Police Officer (Certified)

Police Officer

The purpose of this classification is to provide protection of life and property, enforcement of federal, state and local laws, response to emergency/non-emergency situations, investigation of criminal activity, and specialized duties within an assigned division/unit which may include the Road Patrol Unit, Traffic Unit, Marine Unit, or other area.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Enforces all applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations (including traffic, criminal and civil) in order to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.

Patrols designated areas via motor vehicle, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle, wave runner, boat, motorcycle, or on foot to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations; inspects doors, windows, and premises of residential/commercial buildings/properties to ensure security or to detect suspicious conditions; responds to active alarms at residences, businesses, and industries; checks suspicious vehicles, persons, or situations; maintains high visibility in the community.

Responds to calls relayed by dispatchers, including domestic disputes, abuse, assaults, rape, burglaries, thefts, fatalities, abduction, lost/missing persons, search/rescue operations, traffic accidents, property damage, alarms, bomb threats, natural disasters, public service duties, stranded motorists, or other problem situations.

Prevents/discovers commission of crime; writes citations; apprehends, arrests, and processes criminals, fugitives and offenders; pursues fleeing suspects; conducts searches of suspects or arrestees.

Conducts preliminary investigations of complaints or incidents; interviews victims, complainant and witnesses and records statements; gathers information and evidence; secures crime scenes and protects integrity of evidence; prepares detailed reports and sketches.

Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, which may include lifting, dragging or carrying people away from dangerous situations, securing/evacuating people from particular areas, administering CPR or first aid, or extinguishing small fires.

Enforces vehicle operating laws, parking laws, and DUI laws; conducts sobriety tests; uses visual observation and radar/laser speed detection units to enforce speed laws.

Responds to traffic accidents/complaints; investigates collisions/accidents involving fatalities, personal injuries, and hit-and-run drivers; measures accident scenes and makes drawings of accidents; reviews evidence, reconstructs accidents, and makes recommendations; investigates traffic hazards; coordinates removal of debris or other hazards from roadways.

Provides traffic control, crowd control, police protection, or security escorts for accident scenes, malfunctioning traffic signals, special events, funerals, businesses, or other situations as appropriate.

Transports arrestees, inmates, mental patients, members of the general public, or other individuals as required.

Makes fingerprint records of arrestees or other individuals.

Participates in court activities; responds to court subpoenas; prepares case files and evidence for court presentation; testifies and presents evidence during court.

Provides assistance or backup support to other officers, emergency medical providers, fire department personnel, probation department personnel, state/federal law enforcement agencies, other law enforcement agencies, or other public service agencies; provides emergency response on a twenty-four hour basis as needed.

Operates a variety of standard and specialized machinery, equipment, and tools associated with law enforcement, which may include a police vehicle, standard/emergency vehicles, police boat, wave runner, all terrain vehicle, bicycle, trailer, firearms, chemical weapons, emergency equipment, global positioning system, navigational radar system, radar/laser equipment, scuba diving equipment, alcohol testing equipment, drug testing kits, processing kits, handcuffs, baton, flashlight, fire extinguisher, measuring devices, photographic equipment, tape recorder, radio/communications equipment, telephone, hand tools, or general office equipment.

Inspects and maintains assigned police vehicle, bicycle, boat, all terrain vehicle, wave runner, uniform, weapons, or other equipment.

Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; performs driving functions in a safe and efficient manner under various conditions, including day/night hours, in congested traffic, in adverse weather conditions, and in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, incident reports, accident reports, narratives, miscellaneous reports, missing person reports, vehicle reports, vessel boarding report, rough arrest reports, probable cause affidavits, citations, warnings, property/evidence reports, record request forms, diagrams, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, incident reports, accident reports, witness statements, property receipts, criminal history reports, driver history reports, BOLO notices, subpoenas, crime statistics, training bulletins, general orders, statutes, laws, codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, maps, diagrams, bulletins, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; utilizes word processing, database, spreadsheet, or other computer programs.

Maintains records, logs, and files of work activities; maintains current manuals, policies/procedures, bulletins, map books, and other materials for reference and/or review.

Communicates in person, via telephone, and/or via two-way radio; provides information and assistance; responds to requests for service or assistance; communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.

Communicates with supervisors, officers, employees, dispatchers, other divisions/departments, law enforcement agencies, fire personnel, emergency/medical personnel, jail personnel, court officials, attorneys, victims, complainants, prisoners, suspects, boat operators/passengers, the public, the media, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to obtain information, coordinate activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Responds to complaints and questions related to law enforcement issues and activities; mediates disputes; provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution.

Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public; maintains and promotes peace and order in the community; provides education and information to the public on laws, law enforcement, crime prevention, drug abuse, safety, and related issues.

Attends shift meetings, training sessions and seminars as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations/activities, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law; participates in physical fitness training and continuing education activities; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations.

Assignment to Marine Unit may involve the following additional tasks :

Operates a police boat to patrol waterways; plots navigational courses; enforces state/local marine laws pertaining to boat safety, reckless operations, and boating under the influence; conducts boating safety inspections.

Conducts vessel search/rescue operations, which may include scuba diving, recovery of evidence, body recovery, vehicle recovery, underwater investigations, underwater photography, or other activities; assists stranded boaters.

Inspects, cleans, and maintains police boat and related equipment.

Provides budgetary input for expenditures relating to marine unit equipment.

Assignment to Traffic Unit may involve the following additional tasks :

Enforces vehicle operating laws, parking laws, and DUI laws; conducts sobriety tests; uses visual observation and radar/laser speed detection units to enforce speed laws.

Responds to traffic accidents/complaints; investigates collisions/accidents involving fatalities, personal injuries, and hit-and-run drivers; measures accident scenes and makes drawings of accidents; reviews evidence, reconstructs accidents, and makes recommendations; investigates traffic hazards; coordinates removal of debris or other hazards from roadways.

Provides traffic control, crowd control, police protection, or security escorts for accident scenes, malfunctioning traffic signals, special events, funerals, businesses, or other situations as appropriate.

Operates, inspects, and maintains assigned police motorcycle to conduct patrol or other work activities.

Conducts investigations of motor vehicle accidents involving homicides, fatalities, or serious injury; conducts accident reconstruction; identifies cause and effect; makes basic speed calculations and calculations of speed through momentum.

Conducts school crossings and traffic stops.

Assignment to Community Activities Unit may involve the following additional tasks :

Administers special programs such as anti-auto theft, bicycle safety, child safety, crime prevention, drug/gang prevention, juvenile crime intervention, or elderly services programs.

Participates in community education activities; conducts presentations, puppet shows, McGruff the Crime Dog appearances, and tours of police facilities; drafts/prepares community notification documents, public service announcements, crime prevention articles, flyers,