Police Officer

Police Officer – Job Description The Police Officer is responsible for the protection of life and property, prevention of crimes, apprehension of criminals, and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances. Duties normally consist of routine patrol, preliminary investigations, and traffic regulation to provide a safe environment for citizens and visitors. The officer must respond to calls for service, ranging from friendly assists to highly stressful and dangerous situations, and may be assigned to train probationary officers. Job Duties Provide good customer service to internal and external customers and maintain positive working relationships with City employees. Perform other duties as required or assigned. Perform preventive patrol in assigned areas, both in vehicle and on foot; enforce state and federal laws and city ordinances; operate a motor vehicle safely and, when necessary, at high speeds or in congested traffic. Observe for and respond to criminal activity, safety hazards, traffic violations, persons needing assistance, and conduct interviews and interrogations of potential victims, witnesses, suspects, and offenders. Collect, process, package, and log physical evidence; make arrests on criminal and traffic‑related offenses, including DWI detection; defend self and others in physical confrontations, and conduct searches of persons, places, vehicles and objects. Become familiar with patrol districts and known offenders; conduct security inspections and survey buildings, handle complaints, and conduct preliminary and follow‑up investigations. Respond to emergency and non‑emergency calls in assigned and neighboring areas, and to requests by other agencies outside jurisdiction. Serve arrest warrants and other court documents; assist prosecutors, attorneys and judges in preparing cases for trial; testify in court. Control vehicular and pedestrian traffic using hand signals or flashlight; conduct traffic control for blocked traffic, parades, accidents, and special events; provide crowd control, security and information during events. Clean and maintain a variety of police weapons, including pistols, rifles and shotguns, both in the field and to meet department standards of proficiency. Utilize a mobile computer terminal in the assigned police vehicle to gather and exchange information; complete traffic/criminal citations; investigate traffic accidents and report findings electronically. View and preserve crime scenes and identify physical evidence. Prepare detailed narrative reports, either by hand or via dictation, in accordance with duty requirements. Respond to and resolve domestic disputes in a manner that minimizes harm to all parties. Interact with children of all ages, including delinquents, minors requiring authoritative intervention, neglected or abused children, runaways, lost or found children, crime victims, and serve informs. Provide interpersonal support and assist during civil disputes. Direct civilian employees and the public at crime scenes, accidents, disasters, assemblies, and other public events. Determine probable cause in arrests and complete paperwork for felony and misdemeanor cases, including felony jackets. Assess when and how to use less‑lethal or deadly force. Search, guard, transport, and assist in the booking and custodial care of prisoners. Administer first aid when needed and coordinate emergency personnel and resources in crisis situations. Act as a public relations officer for the city and foster good relationships with businesses, schools, and the community. Perform desk duties, including telecommunications, assisting station personnel, and processing reports. Develop and maintain required skills and certifications associated with the area of special investigation or expertise. Collaborate closely with other agencies by exchanging information and attending meetings, training sessions, seminars and conferences. Maintain issued and assigned equipment, including patrol unit, uniforms, firearms and protective devices. Field Training Duties (when assigned) Comprehend and utilize various strategies, tactics, and training to protect the public, fellow officers, and self in changing environments. Communicate effectively with witnesses, victims, suspects, fellow officers, supervisors, dispatchers and the general public. Train probationary officers; evaluate performance on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis; prepare performance reports. Investigations Duties (when assigned) Conduct investigations by following up on leads, interview suspects, victims and witnesses, and make arrests when necessary. Train and assist other officers in the investigation process, including evidence gathering and safeguarding. Serve on specialized task forces as assigned. Work an on‑call schedule and respond to crime scenes; process crime scenes, lift prints, photograph evidence, and conduct crucial interviews. School Resource Officer Duties (when assigned) Perform daily security checks and monitor campus activity to ensure the welfare of over 17,000 students and faculty. Communicate with students and administrators concerning sensitive issues, resolve conflicts and assist with policies and procedures. Teach law‑enforcement topics to students and faculty. Patrol campus and attend extracurricular activities, parent‑teacher conferences, and community events. Participate in charitable events and install car seats for the public. Assist with the Law and Public Safety Academy, the Child ID Program and Youth Academy recruiting, instruction, and research projects. Work as a liaison between the Police Department, School District and Juvenile Court System; investigate crimes occurring in the district. Background Investigator Duties (when assigned) Conduct applicant testing, prepare facilities, and assist with written and physical agility tests. Attend recruiting events and promote current openings. Perform background investigations, home visits, and compile reference materials. Conduct applicant interviews and coordinate pre‑employment exams, including polygraph and drug screening. Perform new hire procedures, sign required paperwork, and complete mandatory training. Court Bailiff Duties (when assigned) Ensure proper judge announcement and provide security throughout court sessions. Prepare courtroom for arraignments, trials and civil court; distribute and collect defendant paperwork. Make arraignments for prisoners and take individuals into custody as ordered. Review daily docket, verify active warrants, and serve warrants when applicable. Coordinate with detention centers to schedule custody transfers and video arraignments; serve walk‑in warrants and cite individuals with unpaid court fees. Compile a monthly calendar of court dates and distribute via email to relevant parties. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED plus specialized training and/or additional college courses and 19‑23 months of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. For Field Training Officer: 3 years of related experience and/or training and a minimum of 2‑6 months of management experience. Must possess a valid Arkansas Driver’s License. Must obtain Basic State Law Enforcement Training Certification, BAC Datamaster‑Operator, Radar, SFST, Driving Course, Defensive Tactics, Firearms course. ACIC Level I or CJIS Certification. For Field Training Officer: Instructor Development and Field Training Certification. Proficiency in the use of a personal computer, standard office equipment, firearms, and specialized law‑enforcement equipment. Ability to utilize internal and external resources for information and data collection. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management and staff. High degree of professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive matters. Ability to multi‑task and work independently with minimal supervision. Excellent oral and written communication skills under adverse conditions. Good judgment, observation, and memory. Ability to learn and perform technical processes and interpret various laws. Must not have a criminal record; must pass a full background investigation, polygraph exam, credit history report, and a physical and mental evaluation within 30 days of hire. Supplemental Information Must be able to pass an FBI criminal background fingerprint check and comply with state and federal requirements for criminal justice information security standards, and obtain necessary certifications. Benefits Medical, dental, and vision coverage LOPFI retirement 457(b) deferred compensation options Flexible spending accounts Life insurance coverage Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave Uniforms & equipment provided Incentive pay: longevity, law enforcement certificate pay, bilingual pay #J-18808-Ljbffr