Police Officer

Police Officer

Under the general supervision of the Police Sergeant, performs general public duties by enforcing laws and ordinances and providing assistance to the general public for the City of Cocoa. The Police Officer patrols assigned areas in a police cruiser, on foot, or by whatever means necessary, responds to all calls for assistance from the general public, conducts routine investigations of suspected criminal activities, interviews victims and suspects as required, and responds to emergency and routine traffic problems. Employee is responsible for issuing citations and making arrests as warranted, writes reports on all assigned calls, testifies in court as required, renders first aid as needed, and maintains constant radio communication with dispatch.

Essential Job Functions

• Patrols assigned area in police cruiser; maintains radio contact with Dispatch and supervisor, reports unusual or suspicious incidents, which may require police attention, checks buildings for suspicious open doors and windows, and responds to call or initiates action as appropriate.
• Responds to calls involving criminal violations, secures scene to restore peace and protect evidence, calls for assistance as needed, interviews complainants and witnesses, makes arrests, searches suspects for weapons and evidence and advises suspects of rights, seizes contraband and stolen property, transports suspects to the police department, interrogates suspects to complete booking forms, writes police reports, and testifies in court as needed.
• Conducts routine follow-up investigations of assigned cases, interviews victims, witnesses, informants and other sources of information, and conducts surveillance and stakeout.
• Responds to calls involving major traffic accidents, fires and other accidents or disasters, secures scene to protect victims and property, and gives first aid and calls for medical assistance.
• Issues traffic summons if appropriate, issues warnings and parking tickets, and writes police reports.
• The majority of position duties are required to be performed on-site.
• Directs traffic at special events and at congested intersections and escorts funerals and VIPs traveling through the city.
• Performs problem solving policing functions during daily duties.
• Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared or undeclared emergency.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of department rules and regulations, department written directives, police report writing, and law enforcement procedures and operations. Knowledge of federal, state and city criminal laws and ordinances and criminal justice system operations. Skill in the use of a variety of computer programs, including Microsoft Office, and various other office equipment. Ability to define problems, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to write technical reports and correspondence, observe and record events accurately and completely, and pay attention to details. Ability to read wide range of technical literature. Ability to handle routine public contacts and maintain a sense of personal integrity. Ability to follow verbal directions with little or no supervision. Ability to maintain physical fitness.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED certificate, a graduate of an accredited law enforcement academy. For positions requiring the operation of City vehicles, must possess a valid current Florida driver's license, or be able to acquire one within 45 days of hire. Must be capable of passing a comprehensive background investigation, including but not limited to a polygraph/CVSA, physical and a drug screen. Must complete and pass the Field Training Program.

Essential Physical Skills

The work is generally medium and may require exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and up to 50 pounds of force frequently to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Ability to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces.
• Climbing: Ability to ascend or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, and poles, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.
• Crawling: Ability to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: Ability to frequently bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Kneeling: Ability to frequently bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Ability to frequently lift and move objects
• Dexterity: Primarily with fingers, as in picking, pinching, or typing
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions.
• Pulling / Pushing: Ability to occasionally move objects up to 100 pounds.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking / Talking: Ability to communicate clearly, accurately and concisely through speech.
• Standing: Ability to stand for sustained periods of time.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading, operating motor vehicles; including color, depth perception, and field vision.
• Walking: Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances and for moving from one work site to another.

Work is performed in an environment, with multiple physical hazards, requiring regular decision-making that could lead to major community or organizational consequences if timely and appropriate decisions are not made.