Lateral Police Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $73,881-$115,017

POST Certified Police Officer

Full-Time/Non- Exempt

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety police and law enforcement duties involving traffic and field patrol, investigations, crime prevention, community relations and public safety, and related services and activities; participates in all work activities; assumes responsibility for assigned special programs, projects or department-wide functions or activities; and performs a variety of administrative and technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. Must exercise considerable judgment, initiative and skill in a variety of situations and must be able to act without direct supervision in completing work. Duties are carried out under established organizational values, policies, procedures and the laws of the City, the State of Colorado and the United States.

Example of Duties: (The following essential job functions and examples of duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive. At the discretion of the supervisor, duties may be modified to address business needs and changing business practices):

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patrols a designated area on an assigned shift; preserves laws and order; prevents or discovers crime, apprehends criminals or offenders and enforces traffic laws.
• Detects and prevents criminal activities by surveillance of assigned business and residential areas. Notes possible criminal occurrences and takes steps to prevent criminal actions. Promotes crime prevention by initiating contact with businesses and residents including explaining applicable laws, soliciting cooperation in crime reporting, and otherwise creating a good rapport with citizens.
• Enforces traffic laws and vehicle codes and promotes traffic safety. Notes illegal or unsafe driving practices and advises or makes arrests as appropriate. Directs traffic, reports unsafe road conditions and otherwise promotes vehicular and pedestrian safety.
• Investigates, gathers evidence, locates and interviews relevant persons, makes arrests when required, takes necessary police action, prepares reports and cases for prosecution, and testifies in court.
• Responds to priority calls regarding public disturbances, criminal, civil or emergency situations. May provide emergency medical assistance, controls traffic, and otherwise ensures attention is given to public safety.
• Regularly interacts with citizens to identify issues of concern, works together with them to resolve those concerns, facilitates community problem solving, and takes enforcement action when appropriate.
• Prepares a variety of daily and other reports and logs.
• Provides a variety of related police services including transport of prisoners, assistance to motorists, and mediation of family disturbances.
• Acts with sensitivity to the feelings of others, does not contribute to antagonism, interacts effectively with diverse groups, calms emotional people, acts courteous/respectful, and uses good customer service skills.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships, works closely with others, accepts constructive criticism, learns and improves, corrects mistakes, and acts effectively as part of a team.
• Maintains self-control under stress, performs effectively, exercises restraint when verbally or physically abused, uses only necessary and reasonable force, and does not retaliate.
• Maintains a level of physical fitness, which meets all potential physical demands of policing and completing job responsibilities successfully.
• Inspects and maintains police related equipment, facilities and uniforms to ensure proper function, use and appearance.
• Attends community functions as police representative.
• Complies with all organizational values, policies, procedures, philosophies and all verbal and written instructions.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• A Police Officer is required to maintain a level of physical fitness to be able to safely perform all duties, especially those requiring maximum levels of exertion, e.g., arrest control, suspect chase. Successful completion of Essential Job Demands testing in accordance with Policy and Procedure.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to:Police Sergeant
Other:Interacts with City employees (both sworn and non-sworn), community at large, and visitors.

Benefits Include:Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, employer match in FPPA retirement system, optional 401K, 457 and Roth IRA plans, paid time off, flexible spending accounts, short term disability, long term disability, and tuition reimbursement.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a non-exempt, full-time position. Actual work schedule will be determined upon hire and will require availability to work evening and/or weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum requirement, High School Diploma or GED. Continuing education towards a college degree is strongly encouraged.
• Must be POST Certified
• Must have completed a Colorado Post Certified Academy within at least the last 24 months.
• A demonstrated commitment for professional self-development.
• Ability to work under general supervision and instruction according to established law enforcement practices and Police Department policies, procedures, and rules.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and stability under pressure or opposition.
• Requires ability to work nights, holiday and/or weekend shifts.
• Must be able to pass required background, medical and physical tests.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Colorado Drivers License.
• Colorado Peace Officers Standards Certificate.
• CPR, basic First Aid and basic life support certificates required at the time of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

A POLICE OFFICER WILL GENERALLY BE EXPECTED TO POSSESS OR DEVELOP THE FOLLOWING ABILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal relations.
• Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of police tactics and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, City ordinances and State statutes.
• Knowledge of emergency medical and first aid practices.
• Skill in operating motor vehicles in routine and hazardous situations.
• Skill in using weapons and other police equipment.
• Skill in dealing tactfully and effectively with citizens in a wide variety of stressful situations.
• Ability to act effectively in crisis situations.
• Ability to investigate situations and to prepare written reports.
• Ability to appropriately utilize arrest and control techniques.
• Ability to plan and organize.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to a variety of issues and situations.
• Preferred Skill: Familiarity with Draft One or any AI assisted report writing programs.

Successful completion of written tests, physical abilities course, oral board, polygraph, psychological evaluations (pre- and post-offer), background investigation, drug screen, and medical examination are required prior to hire.

WORK ENVIROMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions, hot and/or cold conditions, or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places or with explosives. Occasionally, the employee is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.

This job involves various degrees of physical demands, some sedentary, but others may require strenuous physical effort. All Police Officers must be able to successfully complete all police functions at any time. There are no sworn positions available in the City of Lone Tree Police Department where an Officer can be assured that he or she will not have to become involved in strenuous physical activity which may be life threatening. The employee in this job may be required to:

• Sit, stand, talk, hear, communicate clearly and effectively; must understand and be understood.
• Talk on the radio while driving or while out of the vehicle.
• Observe activity around the vehicle while driving and react to that activity appropriately.
• Operate radar or other equipment while driving and while out of the vehicle.
• Adjust to varied hours and sleep patterns.
• Function effectively in a wide variety of weather conditions, adapt to changing conditions, assignments, functions or other changes.
• Function fully in darkness and daylight, close and distance vision acuity, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust his or her focus, allowing a broad field of vision.
• Use hands, fingers, arms, legs and body, feel objects and manipulate them, operate tools and equipment effectively.
• Use computers for word processing and data entry.
• Reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste and smell.
• Be able to run in order to catch, subdue, and arrest fleeing persons suspected of committing a crime.
• Physically wrestle, struggle, fight, restrain or otherwise subdue/restrain uncooperative people of various abilities, strength, and/or quickness to rescue endangered persons, or physically separate individuals who are fighting, or preparing to fight.
• Effectively function for extended periods of time with little rest.
• Meet a required level of proficiency with some tools or equipment used in policing, such as: vehicles, firearms, defensive weapons, radio, computer, radar, and an Intoxilizer.
• Be able to pinch, grab, and manipulate index finger in order to fire a weapon.
• Lift and/or move objects weighing 100 pounds or more, including the limp body of a person.
• Climb a ladder, a fence, other obstacles or climb to a roof.
• Jump over obstacles or ditches and negotiate passage through difficult terrain or areas.
• Operate a vehicle.

EQUIPMENT USED: The following equipment items are utilized by employees in this position:
Personal Protection Vest, Steel-toe boots/shoes, Radio, Police Vehicle, Computers with touch screen, Light and siren controls, Radio and controls, Floor pedals, Telephone/cell phone

2026 Annual Salary Range

FTO $73,881*

1 year $83,949*

2 years $89,405*

3 years $95,217*

4 years $101,406*

5 years $107,997*

6 years - $115,015

*Employees with a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university receive an additional $2,500 per year while moving through the salary steps as an officer and will sunset upon reaching top pay.