Police Officer

Police Officer

The Police Officer is responsible for the protection of life and property, prevention of crimes, apprehension of criminals, and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances. Duties normally consist of routine patrol, preliminary investigations, and traffic regulation in order to provide a safe environment for citizens and visitors. Must respond and engage in calls for service, ranging from friendly assists to highly stressful and dangerous situations. In certain cases as assigned, the incumbent is responsible for training probationary officers. The Police Officer is involved with regular and irregular shift work and shift rotations necessary to provide police services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year (weekends and holidays included). Safety/Security Sensitive Designation: This position is classified as safety/security sensitive under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment and is therefore subject to random drug and alcohol testing. To apply all interested candidates must:

1. Submit a completed City of Springdale application.
2. Register for a Law Enforcement - Frontline National test through the National Testing Network (NTN) at During the registration process, select "Springdale Police Department" to receive your test results.

Please contact the SPD Training Division with any questions: View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io

Job Duties

• Provide good customer service to both internal and external customers; maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees (especially members of their own team), and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Perform preventive patrol in assigned areas, both in vehicle and on foot. Enforce state and federal laws and City ordinances. Operate motor vehicle while on patrol in a safe manner for extended periods of time, in all environmental conditions and on occasion, operate the vehicle at high speeds and in congested traffic situations.
• Continually observe for and respond to criminal activity, safety hazards, traffic violations, persons needing assistance, etc. Conduct interviews and interrogate potential victims, witnesses, suspects, and offenders. Identify, collect, process, package, and log physical evidence.
• Make arrests on criminal and traffic related offenses, including DWI detection and apprehension by use of radar equipment and proper operation. Defend self and others by engaging in actual physical combat if necessary, and to subdue resistive arrestees. Conduct searches of persons, places, vehicles and things.
• Become familiar with patrol districts, geographical locations, known offenders, neighborhood routines, potential problem areas, etc. Conduct security inspections and survey buildings and businesses; handle complaints made by the public; conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls initiated in assigned area(s), neighboring areas inside jurisdiction, and requests by other agencies outside of jurisdiction.
• Seek and serve arrest warrants, search warrants, and other court documents. Assist various prosecutors and attorneys in preparation of cases for trial; assist judges during court sessions; testify clearly and truthfully in front of a judge and jury in court.
• Direct and control vehicular and pedestrian traffic by use of hand signals and/or a flashlight. Conduct traffic control for blocked traffic, parades, accidents, special events, etc. and provide crowd control, security, and information during special events.
• Clean and fire a variety of police weapons, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns both in the field and to meet department standards of proficiency.
• Utilize a mobile computer terminal in assigned police vehicle as a means of gathering and exchanging information. Complete traffic/criminal citations issued to violators of city and state laws. Investigate traffic accidents and report on the electronic system.
• View heinous crime scenes and identify/preserve physical evidence of a crime.
• Prepare detailed narrative reports either by composing them in long-hand or dictating for transcription, as necessary, in accordance with duty requirements.
• Respond and engage with domestic disputes and resolve issues in a way that minimizes harm to the disputing parties.
• Interact with children of all ages and in various situations, including delinquents, minors requiring authoritative intervention, neglected or abused children, runaways, lost or found children, crime victims, as well as in public relations, educational roles, and as informants.
• Provide interpersonal support, business connections, and standby assistance during civil disputes.
• Direct civilian employees and the public at crime scenes, accidents, disasters, etc.
• Determine "probable cause" in making arrest of individuals; complete paperwork for those arrests, felony and misdemeanor cases including felony jackets.
• Determine when and under what circumstances to use less-lethal or deadly force.
• Search, guard, transport, and assist in the booking and custodial care of prisoners.
• Administer first aid when needed and coordinate emergency personnel and resources in crisis situations.
• Act as public relations officer for the city and foster good relationships with businesses, schools, etc.
• Perform desk duties, including telecommunications (telephone, computer terminal, radio), assisting persons at the station, processing reports, etc.
• Develop and maintain required skills and licenses/permits/certifications associated with the area of special investigation, expertise, etc.
• Collaborate closely with other agencies by exchanging information and attending meetings and training sessions. Attend seminars, training, special conferences and meetings to maintain a thorough and working knowledge of state and federal laws and statutes, and search and seizure laws.
• Responsible for maintaining issued/assigned equipment, to include: patrol unit, uniforms, firearm(s), protective devices, etc.

Field Training Duties (when assigned)

• Comprehend and utilize various strategies, tactics, and training to protect the public, fellow officers, and self in constantly changing environments and situations.
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of persons, to include witnesses, victims, suspects, fellow officers, supervisors, dispatchers, and the general public by use of various communication methods.
• Train probationary officers. Attempt to correct any observed deficiencies and evaluate the probationary officers' observed performance as required on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Prepare reports in regards to the probationary officer's performance.

Investigations Duties (when assigned)

• Conduct investigations by following up on investigative leads. Conduct interviews of suspects, victims, and witnesses, and make arrests when necessary.
• Train and assist other officers in the investigation process, including the gathering and safeguarding of evidence.
• Serve on specialized task force(s) as assigned.
• Work an on-call duty schedule and respond to a crime scene as notified. Process crime scene (lift prints, photograph scenes and evidence, conduct crucial interviews on scene, etc.).

School Resource Officer Duties (when assigned)

• Perform daily security checks and monitor activity on campus in an effort to ensure the welfare, safety, and security of over 17,000 students and faculty in the school district.
• Communicate with students and school administrators concerning sensitive issues and resolve issues or conflicts. Assist school administrators with policies and procedures; assist with home visits as needed.
• Teach students and faculty about a large range of law enforcement topics.
• Patrol assigned campus and monitor all activities. Attend all extra-curricular activities of the school; attend parent-teacher conferences as needed.
• Participate in yearly charitable events; install car seats for the public.
• Assist with the Law and Public Safety Academy, the Child ID Program, and perform Youth Academy recruiting, instruction, and research community projects.
• Attend community based athletic leagues involving camps, for security and public speaking. Schedule off duty security detail for athletic events.
• Attend other schools as a guest speaker for bicycle safety, and speak on topics related to gangs, drugs and alcohol, etc.
• Work as a liaison between the Springdale Police Department, Springdale School District, and the Juvenile Court System.
• Initiate reports and investigate crimes that occur in the Springdale School District.

Background Investigator (when assigned)

• Conduct applicant testing; prepare testing facility, assist with written tests, assist with physical agility tests, and prepare for Civil Service interviews.
• Attend recruiting events to promote current openings within the Springdale Police Department.
• Perform background investigations; meet with applicants to give them forms, review forms, conduct home visits, send and receive reference letters, and compile information.
• Perform applicant interviews;