Lateral Police Officer

Police Officer

Must be 20+ years old to qualify. This position is for LATERAL Police Officers Only. Please read minimum qualifications. Police Officers perform general policing functions intended to ensure the safety and security of lives and property within the City. Activities include patrol, traffic enforcement, and investigative duties. Officers work under the general supervision of a Sergeant and are assigned to a particular area of the City. Officers may be assigned to special activities or projects on an ongoing or short-term basis (e.g., crime prevention, investigations, school resource officer, etc.). The work performed involves a considerable risk to personal safety for self and others and requires quick decision-making when determining the appropriate action to take in a given situation. While much of this work is performed independently and without the immediate presence of a supervisor, incumbents are required to draw upon their extensive training and the department's procedural guidelines, mandates, and laws governing an officer's response and conduct when determining the appropriate action to take in a particular situation. Officers are subject to call back at most times. Officers may respond to situations outside of Fargo and across state lines when called in for mutual aid.

Primary Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assigned to a designated area of the City to enforce all laws and regulations, to provide security, to detect violators, and to develop positive relationships with residents, businesses, schools, and students in assigned neighborhoods. Coordinates the services of different governmental and private agencies to resolve identified problems.
1. Discourages violations by being visible and present in the community;
2. Observes unusual activity; attempts to intervene in situations to prevent violations;
3. Issues warnings or citations for violations both criminal and non-criminal;
4. Detains and conducts interviews and arrests of persons violating the law as indicated by the nature of the offense and as guided by policy and circumstances;
5. Enforces traffic laws;
   1. Operates radar or other speed measuring devices;
   2. Administers tests and transports intoxicated persons to jail or a detox facility or a designated facility where blood tests can be obtained;
   3. Observes drivers and vehicles and intervenes as necessary to correct illegal or unsafe conditions.
6. Conducts periodic security checks of businesses and other facilities.
2. Receives, prioritizes and responds to non-emergency calls.
   1. Responds to complaints, accidents, disturbances and/or requests for police assistance;
   2. Assesses each situation and determines the most appropriate response in order to prevent potentially dangerous or violent situations from occurring or continuing.
3. Responds to emergency situations such as accidents, medical emergencies, fire scenes and other emergencies, and performs various other tasks to secure the scene and assist other emergency personnel.
   1. Provides first aid to injured persons, as necessary, until medical personnel are available;
   2. Handles crowd control, directs traffic, clears access routes, escorts emergency vehicles, contacts tow trucks, etc.;
   3. Preserves and/or collects evidence as indicated by the circumstances.
4. Conducts detailed investigations of criminal activities and public safety incidents.
   1. Secures crime scene;
   2. Gathers, secures, documents, and analyzes evidence; maintains chain-of-custody;
   3. Interviews witnesses and victims and records pertinent information;
   4. Provides input and documentation to other investigators as needed;
   5. Analyzes problems, researches solutions;
   6. Coordinates investigative information with others both inside and outside the department.
5. Participates as a team member with officers, supervisors and citizens to identify and prioritize problems, develop and implement solutions, and evaluate results. Organizes resources within the community, the police department and other agencies to reduce crime and meet the appropriate needs of the community. Works toward building partnerships with citizens, service providers, other agencies, etc.
   1. Develops and conducts crime prevention activities in assigned neighborhood;
   2. Serves as a resource to organizations, committees and groups that affect neighborhood issues;
   3. Conducts presentations on topics identified as concerns or problems to neighborhood and civic groups;
   4. Researches and develops materials for preparing literature, citizen training programs, in-service training programs, and other educational information.
6. Maintains records of activities and prepares reports to provide information to investigators and/or prosecutors.
   1. Completes reports of accidents, injuries, and property damage losses;
   2. Submits reports for supervisor's review.
7. Testifies in court proceedings to present evidence and to give personal account of incident/crime as needed.
   1. Consults with prosecuting attorneys and investigators regarding cases;
   2. Prepares necessary reports, logs, and other documents as required.
8. Maintains firearms and other equipment issued.
9. Attends all required training classes and completes testing, certifications as required.
10. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
    1. Knows and follows department and city policies as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
    2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
    3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
11. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
    1. Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
    2. Successfully negotiates between parties to achieve a work-related objective.
12. Performs other duties, activities, and/or special assignments as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Have successfully completed a law enforcement skills academy and be North Dakota POST licensed, or hold an out-of-state peace officer license. A minimum of three years' employment as a full-time sworn law enforcement officer in a local, state, or federal capacity, performing law enforcement patrol and/or investigative functions and enforcing local, state, and federal ordinances and statutes. The job requires sixty semester or ninety quarter credits of post-high school education at an accredited college, university, or technical school to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Military service may be used in lieu of the education requirement. To qualify, the applicant must have completed at least four years of full-time active-duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an Honorable Discharge. Acceptable documentation includes a DD Form 214 (Member 4 copy) verifying both the length of active service and the character of discharge. Requires passing pre-employment assessments and tests. A valid State of North Dakota peace officer license must be acquired upon hire or as determined by the department and a valid driver's license is also required. Knowledge, skills, and abilities required:

• Knowledge of current police procedures and techniques and their appropriate application in various situations;
• Knowledge of basic first aid/life saving techniques;
• Knowledge of principles of investigation;
• Knowledge of city ordinances, state and federal laws, regulations and codes relating to law enforcement activities and criminal law;
• Specialized certification may be required for specialized areas of training, e.g., State Firearms Certification;
• Skill in effective and proper operation and maintenance of various weaponry/equipment used in police activities and the ability to complete required in-service firearms training and scheduled qualification;
• Basic computer skills;
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and have good public relations skills;
• Ability to work independently;
• Ability to manage time effectively;
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.

Physical Demands

Physical Demands & Working Conditions: Most of the time is spent in the field on patrol. Incumbent is required to carry a firearm, take appropriate safety precautions and