Lateral Police Officer

Description

JOB SUMMARY (Short Narrative of Job Duties): This is a full-time, experienced position as a municipal police officer with a full-service, community-oriented police department. The incumbent conducts law enforcement and peacekeeping activities. The applicant demonstrates strong community involvement, using problem-solving to address key issues. The person in this position is responsible for crime prevention and repression, traffic law enforcement, protective patrol services, arbitration in neighborhood and family disputes, apprehension and arrest (or citation or warning) of criminal law violators and recovery of stolen property. Training is provided; normal work hours during training are M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Training scheduling may include evenings, weekends and holidays on an as-needed basis. Once trained, normal work days rotate, based on 11 hour days. Officers do not work rotating shifts, meaning no rotations between days and evenings. Regular scheduling may include weekends and holidays.
Example of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties are considered necessary for this job classification.
*Patrol the assigned area of the City in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot *Enforce local, state, and Federal laws *Respond to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other required emergencies *Prepare reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed *Conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths *Make arrests *Interrogate suspects and interview victims, complainants, and witnesses *Coordinate and conduct detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations *Testify and present evidence in court *Provide backup assistance for other officers and personnel *Collect, preserve, and maintain evidence, found property, and property for safekeeping *Assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws by issuing citations and warnings *Search, fingerprint, and transport prisoners *Respond to demonstrations, riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and other highly hazardous situations *Maintain contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the public *Serve warrants and subpoenas *Observe, monitor, direct, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions *Check buildings for physical security *Administer first aid. In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties Section, each employee in this classification may perform the following duties. No single position is required to perform all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. *Perform undercover and surveillance activities *Develop and maintain good relationships with informants and contacts, which may be helpful in criminal investigations *Prepare search and arrest warrants *Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses *Make presentations to citizens and groups *Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties *May serve as a member of a Special Response Team *May serve as Field Training Officer, supervising and training new personnel *Coordinate departmental training programs *Prepare, submit, and administer grants *Conduct specialized crime prevention programs *Seize assets through the preparation and service of asset seizure documentation *Provide training for department personnel in such areas as defensive tactics, use of firearms, defensive driving, crowd control, use of chemical agents, and other specialized functions *Collect, analyze, and disseminate criminal street gang information *Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations. Work is performed independently in accordance with departmental policies, rules, standard practice, and established precedent. Incumbents work under infrequent supervision. Deviations from policy are usually referred to the next higher command level; however, the incumbent may have to evaluate and initiate action if command-level direction is not available. Work involves an element of personal danger and the authority to use deadly force as necessary.
Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: *High School Diploma or GED *Be (1) a citizen or (2) a permanent legal resident of the United States and an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, provided that the individual has applied to obtain U.S. citizenship and the application is still pending approval. *Possess physical ability to pass the agility components of the selection process *Be able to complete a written examination and oral interview successfully, *Possess physical and mental ability to meet medical, drug, and psychological screening requirements *Possess an excellent moral character and background that will withstand a comprehensive background investigation, and subsequent polygraph(s)

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: *Must possess current police officer certification through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC), or be eligible for recertification through MPCTC as an officer within three years of separation. *Possess a valid Driver's License (at least equivalent to Maryland Class C)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS/SKILLS: *Pass in-depth background investigation. *Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places *Demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of firearms *Think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately *Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations *Learn, understand, and interpret laws, rules, regulations, and policies *Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. *Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports *Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system *Demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics *Handle an automobile at high speeds and in emergencies *Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work *Ability to follow verbal and written instructions *Ability to speak effectively to individuals and groups *Understand and carry out oral and written directions *Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times. OTHER DESIRABLES: *Bilingual *College Degree
Physical Requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions . *Make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand position, such as when sighting and shooting a firearm *Direct traffic, which requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand movements *Use sufficient strength to enable the incumbent to sprint, jump, or physically overcome resistance when chasing or apprehending suspects *Coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously, such as when using a hand radio while driving a vehicle or searching a building with a firearm drawn, flashlight on, and opening and closing doors *Bend or stoop repeatedly and continuously over time, such as getting in and out of a patrol car or gathering evidence at crime scenes *Patrol officers wear a 15-20 pound utility/gun belt, which requires continuous support from the stomach and lower back muscles *A patrol officer typically spends 7 - 8 hours per day driving a vehicle, which requires the continuous support of lower back muscles *Climbing ladders and searching rooftops requires lifting arms above shoulder level and working at heights greater than ten feet *Searching for suspects or lost persons may require walking over rough, uneven, slippery, or rocky surfaces, including fields, parks, hillsides, and creeks *An officer is required to listen for alarms, screams, breaking glass, or other suspicious and unusual noises that may require investigation *Move heavy objects such as equipment (50 pounds and more), and lift and carry injured or intoxicated persons short and long distances *Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements; tolerate very hot and frigid temperatures *Sit for extended periods of time and may or may not be able to change positions, such as when sitting in a patrol vehicle, or performing surveillance *Foot beat and search activities require walking for extended periods of time, unable to stop, sit, or rest at will *Crowd and traffic control duties require standing for extended periods of time, and the employee is unable to sit or rest at will. WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITION: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.