Police Officer

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The following is intended only as an illustration of the various types of work performed, skills and expertise required, equipment used, and special requirements and conditions. The omission of specific duties, skills, etc., does not exclude them from the position if they are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The tasks listed below represent most of the time spent working in this position. Supervisor may assign additional tasks within the scope of this classification as necessary.

• Work any post, assignment, or shift to support the 24- hour per day, 7- day a week operation. This includes nights, weekends, and holidays; and when the need arises, adjust their schedule to accomplish a mission or operational need.
• Effectively perform duties on a routine basis where at any time the employee may need to respond to calls involving stressful, traumatic, dangerous, and unpredictable situations.

• Detect, deter, investigate, and stop criminal activity. This includes:
  

1. Patrolling assigned area via vehicle, bicycle, ATV, or on foot.
2. Using verbal persuasion to encourage compliance.
3. Performing crowd/riot control.
4. Conducting surveillance.
5. Interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects.
6. Identifying and collecting/seizing evidence, property, and contraband.
7. Detaining, searching, arresting, and transporting potentially violent suspects.
8. Applying sound judgement to respond with a level of force appropriate to the situation at hand.
9. Potentially using lethal and non-lethal equipment.
10. Operating a vehicle at high speeds, in pursuits or emergencies, in a variety of traffic and weather conditions.
11. Perform routine security checks of businesses or locations of specific or special concern.

• Monitor and enforce traffic activity. This includes:

1. Observing traffic.
2. Identifying, citing, arresting, and booking violators.
3. Conducting traffic stops and roadside sobriety tests.
4. Directing traffic.
5. Securing, managing, and investigating traffic accident scenes and hazardous roadway conditions.
6. Issuing traffic citations or warning to violators of traffic laws.

• Protect, serve, and earn the trust and respect of the community. This includes:

1. Maintaining a professional appearance and attitude at all times.
2. Resolving disputes and disturbances.
3. Working with the community and community groups to reduce crime.
4. Addressing community concerns.
5. Interacting with, assisting, and possibly transporting incapacitated persons, vulnerable persons, or persons in need of emergency assistance.
6. Functioning as a first responder in all regards, including providing lifesaving support, such as first aid or CPR, when necessary.

• Make an arrest, including the ability to physically handcuff a suspect.
• Investigates felonies and ascertains probable cause in compliance with federal, state and local laws an ordinance for the arrest of felons or issuance of warrants to perpetrators of felonies.
• Investigates misdemeanors and ascertains probable cause in adherence to federal, state, and local laws and ordinances for the arrest of misdemeanors or issuance of court summons for perpetrators of misdemeanors.
• Remains abreast of all federal and state laws and ordinances of the City of Apopka.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Must possess a working knowledge of federal and state statutes (criminal laws), traffic laws, and applicable local laws and ordinances; rules of evidence and laws governing custody of persons; investigative and crime prevention methods; City and department rules, regulations, and policies; the geography of the city and the location of important buildings.
• Knowledge of legal rights of accused persons and law enforcement.
• Knowledge of general social problems and cultural diversity of the public
• Knowledge of modern police methods, practices, and procedures.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Ability to remain courteous and professional in the performance of duties under stressful conditions.
• Able to analyze problems that arise on the job and recommend solutions.
• Able to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and provide complete details in all criminal and civil investigations.
• Ability to make mathematical computations accurately.
• Ability to maintain physical fitness for the performance of duty. (Additional requirements may be mandatory for participating in units such as K-9, Bike, SWAT, etc., where more physical activities or extreme working conditions are necessary to perform their functions).
• Ability to operate a computer terminal, teletype, telephone, typewriters, copy and fax machines, and other related office equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or recognized equivalent certification
• Associate of Arts Degree of an Associate of Science Degree is preferred
• Certification from the Police Standards and Training Commission.
• Successful completion of the Field Training Program
• Valid Florida driver's license.
• Successful completion and maintenance of proficiency with firearms

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Computer terminal, teletype, telephone, typewriters, copy and fax machines, and other related office equipment.
• Motor vehicle, police radio, law enforcement weapons and firearms, handcuffs, fire extinguishers, first aid and bio-hazard kits, and moving traffic monitor trailers and stationary speed detection devices (upon appropriate training).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• While performing duties, tasks involve the intermittent performance of extremely physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, climbing, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of extremely heavy objects (50+ pounds), such as in the event of chasing and subduing a suspect resisting arrest.
• Some tasks are performed with potential for intermittent exposure to disagreeable elements including, but not limited to, heat, humidity, inclement weather, loud noise, toxic/chemical agents, electrical currents, pathogens, violent behavior, weapons, explosives, traffic and animals.
• Tasks include working around moving parts, vehicles, equipment, carts, and materials handling, where extremely heightened awareness to surroundings and environment is essential in the preservation of life and property.

• Standard body gear and equipment applies in the preservation of life and property, as does special equipment based on assignment including, but not limited to, various types of body armor and safety gear.
• Requires ability to defend one's self from assault and to restrain suspects of varying weights.

JOB LOCATION

Apopka Police Department, all City owned buildings/property, parks, grounds and recreation facilities. Any off-site locations and facilities utilized as part of the City's participation or involvement in an event, activity or job assignment. Occasional travel to meetings, conferences, and seminars/training schools will be required as a part of the employee's development and training.

DISCLAIMER:

The City of Apopka reserves the right to fill positions prior to the closing date and also reserves the right to close the posting prior to the date indicated. Positions will be filled by competitive selection from among categories of qualified and available candidates. It is the policy of the City of Apopka to give first consideration to all employees and other internal applicants prior to considering external (outside) applicants. Applicants should expect a starting salary at the minimum of the pay grade range; applicants with exceptional qualifications and/or experience may be eligible for a rate of pay which is higher than the range minimum upon approval by Administration. Your social security number is requested for the purpose of payroll eligibility verification, processing employment benefits, applicant and employee background checks, and income reporting and will be used solely for those purposes. The City of Apopka participates in E-Verify. Employers are required by federal law to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. We utilize the E-Verify system to process our new hires. We provide information to the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with Information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Apopka is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recognizes a moral, ethical, and legal responsibility to provide fair and equitable consideration of applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, sexual orientation, of other non-job-related factors. As such, the City of Apopka affirms its commitment to a policy not only of nondiscrimination, but also to a process of equal employment opportunity in all departments of City government to ensure that employment is extended to all qualified persons. When requested, the City of Apopka will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We comply with all applicable laws and actively promote fairness and equity in our employment practices.

ADA Statement: The City of Apopka is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to achieving excellence and strength through diversity. The City seeks a wide range of applicants for its positions so that one of our core values, a qualified and diverse workforce, will be affirmed. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requires the City to provide reasonable invited to discuss accommodations.