Police Officer - CERTIFIED ONLY

Police Officer

A Police Officer engages in the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances and the prevention of crime. The Officer performs varied assignments in motorized patrol, traffic control, crime scene and accident investigations, community policing and public safety education. An employee in this classification must recognize the social aspects of law enforcement functions in dealing with the public and be able to act quickly without immediate supervision and exercise sound judgment and discretion in situations involving law enforcement powers.

Essential Functions

• Patrols an assigned zone or district on foot, on motorcycle or in radio-dispatched cruiser; controls and regulates traffic; issues traffic warnings and summonses; investigates traffic accidents and ascertains appropriate charges.
• Responds to calls and complaints involving missing persons, homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny and any other emergencies or disturbances (e.g., fires, riots, etc.) requiring police intervention.
• Conducts investigations at the scene of a crime; interviews victims and witnesses; interrogates suspects; searches, gathers, preserves and correlates evidence; and makes arrests if warranted.
• Checks doors and windows of places of business and of homes temporarily vacant and makes routine checks of establishments where alcohol is served.
• Prepares objective and comprehensive reports regarding complaints, accidents, and other incidents being investigated and maintains necessary records for future law enforcement review.
• Testifies in court concerning case facts, conditions, and observances.
• Works shifts as assigned, including but not limited to, serving as desk officer, receiving calls and insuring that officers respond to complaints; performing plain-clothes investigations; assisting in the marine or canine units; and working nights, weekends and/or holidays.
• Maintains effective relations with the public and handles situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, impartially and with respect for the rights of others.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; at least 19 years of age; and U.S. citizenship.
• Valid State of Florida Basic Law Enforcement Certificate OR completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and successfully passed all sections of the State Certification Exam.
• One (1) year of experience as a Police Officer (preferred).
• Valid State of Florida driver's license.
• Candidates must successfully pass health, physical and mental condition requirements as established by the Police Department and submit to a thorough background investigation which includes fingerprinting.
• Knowledge of current technology and software applications appropriate to the assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of state statutes, local ordinances and departmental regulations governing search and seizure of property, laws of arrest, admissibility of evidence, and criminal and court proceedings.
• Strong communication, sensory and coping skills.

Physical/Environmental Requirements

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to: work in both law enforcement and office settings; restrain, subdue or move individuals; walk, stand, sit, or run for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; occasionally climb and balance; regularly push, pull, lift, and/or carry light to moderate weights; and occasionally lift and/or move moderate to heavy weights. In addition, the employee must be able to meet acceptable vision, auditory, and speech standards; to operate a vehicle for travel to various locations and for long periods of time; and to operate and use specialized law enforcement tools and equipment which includes firearms, handcuffs, etc. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS: Environmental factors include reactive emergency sites, scenes of natural or man-made disaster, and other routine peace-keeping environments with travel from site to site. The employee is exposed to: outside weather conditions; fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold and/or heat; risk of electrical shock, radiation, and vibration; and potentially hostile environments. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times may be very loud due to sirens, firearm training, explosions, etc.