Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduate

Come Join Our Team! THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING FOR

POLICE OFFICER - LATERAL/ACADEMY GRADUATE

Open and Continuous

Applicants will be considered as they apply.

The City of Novato is seeking experienced and passionate law enforcement professionals to join our team as Police Officer - Lateral/Academy Graduates. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a community-focused department that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence in public safety. If you are eager to make a meaningful impact, utilize your skills, and grow your career in a supportive environment, we invite you to apply and become part of the City of Novato’s dedicated team!

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; to perform investigative work and other special assignments; and to perform a variety of technical law enforcement tasks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from higher level police personnel.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• As a patrol officer, patrol the City in radio-equipped car or on foot; answer calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, county, and state laws; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, hold-ups, death, and other criminal incidents.
• Patrol the City and respond to calls related to traffic incidents and other required emergencies; observe, monitor and control routine and unusual traffic conditions; issue traffic citations; assist and advise motorist and enforce traffic safety laws.
• When assigned, serve as a police detective; coordinate and conduct complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gambling, and narcotics violations.
• When assigned, serve as crime prevention officer; participate in the development and promotion of crime prevention, activities, such as citizen watch and security survey programs; work with citizens to complement programs; make public presentations; maintain program statistics and reports.
• Collect and preserve evidence at scene of crime and/or accident; lift fingerprints; draw sketches; take photographs.
• When assigned, serve as school resource officer; provide information and assistance to local school staff and students; make group presentations; maintain program statistics and reports.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complaints and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas; keep up-to-date on laws and procedures required for processing warrants; retrieve and request information involving arrests and subpoenas; file complaints and perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Prepare reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.
• Check buildings for physical security.
• Search, fingerprint, and transport prisoners.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public.
• Administer first aid as necessary.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation identification techniques, equipment, police records and reports, and first aid techniques.
• Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
• Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory.

Ability to:

• Perform self defense tactics.
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places.
• Learn to use and care for firearms.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately.
• Learn, understand, and interpret laws and regulations.
• Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports.
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions in an independent manner.
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of: Making sound decisions, Demonstrating intellectual capabilities.
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: Making observations, Communicating with others, Reading and writing, Operating assigned office equipment.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

None required.

Training:

Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade, preferably supplemented by 30 units of college level course work.

License or Certificate

Possession of an appropriate P.O.S.T. certificate.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to:

• Understand and follow oral and written directions, speak and write effectively
• Understand various laws, policies, rules, procedures, law enforcement techniques and first aid
• Analyze situations and/or problems and rationally and calmly take quick, effective action in emergency and stressful situations
• Undergo strenuous physical training

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Emergency peace control environment
• Travel from site to site
• Exposure to potentially hostile environments

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for running, walking, crouching or crawling during emergency operations, walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, and operating assigned police equipment and vehicles.

EMPLOYMENT PROCESS:

Applicants are screened for relevant education, experience and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. Those persons most qualified may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral, performance and/or assessment center examinations. Candidates who successfully pass the examination process are placed on the eligibility list.

THE CITY OF NOVATO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER