Police Officer - Lateral

Police Officer

Application reviews will occur on a continuous basis. This recruitment is referral incentive eligible.

Examples Of Duties

Police officers perform a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of laws and prevention of crimes; to control traffic flow and enforce state and local traffic regulations; to participate in and conduct a variety of criminal investigations; to provide a high level of customer service and integrate the community into policing activities; to participate in community based police activities and programs; to facilitate familiarization between law enforcement and community residents; to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of law enforcement services and activities. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Patrol designated areas of the city in car, by foot, or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; maintain awareness of and remain alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress; issue warnings and citations.
• Respond to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints, animal control, and related incidents; respond to and provide assistance at a variety of public service type calls that are non-criminal in nature.
• Conduct investigations at scenes of incidents to which summoned or incidents observed; determine what, if any crime has been committed; identify, collect, preserve, process, photograph and book evidence; locate and interview victims and witnesses; identify and interrogate suspects.
• Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants; apprehend and arrest offenders for crimes committed under federal, state and local laws and codes; control and effectively process individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations.
• Patrol assigned areas; perform a full range of traffic enforcement duties; observe, monitor, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions; assist and advise motorist; use radar to detect speed; issue citations and warnings; investigate traffic accidents; coordinate traffic patterns during special events; conduct special enforcement details including DUI, seatbelt, and child safety seat check points.
• Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency situations; provide traffic and crowd control at parades, festivals, riots, and other events.
• May serve as liaison and public relations officer for the assigned area; establish and preserve good relationships with the general public; may develop reliable informants and provide intelligence information to divisional and/or departmental personnel; attend community meetings and neighborhood associations on a regular and ad-hoc basis.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; may respond to requests for assistance from agencies outside the city for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or other related requests.
• Participate in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills.
• Perform a variety of administrative and other types of duties in support of law enforcement services, programs, and activities; attend meetings; prepare and submit news releases; maintain and calibrate specialized equipment.
• Prepare a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made, and unusual incidents observed; prepare investigative reports and case information.
• Testify in juvenile, civil, traffic, municipal, criminal courts, and parole and DMV hearings; prepare and present evidence; respond to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
• Answer questions from the public concerning local and state laws, procedures, and activities of the department.
• Receive, search, book, fingerprint, and transport prisoners.
• Make presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of police department activities; serve as liaison to neighborhood watch groups and schools; build and maintain other ongoing relationships with members of the community to promote and participate in proactive policing.
• When assigned to investigations, coordinate and conduct complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming and narcotics violations; perform undercover and surveillance activities; interview victims, complainants, witnesses, and suspects; collect, preserve, and maintain evidence and property found that is involved with suspected crimes; prepare and execute search warrants; prepare investigative reports and case information.
• When assigned as a field training officer, train new recruits and lateral police officers; document trainee progress and prepare evaluations; serve as acting field supervisor as assigned.
• When assigned as a school resource officer, serve as law enforcement officer, law related counselor, and law related instructor for the drug abuse resistance education program at assigned school; supervise city-wide truancy sweeps; assist with special juvenile enforcement details; supervise security for school functions.
• When assigned, serve as a member of the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team; participate in specialized training programs; act in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• When assigned, serve as a member of the critical incident negotiation team; learn and apply modern police negotiation and related skills.
• May be assigned to additional specialized auxiliary duties, functions and services at the discretion of the police chief and higher-level sworn police staff; may be assigned limited duties due to injury or physical limitations.
• May work in plain clothes to conduct follow-up investigations, and to suppress vice or narcotics activities.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other city employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Modern police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, and investigation.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations including laws governing the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons accused of felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
• Community oriented policing and problem solving.
• Techniques and applications of self-defense and proper use of force.
• Principles and techniques used in public and community relations as they relate to law enforcement activities.
• Operational characteristics of police equipment, vehicles, and tools including firearms.
• Methods and techniques used in interviewing witnesses, victims, complainants, or suspects.
• Computer operating systems and software applications.
• Principles and practices of good customer service.
• Techniques and principles of effective interpersonal communication.
• Principles and practices of safety management.

Ability to:

• Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Interpret and explain city law enforcement policies and procedures.
• Assess a variety of routine and critical situations involving public safety and act appropriately; think clearly and act quickly in a variety of situations, including emergencies; judge situations and people accurately.
• Utilize mental capacity allowing the capability of exercising sound judgment and rational thinking under dangerous and stressful conditions.
• Perform a wide range of law enforcement assignments.
• Conduct a variety of criminal and special investigations.
• Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence; interview victims, complainants, witnesses, and suspects; observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places.
• Foster and develop collaborative partnerships with community members and organization to pro-actively solve problems.
• Control violent individuals and effect arrests.
• Understand the operation of modern equipment, technology and software required in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Operate a computer with proficiency and familiarity; use e-mail effectively; use standard business software and other police specific software systems.
• Use and care for a variety of law enforcement and tools, including firearms, vehicles, and related equipment.
• Administer first aid.
• Perform basic math computations.
• Perform field training duties as assigned, including evaluating and communicating feedback related to performance.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and routine correspondence.
• Engage tactfully and courteously with the public and law enforcement personnel; demonstrate a high ability to interact with the public courteously, with patience and a positive attitude.
• Maintain contact and preserve good relations with the public; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public in a timely basis.
• Meet the physical requirements established by the department.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Work irregular and on-call hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays.