a valid State of Georgia driver's license (Class C)
• Satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older
• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must have no record of a felony conviction

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree or two years of related college coursework is desirable
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Major Duties: Upon completion of a State Certified Police Academy

• Patrol the City to provide a visible deterrent in uniform and in marked cars and to enforce laws and ordinances and protect life and property; monitors commercial and residential areas for signs of criminal activity, patrols for suspicious persons or vehicles
• Enforces traffic and parking laws through the issuance of citations and warnings; routinely inspects roadways, bridges, and traffic signals and signs to find and report any hazardous conditions
• Performs business and residential security checks; checks building doors, windows, gates, and fences to ensure building/home is secured
• Reports buildings, homes, vehicles, or equipment that is not secured; ensures the safety and well-being of all residents/employees on duty; learns employees work patterns and alerts them to possible suspects and crime prevention
• Responds to calls for assistance, disturbance calls, and complaints of crimes; enforces Federal, State, and local laws by performing warrant, felony, or misdemeanor arrests; implements physical confrontation when necessary; protects the civil rights of persons in custody
• Investigates traffic accidents by establishing point of impact, interviewing witnesses, and collecting, preserving, and packaging evidence; detects impaired drivers and performs sobriety evaluations; books DUI suspects
• Secures and protects crime scene by establishing boundaries, detaining victims, suspects and witnesses, locating and identifying evidence, and briefing supervisors and investigators on their arrival
• Serves as first-responder to provide aid and assistance to victims of traffic and other accidents, assists fire and emergency medical services in treating and transporting victims
• Prepares and maintains a wide variety of departmental records and reports in compliance with departmental and legal policies and procedures; prepares and files thorough written case reports
• Gives advice on laws, ordinances, and general information to the public; renders advice on domestic disturbances, assists citizens in need
• Maintains assigned uniform, vehicle, and equipment in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.
• Presents evidence and testimony in courts of law; assists in prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases.
• Assists stranded motorists, directs traffic when necessary; escorts special processions; transports prisoners to jail
• Participates in departmental training programs
• Participates in community relation's projects as required
• Serves and executes criminal and traffic warrants on felony and misdemeanor suspects
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Knowledge of or the ability to learn Federal, State, and local laws and legal procedures
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the department's rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn law enforcement investigation methods, procedures, and techniques and the ability to apply such knowledge to specific situations
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn modern methods and practices of criminal investigation, gathering evidence, preservation of evidence, and identification
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn the geography of the City and the location of important buildings and areas.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn skill in the use of firearms

Ability Required by the Position:

• Ability to analyze situations and to take quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action given due regard to the surrounding hazards and circumstances of each situation
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive reports
• Ability to operate a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night, in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow
• Ability to obtain information through interviews, interrogations, and observation
• Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions
• Ability to communicate clearly and effective, orally and writing
• Ability to drive and operate the department's assigned vehicles and equipment in a safe and efficient manner
• Ability to qualify annually with firearms
• Ability to work routinely under highly stressful conditions including life-threatening situations
• Ability to pass pre-employment physical examination including drug screening
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with general public in sometimes difficult and trying circumstances (Customer Service)
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the general public
• Ability to work accurately with detailed records and complex information

Supervisory Controls:

A Police Field Training Officer, Police Sergeant, or Lieutenant reviews assignments and gives specific instructions and assistance when guidance or patrol backup is needed.

Guidelines:

Abide by all Federal, State and local laws, Departmental Standard Operating Procedures and the Departmental Code of Ethics. Work requires independent judgment and discretion in difficult or unusual situations.

Complexity:

Work requires the exercise of independent thinking within the limits of guidelines, policies, standards, and precedents. Work involves personal danger.

Scope and Effect:

To enforce state laws and city ordinances, perform law enforcement duties, and to assist the public and other officers during emergency and non-emergency situations.

Personal Contacts:

Law enforcement officers and the general public.

Purpose of Contacts:

To resolve problems, conduct investigations, negotiate.

Physical Demands:

Work typically demands standing, walking, sitting and lifting over 100 lbs. Work also includes carrying, pulling, climbing, kneeling, speaking, hearing and seeing.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a variety of field and office settings and may require exposure to dangerous and life-threatening situations. Must be willing to carry a firearm; mentally and physically capable of taking a life of another, if justified; willing to work as Departmental needs require any hour of the day or night (shift work), overtime, weekends, on call and holidays with little to minimal notice; work any location in the City and travel on specific assignments.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility:

This position has no supervisory or management responsibilities.