Police Officer

Law Enforcement Officer

Basic Function: Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, perform law enforcement and related services to safe guard the lives, property and constitutional rights of citizens in the City of Brawley; respond to crime and accident scenes, emergency situations, and other requests for assistance. Incumbents detect, apprehend and arrest criminals; enforce State laws, Federal laws, and City Ordinances; and perform a variety of specialized duties as assigned.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties:

• Patrol a designated area of the City of Brawley in a motor vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot, to detect or prevent criminal activity, collect evidence and information and provide general assistance to the public.
• Receive and investigate complaints and reports of law violations.
• Conducts initial investigations; obtain information and statements, and prepare reports.
• Makes arrests; apprehend suspects and fugitives; log patrol activities; transport prisoners.
• Serve warrants, present evidence and testify in court.
• Respond to crime and collision scenes; assure protection of the scene and physical evidence; perform preliminary investigations as required.
• Communicate with other City of Brawley Departments and personnel, law enforcement agencies and health care providers to coordinate efforts, resolve problems, and exchange information.
• Utilize and maintain a variety of specialized equipment such as firearms, taser, impact weapons, police vehicles, radios, handcuffs, and other equipment pertinent to the assignment.
• Prepare and maintain records and logs related to daily activities as required by the Department.
• Prepare clear and concise incident and investigative reports.

Other Duties: Perform related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Brawley Police Department organization, policies and directives.
• Principles, practices and procedures used in law enforcement.
• State and Federal laws and City ordinances.
• Recent legislation and court decisions affecting law enforcement activities.
• Rules of evidence and laws of arrest.
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Geography of the City of Brawley.
• Traffic and crowd control techniques.
• Crime scene preservation and basic investigation methods and techniques.
• Proper use and care of police weapons.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

Ability to:

• Read, interpret, apply, understand and explain laws, codes, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of the law and modern law enforcement techniques.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Protect the lives, property and constitutional rights of citizens.
• Analyze situations and adopt a quick effective course of action.
• Remember names, faces, numbers and details of incidents.
• Relate effectively to people of a variety of cultures, languages, handicaps and socio-economic situations
• Write clear and comprehensive reports.
• Present evidence and testimony in court.
• Understand and work within scope of authority.
• Understand and follow written and oral directions.
• Learn the use and care of firearms.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Establish and maintain effective relations with the public in a law enforcement capacity.
• Perform physical activities required to function effectively as a Police Officer.
• Operate standard office equipment, police vehicles, communications equipment, and Department equipment and weapons.
• Work confidentially with discretion.
• The employee may be called to respond to police service calls at any time during assigned shifts.
• Establish a permanent full-time residence within a one-hour maximum response time to the Police Department.

Education and Experience: Education: Any combination equivalent to: Graduation from high school or passing of the G.E.D. test indicating high school graduation level. Successful completion of California P.O.S.T. Certified Law Enforcement Academy within the last three years. Applicants are required to maintain a valid California P.O.S.T. Peace Officer Certification throughout their employment tenure. General: Must meet minimum peace officer standards as specified in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031 including but not limited to the following: must have no prior felony convictions (unless fully pardoned), good moral character as determined by thorough background investigation; must submit fingerprints for purpose of a criminal record check and be found free from any physical, emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect the powers of a peace officer. License: Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License and an acceptable driving record. Note: Applicants who are currently in the final two months of a qualified P.O.S.T. Basic Academy may apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required certification.