Police Officer Recruit

Police Officer Recruit

The Police Officer Recruit is a non-sworn training position. An incumbent is required to complete a formal and comprehensive California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Basic Academy training program sponsored by the City of Downey. A full-time Basic Academy can be approximately four to six months. Upon completion of training and graduation from the Academy with acceptable class standing, a candidate is eligible for placement consideration in the position of sworn Police Officer with the City of Downey. The Academy provides training in basic criminal investigation processes and techniques; preparation of various reports; analysis of situations to make appropriate decisions under stressful situations; testify and present evidence in court, and practices and theory in criminal and civil law enforcement. A qualified candidate for the Police Recruit position must be prepared and available to attend a full-time Basic Academy.

While enrolled in the Police Basic Academy an incumbent must:

• Participate for successful completion in a prescribed law enforcement officer training program for entry level Police Officer, including training in report writing, laws of arrest and seizure, defensive driving, California Vehicle and Penal Codes, officer survival, and physical fitness.
• Maintain standards of mental and physical fitness throughout the training program.
• Maintain acceptable class standing and adhere to professional conduct.

Following graduation from the Academy and upon appointment to the position, essential duties include:

• Upon completion of the Academy, sworn police officer will be assigned to a 22-week POST approved Field Training program. During the field training process, the employee must show proficiency in City orientation, patrol and safety tactics, traffic enforcement, applicable laws, departmental policies and procedures and other police related functions.
• Patrols assigned area in patrol car to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes, and to enforce traffic regulations; responds to calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, robberies, disturbances, and other misdemeanors and felonies, and take necessary police action; make arrests; take charge of, and guide and direct the work of other law enforcement personnel in various situations until relieved by a supervisor officer.
• Conducts motor vehicle accident investigations; provides first aid for injured persons, and take safeguards to prevent further accidents; interviews principals and witnesses; takes written statements and examines conditions of accident scene; and clears or directs clearing of obstructions and wreckage.
• Investigates crimes against persons and property; interviews victims and witnesses; searches for, evaluates and secures/collects evidence; and arrests suspected perpetrator(s).
• Investigates complaints involving juveniles, including reports of child neglect and persons reported to be contributing to the delinquency of minors; checks business establishments and public places known to be frequented by juveniles; and arrests juvenile and adult offenders.
• Processes warrants and apprehends or assists in the apprehension of wanted persons by court orders or actions in criminal cases.
• Maintains knowledge of local ordinances and state laws, rules of evidence for criminal cases, crime prevention techniques, current investigation techniques, traffic control techniques, care and custody of persons and property.
• Prepares and submits required reports and provides assistance, information, and directions to the public.

Successfully complete the City of Downey Police Department Field Training Program; requires the ability to meet and maintain POST physical standards; possess analytical and decision making skills and ability to identify problems, weigh solutions, recognize alternatives and their implications independently and quickly; possess interpersonal skills to effectively interact with those encountered in the performance of duties, specifically within a diverse population, including surrounding communities; skill in speaking clearly using appropriate vocabulary to provide information and relate evidence in court; ability to exercise authority in both physical and verbal actions in activities which may involve hostility and resistance; skill and ability to write accurate and descriptive reports; and, skill in using a personal computer and keyboard. Ability to learn and maintain acceptable working knowledge, including safety considerations on the operation and use of assigned equipment and tools required in the performance of duties.

Due to the performance of field patrol duties, possession of a valid California Driver's License and possession of an acceptable driving record and the ability to maintain a valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record during the course of employment is required.

High school diploma or equivalent

21 years of age upon appointment

Of good moral character and free of felony convictions

Legally authorized to work in the United States

No previous law enforcement experience or Police Academy training required. High school diploma or equivalent required. Completed formal education or coursework in criminal justice or a related field that provides knowledge or exposure to law enforcement or public safety service is helpful.

Work is performed both inside and outside in seasonal climate and weather conditions. Exposure to slippery surfaces, oily conditions, dust, dirt, and odors are conditions frequently encountered. An incumbent must constantly work with noise from traffic and police radio. Position requires ability to work in cramped spaces or run, jump, vault or climb as needed to apprehend a suspect. An incumbent must be available to work weekends, evenings, holidays, on-call and overtime. Physical demands include constant arm and leg movements for driving, walking, standing, and sitting for short and prolonged periods of time, bending, stooping, lifting, running, jumping, leaning, squatting, climbing, crouching, kneeling, crawling, turning, and twisting. The ability to safely push, pull, carry, drag up to 100 pounds with or without assistance is required. The ability to reach above and below shoulder level; both light and firm grasping; finger dexterity to hold and handle a revolver and pull the trigger, operate a computer terminal or keyboard, operate patrol vehicle controls switches for lights, sirens or public address system, and to manually check weapons or perform safety checks to maintain operational condition is required. To operate a police vehicle, foot manipulation to operate accelerator or brake pedals with the right or left foot or to use the foot as an aide to control suspect's foot while patting down a suspect is required. The ability to feel for patting down suspect's body, to determine level of warmth to test or confirm evidence of fire, or feel body for warmth or pulse, seeing, hearing, seeing, and smelling is required. The ability to see with both eyes (correctable to 20/20), including the ability to distinguish colors; ability to hear within normal limits, speak, and smell. The ability to talk to order suspects to halt and to drop any weapons, to communicate and warn other officers of a dangerous situation, to conduct field interviews with suspects or witnesses, and to talk on the police radio to indicate status of incident and other vital details is required. Physical duties of the position may expose an incumbent to blood, other bodily fluids, or communicable diseases.

In an effort to promote wellness, the City of Downey Police Department prohibits safety employees from the use of tobacco products either on or off the job. An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides the City of Downey information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.