Police Officer Trainee

Under direction from higher level Police Department supervisory or management staff, perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; perform investigative work; participate in and provide support and assistance to special crime prevention and enforcement programs; establish, grow, and preserve positive relationships between the community and the Police Department; and perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Classes in this series are distinguished by the level of certification attained and years of experience. The Police Officer classification requires the possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate and involves the performance of the more routine duties assigned to positions within the series. The Police Officer w/ Intermediate Certificate classification requires the possession of a P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate and involves the performance of more technical or diverse assignments that the Police Officer classification. The Police Officer w/ Advanced Certificate classification is the senior officer level which requires the possession of a P.O.S.T. Advanced Certificate and involves the performance of the full range of duties as assigned.

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Preserve and strive to improve the quality of life within the community by using various policing techniques, such as problem-solving policing and intelligence-led policing strategies that encourage and build positive relationships between the Fontana Police Department and the community.
• Emphasize community interaction and collaborative problem solving between the Fontana Police Department and the community; continue to build diverse community-based partnerships guided by innovation and perseverance to ensure Fontana's future as a well-developed, dignified, and respected community.
• Answer calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, robberies, assaults, fires and related misdemeanors and felonies; respond to alarms; investigate complaints; apprehend suspects; search, inspect, transport and take custody of prisoners.
• Respond to general public service calls including animal complaints, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property control, and related incidents; may participate in the surveillance of an area.
• Secure the scene of a crime; administer first aid; conduct preliminary investigations; obtain witnesses; gather information; make arrests; prepare detailed reports.
• Investigate reports of missing persons; maintain surveillance over suspected criminals; identify areas of potential crimes or unsafe conditions; report conditions and take corrective action.
• Identify suspects; conduct interviews and interrogations; apprehend and arrest offenders.
• Serve as Field Training Officer as assigned; train new officers on departmental policies, procedures and activities.
• Collect, process, photograph and present evidence suing scientific techniques including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence.
• Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; check speed with radar; issue warnings and citations.
• Conduct building and field searches; check buildings for physical security.
• Direct traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Conduct investigations of injury and fatal traffic accidents; conduct traffic accident analyses and general traffic surveys.
• Conduct a variety of criminal investigations involving crimes against persons and property; gather evidence and prepare cases for prosecution.
• Contact and interview victims and witnesses; preserve and investigate crime scenes.
• Conduct covert, undercover investigations as assigned.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties.
• Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.
• Serve warrants within the department and with outside agencies; remain current on laws and procedures required for processing warrants.
• Serve as Crime Prevention Officer; oversee and coordinate crime prevention activities; make presentations to local citizens and community groups.
• Serve as Intelligence Officer; gather crime related intelligence information and conduct background investigations; coordinate information and activities with outside agencies and jurisdictions.
• Serve as Public Information Officer; respond to inquiries and complaints from individuals, private organizations, news media and the general public; inform and educate the public on crime prevention and the criminal justice system; prepare and present public speaking engagements.
• Investigate juvenile related crimes including child abuse and juvenile narcotics; coordinate youth services with outside agencies and organizations including local school districts; conduct community presentations and instruct assigned classes.
• May participate in S.W.A.T. and K-9 activities and operations.
• May perform duties of police dispatcher or desk officer as needed.
• Participate in departmental studies and in staff development.
• Attend briefings and provide roll call as needed.
• Maintain prompt and regular attendance.
• Perform any other tasks or functions deemed necessary to the daily operations of the employer.
• This position is always evolving. Therefore, employer reserves the right to modify this job description as necessary.

THE ABOVE LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS