Police Officer

Police Officer

Performs and provides police services to the public with a commitment to the primary goals of protection of life, property, and maintenance of order. Protects the rights of all individuals. Performs limited administrative, supervisory, and leadership duties as assigned. An employee in this class participates in crime prevention activities, the arrest, apprehension, and prosecution of offenders, recovery of stolen and missing property, assistance to the sick and injured, enforcement of noncriminal ordinances and engages citizens to build community relationships and partnerships. An employee in this class effectively manages time and prioritizes efforts. The employee utilizes discretion in selecting which of several options is the best solution to the problem at hand and handles situations appropriately through effective communication, mediation, and interpersonal skills. The employee interacts with citizens and coworkers for input and feedback to meet specific goals and objectives through effective communication, mediation, and interpersonal skills, participates in decision-making activities, and interacts with citizens and coworkers for input and feedback. An employee in this class is subject to hazards associated with law enforcement including, but not limited to, working in unpredictable environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as dangerous persons, loud noises, hazardous material spills with fumes, oils, gasses or flammable liquids. As with any other police officer, the risk of exposure to infectious diseases and hazards includes exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Work is performed under general supervision. Work is evaluated in accordance with Town of Davidson policies, Department policies and procedures, local, state, and federal laws and ordinances, and directives or orders from superior officers.

Competencies

• The Police Officer demonstrates integrity and a strong desire to serve the public. Able to model commitment, build trust and unity, honor commitments, and treats everyone with dignity and respect.
• The Police Officer is flexible and able to modify plans and behavior when necessary to meet a goal. Remains effective when working with different people or is placed in various situations, tasks, and responsibilities.
• The Police Officer demonstrates initiative. A self-starter who works well without close supervision. The Police Officer maintains a positive attitude and works to maintain a healthy mental and physical condition in the stressful environment of the law enforcement profession. Works to actively increase their professional knowledge and assist others. Willing to originate activity rather than just respond to events. Generate new ideas to improve conditions and volunteers to work on difficult problems.
• The Police Officer demonstrates good judgment. They are able to make decisions on reliable information and logical assumptions. They can develop alternative courses of action. They consider the pros and cons along with the short- and long-term impact of an issue before making a decision. They consider the town's and department's values, goals, and mission; and gather input from multiple perspectives. They involve and inform the right people when making a decision.
• The Police Officer should be able to identify problems, analyze cause, and develop solutions. These are the basic elements of problem solving. A Police Officer must learn the skills and techniques to gather the relevant facts, separate antidotal information and collect useful data, and develop solutions involving all stakeholders. A Police Officer must develop the ability to identify trends and recognize relationships when it comes to solving crimes.
• The Police Officer must demonstrate good planning, time management, and organizing capabilities. A Police Officer plans accordingly for assigned work and court responsibilities; is able to use time well in carrying out responsibilities; schedule work to make sure everything gets done; ask for help if needed; and organizes the assigned vehicle and equipment in a neat, orderly manner for quick access.
• The Police Officer shall be responsible and accountable. They, him, or herself accountable for the quality, quantity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the work to be accomplished.

Duties and Responsibilities

A Patrol Officer will be involved in at least the following activities:

• Regularly conducts patrol throughout the Town and extra-territorial jurisdiction; responds and takes appropriate action on a wide range of calls for police service.
• Responds to calls for service and/or assistance related to a variety of requests which may include, but are not limited to, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, assaults, parking issues, and drug possession or overdose.
• Assist in the apprehension and arrest of law violators.
• Conducts initial investigations and some follow-up investigations for minor offenses.
• Prepares organized, detailed, and concise written documents and reports by hand and computer using proper grammar and spelling; uses the computer to search databases and perform research.
• Serves as backup to other officers as necessary.
• Investigaates traffic collisions, issues citations for state and local statutes, directs traffic, and/or participates in other emergency operation activities.
• Performs initial investigations of reported crimes, including but not limited to, documenting observations, interviewing involved parties and witnesses, documenting/preserving/collecting physical evidence, making arrests, and presenting case findings in court.
• Enforces local ordinances, and state and federal laws, issues citations or warnings, serves warrants, apprehends and processes criminal suspects with transports to a magistrate and/or County detention facility, and serves civil process as required.
• Assists with movement of vehicular traffic when necessary for school drop-off/release, accident scenes, special events, and as needed.
• Operates a two-way police radio to receive information from or to report information to other police officers, supervisors, or central communications (dispatch); maintains assigned vehicle, weapons, and all other Town and Department equipment in standard working order.
• Performs as a community liaison to solve problems, provides assistance, and builds relationships with all persons in the community.
• Performs functions and specialized skills based on an assignment such as attending shift briefings, attending training on and off-site, and practicing proper methods for preservation of evidence.
• Appears in court for testimony, attends meetings, works on projects, and gives presentations and lectures for officers and the public.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, local ordinances, and the policies and procedures of the Davidson Police Department. Knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment, especially as relates to community policing, problem-oriented policing, directed patrol, and conducting initial criminal investigations. Knowledge and understanding of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures. Skill in the use of firearms, other police equipment, and police tactics in the course of their duties as a police officer, including but not limited to, application of defensive tactics, collection/preservation/submission of evidence, surveillance/intelligence gathering as a uniformed officer, obtaining/executing arrest warrants, and conducting community engagement and traffic enforcement programs. Skill in public speaking and presentation, in effective writing and oral communication, in presenting effective court testimony, and in collaborative conflict resolution. Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations. Ability to prepare clear and concise incident and activity reports. Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with citizens, department staff, and town officials.

Physical Requirements

Sitting: To drive patrol car; work at the desk; attend meetings; review police officer's reports; write reports and prepare cases for prosecution, interview suspects, witnesses, and informants; perform other miscellaneous administrative duties. Walking/ Running: Frequently on asphalt; occasionally on all types of surfaces and terrain, including rough terrain, rock or uneven ground, or areas presenting obstacles such as alleys with garbage or debris. To patrol on foot, perform administrative and investigative functions, and respond to a variety of calls for service such as accidents, alarms, building searches, narcotics violations, crime scenes, and follow-up investigations. Navigate confined areas and streets with heavy traffic; and carpet and tile while working indoors. Lifting/ Carrying: Frequently, to collect evidence, move objects and equipment, traffic signs, tree limbs, guard rails, bumpers, and traffic barriers. May encounter many physical challenges daily. Although these are examples, they are not an absolute list. On rare occasions extricate victims from auto accidents and assist emergency service providers. Ground to overhead lift while wearing 18 pounds (belt and vest) of equipment on person. Occasionally lifts items weighing 75 (weights may vary) including larger recovered items, arrested subjects, etc. Handling: To restrain suspects; move objects, to drive, fuel vehicle, write/enter reports, operate radar unit, use audio/visual and tactical equipment, process crime scenes and maintain chain-of-custody of evidence, photograph suspects and evidence, provide first aid, and assist other emergence service providers. Fine Dexterity: Entering data via computer, writing reports, citations, loading and fire weapons, and operating issued and specialized equipment. To handle/examine evidence and take fingerprints. Vision: To drive vehicle, observe scenes, identify license plates at day /night (at close and distant range). Color acuity is required for the identification of clothing, features, and characteristics of suspects and vehicles. To complete paperwork; read, conduct inspections, direct traffic, use firearms