Lateral Police Officer

Police Officer

Applicants must be a current certified OPOTA law enforcement officer. Applicants must be currently employed full time in a law enforcement capacity as a peace officer as defined in section 2535.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. Applicants must be under 35 years of age. If applicant is 35 or older, applicant must state how many years he/she has with Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund, OPERS - Law Enforcement, and/or Ohio Highway Patrol Retirement System. Applicants should submit their most current performance evaluation with their application.

The Police Officer is the line officer within the Whitehall Division of Police and is usually assigned to the Patrol Bureau or the Detective Bureau. At the Chief's discretion, police officers may be assigned to work as a patrol officer, detective, narcotic/vice officer, officer in charge, K9 officer, School Resource Officer, or any other position as needed. The position is classified under Civil Service and reports directly to the assigned Sergeant.

• Usually drives a police vehicle, rides a bicycle or walks, patrolling a designated area

• Regularly reports unsafe conditions such as obstructions in the streets

• Usually patrols a designated area to enforce State Laws and City Ordinances

• Answers calls for service as dispatched

• Investigates complaints as assigned

• Takes action as necessary to prevent crime and/or to apprehend criminals

• Continually maintains public safety

• Consistently assists citizens in a wide range of emergency and non-emergency situations

• Regularly issues citations for violations of traffic laws

• Makes arrests as warranted, sometimes requiring the use of force and physical exertion

• Regularly transports prisoners

• Regularly investigates vehicle accidents, attempting to determine causes and other pertinent facts

• Regularly conducts investigations of crimes, preserves crime scenes, gathers and preserves evidence

• Regularly checks doors and windows of homes and businesses for security

• Testifies in court as subpoenaed to do so

• Assists injured persons, notifies families of injuries as needed

• Sometimes processes blood, urine and other bodily fluids as evidence

• Assists stranded motorists as dispatched or encountered

• Regularly investigates conditions which may indicate a crime is about to be, or has been committed

• Maintains daily records and prepares reports

• Regularly works with juveniles and school authorities

• Consistently maintains good public relations

• Directs, enforces and regulates traffic as needed

• Responds daily to radio or computer messages or telephone instructions

• Intervenes in private or public disputes to protect citizens and to maintain order as needed

• Regularly prepares for the prosecution of criminal offenses involving individuals who have been arrested

• Sometimes procures medical treatment or social services for individuals and may be required to transport individuals to these facilities

• Regularly investigates delinquency, mental illness cases and cases involving missing persons

• Carries out court orders, delivers subpoenas, and executes warrants as required

• Regularly slates, searches, questions and escorts prisoners

• Prepares written reports of gathered facts when dispatched or as initiated

• Consults with and reports to the assigned Sergeant on daily issues concerning duties and the business of the Division of Police

• Consistently assists in the maintenance of cooperative relations among Division of Police personnel

• Consistently assists in the maintenance of cooperative and efficient relations between the various Bureaus and entities comprising the Division of Police

• Consistently assists in the maintenance of cooperative relations between the Division of Police and outside persons and entities

• Regularly assumes the responsibility and authority as Officer-in-Charge when so designated, or when seniority causes this to happen on-scene; in other words, the senior-most responding Officer is in-charge at the scene and, thereby has the responsibility and the authority as such, unless and until relieved of such by a more-senior Officer

• At the discretion of the Chief of Police, Officers may also be assigned regular, individual, ancillary duties to perform in an effort to efficiently and effectively accomplish the mission of the Division of Police. These duties may include such tasks as instructing, training, representing the Division, attending meetings, record-keeping and reports, Auxiliary Police liaison, negotiations, Datamaster management, local court bailiff, committee assignment, board assignment, and background investigation. Officers may also be appointed by the Chief of Police to sub-entities such as the Tactical Unit, Honor Guard or Bicycle Patrol.

• Performs numerous other daily duties as required, ordered, assigned or discovered

• Must be a United States citizen

• Must possess a High School diploma or General Educational Development certificate

• Valid US driver's license

• Read and meet Whitehall Police Hiring Standards

*Must be a minimum of 21 years of age and not yet 35 years of age at the time of appointment. If candidate is over 35 years of age, his or her years of service with Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund, Ohio Public Employment Retirement System – Law Enforcement, and/or Ohio Highway Patrol Retirement System will be deducted from his or her current age. If the total of these two numbers is less than 35 the candidate will be eligible for employment as a Police Officer with the City of Whitehall. The maximum credit of years of eligible service given to any candidate will be 20 years. Must successfully complete or have completed the State of Ohio certified Peace Officer basic training course, as designated by the Division of Police, with a minimum "C" average and/or a 70% average. Once certification has been attained, must maintain State of Ohio Certified Police Officer certification/license.