Police Officer

To perform routine, non-routine, and emergency law enforcement work including patrolling the City, responding to service calls, and performing investigations. Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class is responsible for performing general duty law enforcement work for the field operations bureau of the City’s Police Department. Work includes routine patrol, traffic accident and criminal investigation, police vehicle maintenance, serving criminal papers, traffic law enforcement, and responding to domestic disputes. This employee is highly visible in crime areas, and must be aggressive in preventing crime. Employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work including the potential for physical harm. Work is performed under the immediate supervision of the Patrol Sergeant and is evaluated for effectiveness, visibility, compliance with standards, public support, and attainment of performance objectives. Patrols high and low crime areas; talks to people in the community; checks security of buildings and residences; apprehends offenders Investigates traffic accidents; uses measurement devices and eye witness accounts to determine violators; assists motorists in filling out or exchanging insurance information Maintains readiness of police vehicle with fuel and air pressure Serves criminal papers; locates people under indictment; serves warrants, orders for arrest, and criminal summons Observes and follows people violating traffic laws, vehicle registrations and inspections laws, and other traffic offenses; enforces speed limits Conducts criminal investigations by gathering information, processing crime scenes, and interviewing witnesses Testifies in court Transports arrested personnel to correctional facility Provides field training and guidance in police work to less senior police officers Uses canines as a resource for locating drugs or other contraband and to apprehend suspects; conducts routine or specialized training of animal while on duty; maintains health and welfare of animal while off duty but in a paid capacity Responds to domestic situations; attempts to resolve conflict by recommending solutions Performs other related law enforcement work as required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, and procedures Knowledge of departmental standard operating policies and procedures, and federal, state, and local laws and ordinances Knowledge of practices, materials, techniques, and equipment pertinent to job assignment Knowledge of criminal human behavior when confronted with difficult situations Knowledge of effective communication practices including focused listening Knowledge of English grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary Knowledge of the operation and uses of personal computers including word processing and database software Skill in the use of firearms and other authorized law enforcement equipment Ability and willingness to act quickly and properly in emergency situations Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, and the general public Ability to express thoughts clearly both orally and in writing Ability to work varied shifts and assignments including undercover activity Ability to work independently without close supervision and as a member of a team Ability to take charge of emergency situations until relieved by a law enforcement superior Ability to develop a positive public image, exercise judgment in all situations, and demonstrate a positive attitude Education Graduation from high school; an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice is preferred Experience Prior law enforcement experience is desired Special Requirements Valid North Carolina Drivers’ License Must obtain the Basic Law Enforcement Certification (BLET) as a law enforcement officer by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission (required to be continuously employed) May require specific certifications in one or more areas of law enforcement such as a school resource officer, field training officer, K-9 officer, or other areas of law enforcement Physical Requirements Work in this class is defined as medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. When apprehending suspects who resist arrest, work is deemed as heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas or other information between individuals or groups. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines and motor vehicles, determining accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing surroundings. Employee must be able to demonstrate continued physical fitness to withstand the rigors of a law enforcement officer and potential physical confrontation with assailants and/or foot chases for apprehensions. Employee may be required to use deadly force to subdue an assailant or to protect themselves or others Working Conditions Employee is exposed to both inside and outside working conditions in all types of weather from extremes of cold and heat to rain/snow/ice as well as varying terrain from streets, dense foliage, dark buildings, and water. Employee may be exposed to noise which would cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. Work place conditions include operating vehicles for extended periods of time, working varied hours and shifts, and confronting violent persons many of whom have criminal records with little to no respect for law enforcement or who may be a threat to themselves or others. Work requires application of safety precautions and wearing of protective clothing, gloves, and body armor designed to minimize exposure to blood-borne pathogens, communicable diseases, and bodily harm We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to a workplace free from discrimination, in compliance with federal and North Carolina employment laws. The City of Havelock provides excellent compensation and benefits for its employees. Some of the benefits are listed below: Paid Holidays The City of Havelock provides up to nine (9) paid holidays per year for its regular employees. 11 total paid days. Health and Dental Insurance The city provides comprehensive major medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for all full-time employees. Employees may elect coverage for dependents at an additional cost through payroll deduction. Coverage begins after ninety (90) days of employment. The health insurance also includes a prescription plan. Workers' Compensation Insurance All City of Havelock employees are covered by the city for on-the-job injuries at no cost to the employee. Life Insurance/Short Term Disability Group Life insurance is provided to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. The amount of coverage is $40,000 Life and $40,000 AD&D. The City of Havelock also covers full-time employees with a short-term disability plan. Additional Insurance The City of Havelock makes several payroll deduction programs available to its employees who wish to participate in additional types of insurance programs; such as supplemental life, cancer, Hospital Indemnity Plan (HIP), accident, intensive care coverage and long-term disability. Local Government Retirement Plan Employees become members of the State Retirement System on the first day of employment. Membership is mandatory and requires a six percent (6%) contribution by the employee. The City of Havelock also makes a substantial contribution to each employee’s account. An employee becomes vested after five (5) years of creditable service in the retirement system. 401(k) Supplemental Retirement Plan 401(k) is a supplemental retirement program administered by Empower Retirement. Participation in the 401(k) program is an easy and voluntary way to accumulate money for retirement via payroll deduction. The City of Havelock makes contributions equal to 5% of salary to each employee’s retirement account. There is no match required. 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Employees may contribute a certain amount of their pay into the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. All contributions are pre-taxed. Civil Leave Regular employees who are called to jury duty or subpoenaed as a witness in a criminal or civil proceeding are granted up to two weeks of leave with pay. Sick Leave Employees earn approximately eight (8) sick leave hours per month, with no maximum accumulation. Upon retirement, each twenty (20) days of sick leave benefits may be applied toward retirement. Annual Leave Employees earn approximately eight (8) annual leave hours per month. Annual Leave is pro-rated according to years of service. The maximum accumulation of Annual Leave is 240 hours. Any accumulated annual leave balance over 240 hours, 318 hours for fire shift personnel, and 252 hours for police shift personnel. Hours above the amounts as of the end of the pay period which includes December 31st, will be converted to sick leave. Military Leave Regular employees who are members of any branch of the United States Armed Forces Reserves are granted up to ten (10) paid working days per calendar year for military training. During this period employees continue to earn and accrue benefits. Employees are entitled to all job rights specified by the USERRA. Funeral Leave Two days of funeral leave is granted to regular, full-time employees per occurrence for the death of the affected employee’s immediate family. Flexible Spending Account A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a great way for employees to save money to use toward medical and/or dependent care expenses. Every dollar contributed to a FSA is on a pre-tax basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr