Police Officer - Lateral

Police Officer

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, traffic control, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; employs community policing strategies to prevent juvenile crime and delinquency; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; provides information and assistance to the public; depending on assignment, performs specialized administrative or investigative work; and performs related duties, as assigned.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

This is the journey-level classification in the Police Officer series. Positions at this level perform the full range of duties of a sworn law enforcement officer in a municipal Police Department in the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances. Assignments can include all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including investigation, youth services, administration, and training are included. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Police Trainee class by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the department. This class is distinguished from Police Corporal in that the latter is the lead level in this sworn class series responsible for providing functional direction and training lower-level sworn staff on an assigned shift.

Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling assigned divisions by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required.

Patrols the City within an assigned area in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observes situations, reports and inspects suspicious and criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deters crime by providing high visibility patrols.

Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.

Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.

Detects, apprehends, arrests, and transports suspected or convicted criminals.

Enforces traffic laws; prepares and issues tickets for violations; investigates traffic accidents and determines causes; administers drug and alcohol testing as appropriate; arranges for additional emergency and patrol vehicles as necessary.

Secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence; performs complete investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.

Responds to a wide variety of calls from citizens in need of first aid, information, and general assistance; provides direction or information to individuals or groups for the purpose of preventing, subduing, or alleviating harmful, dangerous or illegal situations; performs traffic and crowd control duties as needed.

Prepares a variety of detailed and concise police reports related to crimes, investigations, traffic accidents, and assigned activities; maintains records and logs related to daily activities; prepares search warrants and press releases related to criminal activity as assigned by the position.

Serves as an informational resource to the public concerning law enforcement activities; responds to inquiries and provides detailed and technical information concerning related services, crimes, laws, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Communicates with other law enforcement agencies, City personnel, and various outside organizations to exchange information, coordinate activities, and resolve issues or concerns; collaborates with other law enforcement agencies in the investigation of various crimes as appropriate; assists the District Attorney's Office in preparing, documenting, and developing cases and gathering information; testifies in court as required.

Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents as necessary.

Operates and maintains a variety of specialized law enforcement equipment such as patrol vehicles, firearms, handcuffs, leg restraints, batons, flashlights, radars, two-way radios, pepper spray, breathalyzers, and sirens.

Assists in cases involving unfit homes and crimes committed against or by juveniles.

Provides first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and rescue services at crime scenes, accidents, and other emergency situations as needed.

Conducts investigations in specialized areas such as narcotics, missing persons, sexual abuse, mental health, and deaths as assigned.

Notifies the public of criminal and law enforcement situations and activities as needed; checks on the health and welfare of citizens as requested.

Attends and participates in various meetings and training sessions as assigned; serves in assigned special functions and activities as required.

Promotes the City's commitment to excellence and quality customer service by employing community policing strategies.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects. Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure, the preservation of evidence, and the chain of custody. Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons. First aid and CPR. Safe operation of a motor vehicle in under patrol, high speed, and emergency conditions. Record-keeping and report preparation techniques. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination. Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability to: observe and document incident details accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places. Perform a variety of law enforcement activities including patrol functions and traffic regulation. Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances. Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials. Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs. Respond to crime and emergency scenes and take immediate and appropriate action. Take command while dealing with disorderly or emergency situations. Investigate crimes and inspect crime scenes to identify and collect potential and actual evidence. Operate specialized law enforcement equipment and vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. Maintain records and prepare clear and concise reports. Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed. Speak effectively before groups. Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals. Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments. Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth (12th) grade.

Licenses and Certifications: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license upon appointment. Possession of a valid Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate. Possession of a valid CPR certification. May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.

Physical Demands: Must maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and pursue and apprehend suspects, and vision to maintain firearms qualification. Work is primarily performed in the field requiring frequent walking and running on uneven terrain, climbing and descending structures to access crime scenes, pursue suspects on foot, and identify problems or hazards, and operation of a motor vehicle to perform patrol and pursuit duties and to visit various City sites and locations. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform duties. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions consistent with P.O.S.T. standards. Some duties