Police Officer - Academy Graduate

Police Officer Position

The Police Officer position with the Town of Truckee offers an opportunity to serve and protect one of California's most vibrant mountain communities. Located in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, Truckee is known for its strong community values, year-round tourism, and active outdoor lifestyle. Given Truckee's seasonal population fluctuations and winter weather conditions, officers must demonstrate adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in diverse and sometimes challenging environments. This position offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a close-knit mountain community.

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and community-based policing duties involving crime prevention and investigation, protection of life and property, and enforcement of laws, codes, and ordinances; responds to various emergencies and calls for service; performs investigations and assists in the preparation of cases; provides information and assistance to the public; participates in community relations activities; and performs related duties as assigned.

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

This is the journey-level classification in the sworn Police Officer series responsible for performing a wide variety of community-based law enforcement duties in support of the Police Department. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Examples Of Typical Job Functions (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs a variety of patrol and community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of identifying and deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, identifying and resolving community issues and problems, and providing assistance to the public.
• Using a variety of methods, patrols an area of the Town to observe and address suspicious or potential criminal activity; responds to emergency calls for service, including, but not limited to, disturbances, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, deaths, and other incidents to protect public safety, life, and property; resolves problems and diffuses situations; enforces state and local laws, ordinances, and codes.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Observes, monitors, and controls traffic; stops and warns motorists or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for removal of vehicles; provides traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or as needed.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; conducts comprehensive investigations; 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.
• Prepares reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed; prepares and maintains other related reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Represents the Town and the Police Department in special projects, public presentations, youth, and other community activities.
• Reviews local and regional crime trends for potential links and identifies trends; communicates with outside agencies to share and/or obtain information regarding investigations.
• Works with school administrators, teachers, counselors, and students to keep students safe, identify and resolve issues on campus, and prevent and investigate crime.
• Provides initial medical assistance and first aid to injured persons as necessary.
• Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, conferences, workshops, committees, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in law enforcement.
• Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.
• Prepares cases for trial; testifies and presents evidence in court; coordinates activities of pre-trial investigation and preparation for the District Attorney's Office.
• Researches, develops, and implements special programs as assigned; conducts training, education, and demonstrations.
• Provides training to less experienced Officers as assigned; acts as the Officer in Charge as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Functions and services of a contemporary community-based full-service municipal police department.
• 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 transport of suspects.
• Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Modern investigative methods including interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Safety practices, safe use, proper care, and operational characteristics of vehicles and equipment used in law enforcement.
• Methods and techniques of preparing police reports and related documentation.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to police work.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Techniques for effectively representing the Town in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Town 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, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate the highest level of integrity, fairness, and candor in a manner that results in an organizational reputation that people can trust and rely upon the employees of the Truckee Police Department; implement an organizational philosophy with an emphasis on community-based services and enforcement efforts.
• Perform law enforcement duties within an assigned program area to ensure the protection and safety of life and property.
• Work with a diverse community and implement community-based policing and problem-solving consistent with the stated philosophy of the department; show compassion and build commitment to different approaches to police services.
• Pursue, apprehend, and subdue suspects in accordance with mandated procedures.
• Observe accurately, recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Process crime scenes and maintain chain of custody of evidence.
• Conduct effective interviews with victims and witnesses; interrogate suspects; summarize and document interviews and interrogations.
• Make sound, independent decisions in non-emergency and emergency situations.
• Understand, interpret, apply, and ensure adherence with all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Learn Town and County geography, maps, streets, landmarks, and driving directions.
• Operate the equipment, firearms, and emergency vehicles in a safe, legal, and responsible manner and under stressful conditions.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate records and files of work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the Town in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• 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 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.
• Apply and uphold the Town-wide and departmental goals and the Town Employee values of Integrity, Teamwork, Accountability, Commitment, and Excellence.
• Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of Town staff and community served.