Police Officer

Police Officer

Safety/Security Status: Safety Sensitive

Depending on assignment, officer is responsible for the protection of life and property; crime prevention; apprehension of criminals; follow-up investigation on reported crimes; undercover narcotics investigations; maintaining property room; crime scene technicians; traffic enforcement; and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances by performing the following duties.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change in order to meet city needs or operational requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position. Other duties may be assigned.

When Assigned to Uniform

Patrols assigned areas of the city for the purpose of law enforcement control. Responds to calls from telecommunicators and public requests, such as accidents, disturbances, or crimes.

Provides assistance to victims, witnesses, and the general public.

Investigates incidents and accidents involving traffic. Takes statements from witnesses and conducts preliminary investigations, directs traffic, and issues citations to violators.

Performs escort duties to special processions.

Responds to burglar alarm calls. Proceeds cautiously to the scene and requests assistance if necessary.

Checks buildings for signs of illegal entry, enters buildings to search for perpetrators, contact Criminal Investigation Division (CID) when location is secure.

Operates the "Intoxalier" on intoxicated suspects. Takes readings and results and informs suspects of their intoxication level.

Reads suspects their legal rights at the time of arrest.

Prepares reports and maintain case files on arrests that they have made or investigations they are involved in.

Maintains equipment and vehicles assigned to them.

As required, assists other law enforcement agencies with the apprehension of wanted persons.

Operates police department vehicles in a safe and responsible manner.

Controls crowds at public gatherings.

Investigates causes and results of accident. Directs and reroutes traffic around fire or other disruptions.

Warns or arrests persons violating animal ordinances.

Issues warnings and tickets to traffic violators.

Performs specialized and directed patrols as assigned. Performs other duties as assigned.

When Assigned to Warrants

Maintains warrant files and has primary responsibility for their completeness.

Coordinates warrant actions with surrounding agencies for the service of warrants inside and outside the city.

Informs wanted persons of misdemeanor and traffic warrants held for surrender at the police department.

Performs other warrants duties as assigned.

When Assigned to CID

Conducts the necessary follow-up investigation on assigned criminal cases.

Assists in determining scope, timing, and direction of investigation.

Investigates known or suspected criminal activity for clues. Investigates crimes and questions witnesses.

When assigned, investigates and maintains the department's files involving registered sex offenders.

When assigned, conducts matters involving juvenile related crimes. (See description for Juvenile assignment)

Develops and uses informants to get leads to information.

Obtains evidence or establishes facts by interviewing, observing, and interrogating suspects and witnesses and analyzing records.

Examines scene of crime to obtain clues and gather evidence.

Verifies information obtained to establish accuracy and authenticity of facts and evidence.

As required, maintains surveillance's and performs undercover assignments.

Obtains and uses search and arrest warrants. Arrests or assists in arrest of criminals or suspects.

Presents findings in clear, logical, impartial, and properly documented reports. Reports critical information to and coordinates activities with other offices or agencies when applicable.

Testifies in courts as required.

When Assigned to Crime Scene Technician

While at the crime scene, the technician will be under the supervision of a criminal investigator.

Will provide various types of photography; crime scene searching (ie: tool marks, latent fingerprints, serology items, and other trace evidence as required); and crime scene sketching as needed at a crime scene.

Will provide necessary searching for evidence items, such as tool marks, latent fingerprints, serology items, and other trace evidence as required.

Will collect all evidence located at a crime scene and properly mark and package all such items.

Will be prepared to testify in all court proceedings involving the aforementioned job tasks.

Will assist in maintaining the security and integrity of the evidence locker by properly receiving evidence from patrol officers, establishing a chain of custody, assisting with proper storage and transport evidence to State Crime Laboratory.

Will maintain liaison with the State Crime Laboratory and assist with audits of the evidence locker. Will assist with the disposal of property.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

When Assigned to Training

Works with captains and lieutenants to assess training needs and schedule training classes as needed.

Conducts orientation with new officers to assimilate them into the department.

Meets with citizens, schools, and private and civic organizations to provide programs of interest to the public on all matters involving the department or community law enforcement efforts.

Prepares documents for the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST) concerning the training readiness of officers.

Performs other duties as assigned.

When Assigned to Narcotics

Compiles identifying information on suspects charged with selling narcotics.

Maintains surveillance of suspect to detect methods of operations.

As required, acts as undercover officer to contact suspect and purchase narcotics.

Obtains police funds required to make purchase.

Submits written report containing charges, available facts, and evidence to CID Lieutenant.

Observes and photographs narcotic purchase transaction to compile evidence and protect undercover investigator.

Arrests narcotics offenders. Obtains statements for prosecution of offenders and appears in court as witness.

Works with the state and federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task forces.

Works with law enforcement agencies in multi-jurisdiction routine and under-cover drug investigations.

Manages informants.

Proposes case files for state and federal prosecution.

Performs other duties as assigned.

When Assigned to School Resource Officer (SRO)

Coordinates all activities with the Principal, or any other staff member concerned. Seeks permission, advice, and guidance prior to enacting any program within the school.

When requested by the Principal, the SRO shall attend as many parent/faculty meetings as possible to solicit support and understanding of the SRO program.

Available for conferences with students, parents and faculty members in order to assist them with problems of a law enforcement or crime prevention nature.

Assists the Principal and staff in developing plans and strategies to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations which may occur on school campus.

Takes law enforcement action as required. Informs Principal of any such action.

Provides assistance to other police officers in matters regarding school assignment whenever necessary.

Is expected to participate in school functions such as athletic events, dances, Parent-Teacher Service Organization (PTSO) programs, and other school-sponsored activities when the Principal and SRO consider attendance advantageous.

Monitors hallways during all class changes and lunch periods unless involved in a situation which warrants their immediate attention.

Will be assigned lunchroom duties, hall monitors or other monitoring duties on an "Emergency Basis" and when requested by the Principal for a specific reason.

Moves around in different locations so that the students will not become familiar with location or routine.

Will prepare and present specialized lectures to classes and arrange for guest lectures on topics related to law enforcement when requested by the Principal or any member of the faculty.

When Assigned K-9

Provides daily cares of the K-9 food and water along with daily training.

Maintains all training records for the K-9 team. Also maintains all K-9 field reports for the K-9 team.

Provides weekly training with the K-9 which includes officer protection, explosive searches, drug searches, tracking, obedience, and area searches for evidence.

Attends to the K-9 medical needs with the veterinarian.

Provides daily care and maintenance of the K-9 kennel at the residence