Police Officer

Job Title: Police Officer

The hiring rate for a fully qualified Police Officer after probation is $56,597. If no fully qualified candidate is selected, B.L.E.T. Cadets will be considered. Performs general duties of law enforcement work to protect life and property in the Town; performs related work as required. An employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties in the patrol division. Work includes patrolling the Town during a shift in a police car, on foot, by bicycle, or other appropriate means preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; investigating traffic accidents, helping victims, and performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; testifying in court; and executing related assignments. Employees must exercise judgment, initiative, and calm control when performing duties, but more difficult problems are normally carried out under the direction or in conjunction with the Police Sergeant. Work involves frequent public contact with requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from superior officers. Employees are subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work. The employee is also subject to Final OSHA Standards on blood borne pathogens. Work is performed under regular supervision, and is evaluated through observation, review of reports, and discussion concerning how particular incidents or activities were handled. This is a non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime and compensatory time in accordance with Town policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Patrols streets in a police car, on foot, by bicycle or other appropriate means; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions, may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, and other needs; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citations; directs traffic and participates in other emergency operation activities.
• Performs investigations of accidents and possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering physical evidence; performs investigative tasks assigned by the Police Sergeant or other senior officer; arrests and processes criminal suspects.
• Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; testifies in court; executes search warrants; serves papers as needed.
• Regulates and directs vehicular traffic at busy times or when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require; maintains order at public gatherings.
• Operates a two-way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters.
• Prepares detailed records and reports of activities.
• Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances and policies of the Police Department, especially relating to arrest, search and seizure, and traffic control.
• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
• Some knowledge of scientific criminal detection and identification methods.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics.
• Ability to operate a computer terminal.
• Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective relations with the citizens, coworkers, other law enforcement agencies, and Town officials.

Desirable Education and Experience

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Some law enforcement training or experience preferred.

Special Requirements

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational skills of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, fingering, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.