Recruit Police Officer

Recruit Police Officer

The Recruit Police Officer position is responsible for the protection of life and property through enforcing statutes and laws; rendering emergency assistance to the public in a wide variety of situations; patrolling residential, rural, and business areas of the City; performing standard crime and accident prevention duties; apprehending criminals; serving arrest warrants; issuing citations for violations of City ordinances and State statutes; identifying and recovering stolen property; investigating traffic accidents and crimes; and deciding whether to arrest or not, as well as when to use force or firearms. Shift assignments, which rotate, normally consist of patrol or traffic activities in a designated area of the City in a patrol car, other designated vehicles, or on foot. The work involves an element of personal danger, and employees must exercise individual judgment and discretion in meeting emergencies and enforcing ordinances and laws. Experienced officers may be assigned to special duties with the Drug Investigation Unit, provide field training to new police officers, or occasionally perform duties at a higher level classification for training purposes. During probation, new officers are expected to apply formal classroom and on-the-job training experiences to actual work situations. As experience and training are gained, the degree of direct supervision will decrease. Assignments and general or special instructions are received from a superior officer, who reviews work occasionally while it is being performed or through records, personal inspection, and discussions. The City of Fairbanks is a equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Essential Job Functions / Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Patrol designated areas of the City in a patrol vehicle or on foot to prevent, deter and discover crime. Enforce traffic and criminal statutes and laws. Issue citations to violators of City ordinances or State statutes and arrest persons on misdemeanor or felony charges, as well as handcuff and search arrested persons and take them into custody as warranted. Respond to reports of possible crime and take initial action as the situation requires to secure the scene by administering first aid; arresting suspects; interviewing available victims and/or witnesses to gather evidence; complete incident and arrest reports. Investigate persons suspected of being engaged in crime; ascertain and secure evidence pertaining to the alleged crime; arrest suspects for probable cause in felonies, and request specialized assistance as needed. Respond to and investigate automobile accidents by assisting drivers or pedestrians who appear to be hurt or in trouble with emergency first aid, summoning necessary emergency medical assistance, interviewing principals and witnesses, making general drawings of the accident scenes, noting details, completing standard accident reports, issuing citations, or taking principals into custody as the situation warrants. Investigate family disputes and reports of maltreatment of children by interviewing persons with complaints or inquiries, providing information on laws and ordinances, attempting to resolve the problem, taking principals into custody as needed, or referring them to appropriate agencies such as juvenile and medical authorities. Perform specialized duties depending on the individual officer's background and abilities and on the needs of the department by patrolling and searching areas of the City, or serving as a member of a special Drug Investigation Team in conducting investigations of narcotics and other major crimes. Serve as a liaison between the community and the department for educating the community in crime prevention through speaking engagements and films. Locate and serve warrants and other official court documents to offenders. Perform traffic enforcement duties. Provide on-the-job training to new employees in the geographical and cultural characteristics of the City and the general methods to use in various situations, or serve as a member of the Tactical Police Team; and performs related work as assigned. The above examples are representative of assignments performed by this class and are not intended to be inclusive. Minimum requirements persons applying for this position must have the following: Successfully complete all required pre-employment and post-employment background, physical, written, polygraph, and psychological examinations. Physical strength and agility sufficient to perform the work of the position. Be at least 21 years of age by the date of hire, and a U. S. citizen. Have graduated from an accredited high school or possess a GED equivalent, preferably supplemented by additional college level courses related to criminal justice. Possess or obtain within 14 months of employment (or employee may be terminated) a Basic Alaska Police Standards Council certificate upon completion of the Police Academy and required period of service. Preference may be given to applicants who have previously obtained a Basic Alaska Police Standards Council certificate and higher. They may also be able to enter the department through a modified entry program. Not have a history of mental or emotional disorders; must be drug free. Meet the minimum physical fitness requirements established as necessary for the performance of the duties of this position as determined by a medical professional during an employer sponsored physical examination; and must maintain an adequate level of physical fitness required to perform the essential job requirements. Successfully pass a hearing examination; possess normal color discrimination, binocular coordination, peripheral vision and corrected visual acuity of 20/30 or better in each eye. Possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid first aid and CPR card as issued by an agency authorized by the State of Alaska. Possess and maintain a valid State of Alaska driver's license and a safe driving record prior to and throughout the duration of employment. Meet required entrance standards set by the Alaska Police Standards Council or a certified Police Academy.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, skills and abilities these factors will be the basis for selecting those qualified candidates to be interviewed. Candidates hired must satisfactorily demonstrate these factors during a prescribed probationary period for continued employment: Analyze situations quickly and objectively to recognize actual and potential dangers and to determine the appropriate course of action. Ability to read and understand laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. Ability to cope with stressful situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for individual rights. Ability to perform assignments under extreme weather conditions. Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing. Ability to maintain effective working relations with coworkers and with citizens from varied racial, ethnic, or economic backgrounds. Ability to develop skill in the use and care of a variety of firearms and law enforcement equipment. Ability to learn and use investigative techniques and procedures. Ability to learn and properly perform first aid. Ability to observe and remember details. Ability to learn to drive light duty passenger vehicles skillfully and in a proper manner. Ability to obtain and maintain a basic certificate as a certified police officer as issued by the Alaska Police Standards Council within 14 months of employment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Physical demands: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines, tools and equipment which includes a motor vehicle, police bicycle, computer, calculator, copy machine, telephone, camera, video camera, tape recorder, two-way radio, radar gun, baton, handcuffs, gun/firearm, etc. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for very heavy work. Standing/walking: Patrol duties: Stands and walks on concrete or asphalt pavement or uneven, unpaved surfaces about 30% of the day. Distance is normally 1,000 feet or less at any one time. Office duties: Stands and walks on concrete, vinyl, and carpeted floors about 10% of the day. Distance is normally 100 feet or less. Sitting: Patrol duties: Sits in a patrol vehicle 60% of the day. Office duties: Sits in the office for report writing and meetings about 20% of the day in chairs normally at a table or using a computer terminal. Carrying: May routinely carry objects of varying sizes and weight up to 1,000 feet in distance. Objects may be of different substances or shapes. Some carrying may be under emergency conditions. Lifting: May routinely lift objects as part of regular duties (i.e., drawing firearm or baton). Lifting does not normally require anything over shoulder height. May include lifting persons in custody, unconscious, et cetrea. Weights range up to 250 pounds, but routinely weigh 10 to 50 pounds. Pushing/pulling: May be required to pull weights up to 180 to 250 pounds under emergency/arrest conditions. Routinely may push/pull objects weighing 10 to 50 pounds, or push a vehicle short distances. Bending: From the waist to pick up or lay down an object. May be down on knees for short time periods, as duties require. Reaching: Patrol duties: Reaching will be required under emergency/arrest conditions. Measurement of the degree is not possible to quantify. Reaching frequently in patrol vehicle for radio or siren/light bar controls is 2 feet or less. Will provide traffic direction and control, this requires extensive use of hand and arm signals for periods varying from 5 minutes to 1 hour. Office duties: Some reaching required while changing into uniform, reaching for office supplies across a table. Reaching is not normally required for distances over 3 feet. Twisting: Patrol duties: Twisting will be required under emergency/arrest conditions. Measurement of the degree is not possible to quantify. Twisting in the patrol vehicle is 60% to one side or the other as well as some twisting is involved in entering/leaving vehicle. Office duties: Twisting is required sitting at a table or desk as officer reaches for the phone or supplies. Twisting in this environment is 45% to one side or the other. Climbing – height: Patrol duties: On/over various building surfaces, fences, walls (approximately 6 feet high), etc. Climbing stairs between