Police Officer

Police Officer

Additional Pay Incentives:

* Longevity pay up to 7.5%

* POST Certificate/Education pay up to 10%

* Assignment Pay 5%

* Traffic Accident Investigator pay up to 5%

* Bilingual pay up to 5%

Performs a variety of duties in the enforcement of laws, the protection of persons and property, and the prevention of crimes; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Police Department.

Examples of Duties

• Operates motorized equipment in patrolling or walks an assigned area for the prevention of crime and the enforcement of laws and regulations.

• Responds to radio messages or telephone instructions and appears at scenes of crime or disorder.

• Investigates and prepares reports on accidents, offenses and damage to property.

• Receives and gives direction and information

• Makes arrests

• Issues citations

• Gives verbal warnings

• Prepares reports on arrests and property impounded

• Directs traffic

• Inspects establishments providing alcoholic beverages and entertainment.

• Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order.

• Appears in court to give testimony as the arresting officer, transports prisoners.

• Serves subpoenas and warrants; participates in police training conferences and programs.

• Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime or which might endanger public safety.

• Writes case reports and a log of activities

• When assigned, obtains and preserves physical evidence at crime scenes, takes crime scene photographs.

• Searches for, dusts and lifts latent fingerprints.

• Prepares physical evidence for court

• When assigned, under close supervision, performs duties including assisting in investigations of violations of laws, the collection and preservation of evidence, the apprehension and arrest of law violators, use of criminal records, making reports of cases handled and action taken.

• Interrogates victims, witnesses and suspects

• Appears in court to present evidence, and otherwise assists in criminal investigations.

• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control and investigation;

• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure, and preservation;

• Laws governing the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons accused of felonies and misdemeanors;

• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment;

• Operational characteristics of police equipment and tools; and

• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Understand and apply departmental policies, rules and instruction; laws, regulation and police literature;

• Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective and reasonable course of action

• Write clear and accurate reports

• Understand and follow written and verbal directions

• Learn the use and care of automobiles, equipment and firearms

• Observe and remember places, names, faces and details of incidents

• Communicate effectively with people from a variety of socio economic backgrounds

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and to demonstrate aptitude for law enforcement work

• Learn, interpret and enforce City and State laws, codes and ordinances;

• Work independently in the absence of supervision;

• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities;

• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; and • Successfully pass a thorough background investigation and physical including drug test

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of education and /or experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills necessary to satisfactory perform the job would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Must be 21 years old at time of appointment

• Must possess a high school diploma, GED or CHSPE equivalent (average score of 45 with no score below 35)

* Must maintain P.O.S.T. police officer certification

• College level coursework such as an associates or bachelor's degree (Highly Desirable)

• Graduation from an accredited California Law Enforcement Academy

• Ability to obtain basic POST certificate

• Record must be free of any felony convictions and be free from any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude

• Valid California driver's license with a good driving record at time of appointment; and

• Must meet P.O.S.T. citizenship requirements

LATERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic certificate

• Successful completion of a P.O.S.T. approved Field Training Program

• Currently employed as a full-time, non-probationary Police Officer in good standing with a California Law Enforcement Agency

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:

Exposure to potentially hostile environments. May be exposed to dust, noise, machinery, moving objects and other vehicles while in the field; may work unusual and prolonged work schedule during emergencies, seasonally-caused circumstances, special assignments may require work in varying climate and temperature conditions.

Physical Conditions:

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, running, standing, sitting or walking for prolonged periods of time; the ability to discharge a firearm.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Employees in this classification serve a probationary period of one (1) year for lateral employees and (18) months for non-lateral.

EMPLOYEE LEAVE: The City offers a generous Vacation and Sick leave program. Employees accrue 96 hours per year of sick leave; employees accrue 80 hours of vacation leave for the first five years; after five years, employees accrue additional hours based on years of service.

BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAM: The City of Desert Hot Springs participates in the Civic Scholars Program and offers its full-time employees the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree at no cost to the employee. Civic Scholars is an employer sponsored college pathway for the employees of Desert Hot Springs that is fully online and self-paced. Built to be mobile friendly, it allows the working adult to start or complete their bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited, non-profit university with no disruption to their work life balance. Details about this program, and how employees can obtain a bachelor's degree at no cost, is available from Human Resources.

RETIREMENT: The City participates in the Social Security system and all employees are covered by the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees pay the Member's contribution depending on their prior PERS eligibility. Membership is mandatory. The retirement formula for new employees is 3% at 55, or 2.7% at 57, depending on prior PERS eligibility, with highest three-year compensation average.

INSURANCE: The City contributes a maximum amount per month towards the cost of medical, dental and vision coverage available to employees and dependents; life insurance is paid by the City. The current employee benefit schedule is available by request from Human Resources.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Available for interested employees, offered through ICMA.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: In compliance with the DRUG FREE WORKPLACE ACT OF 1988 it is City policy to maintain a drug free workplace.