Police Officer I

Law Enforcement Officer Position

An employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties designed to partner with the public to prevent and detect crime, address traffic safety issues, and respond to the needs of citizens. Work includes patrolling the Town during an assigned rotating shift in a police car or on foot; preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; and executing related assignments.

Work also involves extensive public contact which requires exercising collaboration, conflict management, situation control, and decisiveness. The public contact functions also include development and maintenance of rapport with citizens and community leaders. Employees must exercise judgment, initiative, and calm control when performing duties; more difficult problems are normally carried out under the direction of or in conjunction with a Police Sergeant assigned to the same shift.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Patrols streets in a police car or on foot; check 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; report dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, and loud and disruptive behavior; complete calls by determining the 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 initial investigations of accidents or possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering physical evidence; performs investigative tasks, arrests, and processes criminal suspects; presents findings in court.
• Issues citations for violation of traffic regulations, serves warrants; apprehends and processes criminal suspects, and transports to detention facilities.
• Operates a two-way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters; maintains vehicles, weapons, and other equipment in standard working order.
• Prepare records and reports of activities.
• Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; serves papers as needed.
• Gives information and directions to visitors and the general public.
• Assists with emergency response activities of the town such as evacuation procedures and clean-up activities.
• Performs related duties as required.

Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from ranking Sergeant or superior officers. Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated through observation, monitoring radio traffic, discussion, and review of reports for adherence to laws, department procedures, and proper judgment. This position is non-exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Physical Requirements and Special Working Conditions

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, hearing, kneeling, reaching, feeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, crawling, fingering, and performing repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; 20 pounds frequently; and 10 pounds constantly.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.
• Work is subject to the final OSHA standards on bloodborne pathogens.
• Employees are subject to hazards associated with law enforcement work including working in both inside and outside environments, occasionally including ocean shore and water areas, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as dangerous persons, heavy traffic, loud noises, and hazardous spills with fumes, oils, gases, or flammable liquids.

Qualifications and Experience

• Graduation from high school and completion of basic law enforcement training; possession of a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For assignment as an Officer I: possession of the appropriate certifications and other requirements as specified by the Town.
• Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and policies of the police department, especially relating to search and seizure, traffic control, pursuit, and arrest.
• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
• Some knowledge of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics.
• Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and other public officials.

Education and Certifications

Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess the following:

• A Valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Completed at least the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission for certified law enforcement officers.
• Must be immediately eligible for law enforcement certification through the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division.

To Apply

Please submit the completed Police Department Employment Application, Release of Personal Information, and the North Carolina F-3 Personal History Statement to View email address on click.appcast.io. You can find these forms through the links below.