Police Officer

Police OfficerApplicants must be at least 20 years old to qualify. This application process is for the May 2027 Academy. Police Officers perform general policing functions intended to ensure the safety and security of lives and property within the City. Activities include patrol, traffic enforcement, and investigative duties. Officers work under the general supervision of a Sergeant and are assigned to a particular area of the City. Officers may be assigned to special activities or projects on an ongoing or short-term basis (e.g., crime prevention, investigations, school resource officer, etc.). The work performed involves a considerable risk to personal safety for self and others and requires quick decision-making when determining the appropriate action to take in a given situation. While much of this work is performed independently and without the immediate presence of a supervisor, incumbents are required to draw upon their extensive training and the department's procedural guidelines, mandates, and laws governing an officer's response and conduct when determining the appropriate action to take in a particular situation. Officers are subject to call back at most times. Officers may respond to situations outside of Fargo and across state lines when called in for mutual aid. Scope of Responsibility: The Police Officer works under the general supervision of a Sergeant, who is often not immediately present during events but is typically available by electronic communications media. Work involves taking action in situations where a quick response is needed and there can be considerable risk of harm to persons or property and considerable liability. Responsible for all equipment issued, in accordance with Police Department policy and procedures. A Police Officer may be assigned to the SWAT Team or the Police Training Officer (PTO) Program.Primary ResponsibilitiesSpecial Assignment: Police Recruit This position is an entry-level, non-sworn position in the Police Department. The Police Recruit participates in the Fargo Police Academy and is expected to successfully complete the Academy as prescribed by the North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board. Upon successful completion of the academy, the candidate will become a sworn Police Officer. Special Assignment Essential Duties and Responsibilities : Successfully graduate from the Fargo Police Academy; Meet all the academic and physical training programs mandated by North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board; Learns basic principles of patrol procedures and criminal investigation; Participates in firearm training and defensive tactics; Drives a variety of police vehicles under various training conditions. Special Assignment Minimum Qualifications: The job requires a minimum of fifty semester hours or seventy-five quarter credits of post-high school education at an accredited college, university, or technical school to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, such as those listed above. The trainee must have the required 60 semester hours or 90 quarter credits by the end of the Academy. Military service may be used in lieu of the education requirement. To qualify, the applicant must have completed at least four years of full-time active-duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an Honorable Discharge. Acceptable documentation includes a DD Form 214 (Member 4 copy) verifying both the length of active service and the character of discharge. Requires passing pre-employment assessments and tests. The Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) must be successfully completed by the completion of the Police Academy. A valid State of North Dakota peace officer license must be acquired upon completion of the police academy, or as determined by the department, and a valid driver's license is also required. Assignment to this entry-level non-sworn position is temporary. Failure to successfully complete the police academy and all the required assessments will result in termination from City of Fargo employment. Special Assignment Physical Demands & Working Conditions: All the physical demands and working conditions of a patrol officer apply within this assignment.Minimum QualificationsThe job requires sixty semester or ninety quarter credits of post-high school education at an accredited college, university, or technical school to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Military service may be used in lieu of the education requirement. To qualify, the applicant must have completed at least four years of full-time active-duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an Honorable Discharge. Acceptable documentation includes a DD Form 214 (Member 4 copy) verifying both the length of active service and the character of discharge. Requires passing pre-employment assessments and tests. A valid State of North Dakota peace officer license must be acquired upon hire or as determined by the department and a valid driver's license is also required. Knowledge, skills, and abilities required: Knowledge of current police procedures and techniques and their appropriate application in various situations; Knowledge of basic first aid/life saving techniques; Knowledge of principles of investigation; Knowledge of city ordinances, state and federal laws, regulations and codes relating to law enforcement activities and criminal law; Specialized certification may be required for specialized areas of training, e.g., State Firearms Certification; Skill in effective and proper operation and maintenance of various weaponry/equipment used in police activities and the ability to complete required in-service firearms training and scheduled qualification; Basic computer skills; Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and have good public relations skills; Ability to work independently; Ability to manage time effectively; Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.Physical DemandsPhysical Demands & Working Conditions: Most of the time is spent in the field on patrol. Incumbent is required to carry a firearm, take appropriate safety precautions and wear protective body armor. While on patrol or at crime scenes, incumbent may have exposure to injury, trauma, angry or violent individuals, animal bites, blood-borne and air-borne pathogens, traffic accidents, visual and emotional trauma, toxic chemicals, and adverse road and weather conditions. Incumbent spends a large portion of each day in a patrol vehicle, frequently exiting and entering vehicle. Must be able to meet the physical demands/requirements of North Dakota Peace Officer Training Board (P.O.S.T.) in order to qualify for and maintain status as a licensed peace officer. Heavy Work: Incumbents must be able to climb ladders, walk or run on uneven surfaces, drag up to 185 pounds for a distance of 50 feet. Occasional lifting, pushing or pulling of up to 100 pounds, frequent lifting, pushing or pulling of up to 50 pounds and regular moving of objects up to 20 pounds is required. Incumbent is required to wear approximately 24 pounds of equipment dependent upon assignment. Incumbents must be able to perform the following physical demands: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, digital dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing. While on patrol, continual attention to detail in monitoring surroundings is required. Attention to detail and deadlines is required in completing reports and paperwork. Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.