Lateral Police Officer

Lateral Police Officer

We are hiring at this time for the position of Lateral Police Officer. Positions in this classification are responsible for general duty and investigator police work. Incumbents are committed to the protection of life and property, apprehension of criminals, enforcement of laws and ordinances and preservation of the peace. Work is performed in assigned shifts, from patrol cars or on foot. Assignments may vary between uniform patrol, preliminary investigation, and traffic enforcement. Officers rotate shifts and may work either day or night. The work involves an element of danger and may at times require the use of physical strength and agility to apprehend and physically subdue persons suspected of committing crimes. The Police Officer exercises considerable independence in the field and must be able to adequately interpret ordinances and policy when making judgments or decisions.

Examples of work include patrolling designated areas of the city in a radio equipped vehicle, or on foot, to preserve law and order, prevent or discover criminal activity and enforce motor vehicle regulations. Providing direction and assistance to persons in need and responding to calls and complaints involving emergencies, criminal complaints or vehicle accidents. Monitoring and directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic and enforcing traffic regulations. Conducting investigations, gathering and analyzing evidence, obtaining witnesses, determining probable cause for arrest, making arrests and transporting suspects. Conducting searches and seizures. Interrogating suspects to obtain information. Preparing detailed written reports of complaints and investigations. Appearing in court, giving testimony and presenting evidence as necessary. Exercising force when necessary to physically subdue persons suspected of criminal activity. May become involved in situations requiring high-speed pursuit and may be called upon to provide emergency assistance by administering CPR and applying basic first aid. Acting as a resource and point of public contact. Making referrals to appropriate city departments or agencies. Performing all other duties as assigned by the City Manager.

Work requires significant physical agility and strength to pursue and physically subdue suspects; maneuver in and out of police cars and carry 30 pounds of equipment. Police Officers perform some twisting and turning and may crouch or sit for long periods of time. Officers routinely carry and use weapons.

Knowledge of the proper and safe use of firearms, city, state and federal laws, ordinances, and judicial decisions, principles, practices and procedures of police work, street addressing, physical layout and characteristics of the city and surrounding areas, first aid principles and skill in their application. Ability to work independently, understand and effectively carry out supervisor's instructions and departmental procedures, quickly assess emergency situation, calmly make decisions, write clear and concise written reports and other written forms of communication, qualify in the use of firearms and other assigned equipment, deal courteously with the general public and convey a professional image, maintain self control in emotionally demanding situations, and ability to physically withstand the strain of police work and to cope with long hours and varying schedules.

Lateral Officer Experience and Training Guidelines: Experience: Two years of sworn, non-military, patrol officer experience. Certifications: State-issued Basic Law Enforcement certificate. Status: Currently employed as a law enforcement officer or have left such employment in good standing (within 5 years) and have a valid law enforcement commission, at time of hire.

Intermediate Lateral Experience and Training Guidelines: Experience: Patrol officer experience. Certifications: State-issued Basic Law Enforcement certificate. Status: Currently employed as a law enforcement officer or have left such employment in good standing (within 5 years) and have a valid law enforcement commission, at time of hire.

Note: Applicants from states other than Washington must have the ability to obtain Basic or Equivalency Law Enforcement certification by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, within the probationary period.

Benefits: Qualified employees are eligible for benefits the first of the month after hire date.

Medical: The City currently offers two Medical Benefit Plans, Asuris Northwest Health Preferred Provider Plan (PPO) and Kaiser Permanente. Both are administered through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). The City pays up to $1,591 for employee and dependent medical coverage. The City also offers long-term disability.

Dental: Currently, the City offers two Benefit Dental Plans. One is through Washington Dental Service and the other is Willamette Dental. The City pays for the employees' premium and the employee pays for their spouse and dependents if they choose that coverage.

Vision: Provided by VSP.

AFLAC: The City offers its employees the opportunity to purchase AFLAC products through a payroll deduction plan. The entire cost is paid by the employee.

Retirement: All retirement plans are through the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) o Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System (LEOFF) Plan 2 is a lifetime retirement pension plan available to law enforcement officers and firefighters in Washington. o Employees have available a Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). Contributions may be made by the employee to the Plan and deducted from the employee's paycheck.

HRA VEBA: The City offers to pay $500 monthly toward dependent Medical or Dental coverage through the VEBA program. If the employee does not have dependent coverage, then the money is put into a VEBA account also on a monthly basis. If the employee wants reimbursement for medical co-pays, dental costs, optical costs, prescriptions or dependent premiums paid by their spouse, they may submit receipts to VEBA for the reimbursement. The employee may leave these monies in the account and use it in the future for retirement purposes.

Group Life Insurance Standard Insurance: The City pays for a $10,000 life insurance policy for each employee. The employee may choose to increase this amount for additional coverage. Any premium amount for coverage above the $10,000 is taken as a payroll deduction form the employee's monthly paycheck.

Vacation Time: Employees will receive the following vacation benefit per year: Year 1-4 = 8 hours/month Year 5-10 = 11 hours/month Year 11-15 = 13 hours/month Year 16 and after = 15 hours/month

Sick Leave: Employees will accrue 10 hours of sick leave every month.

Paid Holidays: The city offers 13 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays!

Clothing Allowance: $1,845 (gross) per year.

Take Home Vehicle: If you live within 35 miles of city limits.

Incentives: Specialty assignment pay, education pay, longevity pay.