Police Officer (Certified)

Police OfficerProtects lives and property of the citizens of Ocala. This is accomplished by aggressively patrolling high crime areas, formulating plans of action to combat criminal activity with the assistance of the citizens. Reports to the Squad Sergeant.Essential Job FunctionsPatrol Duties (20% in / 80% out): Patrols an assigned area to establish a presence, reduce opportunities for crime, detect criminal activity and render service to the public. Listens to the car radio to receive messages and remains aware of surrounding activities on an assigned shift. Investigates trouble spots in high crime areas and in an assigned patrol area. Remains alert and observant in order to detect anything unusual within the patrol area. Drives patrol car at a high rate of speed in response to emergency or enforcement of situations according to departmental policy. Recognizes and enforces traffic laws proactively to ensure safe vehicular movement. Patrols an assigned area in a "community policing" manner which consists of knowing assigned zone, its geography and trouble spots and knowing the merchants and people. Conducts preliminary investigations. Conducts interviews and interrogations. Locates and questions witnesses and potential witnesses when investigating crimes. Determines whether there is probable cause for arrest. Handles crowd control at parades, street events, crime scenes, accident scenes and incidents. Directs traffic using hand signals.Reports (20% in / 80% out): Writes accident reports. Writes and types up reports in a narrative form, describing activities, events, investigations, and enforcement action taken. Completes short incident reports to record events and action taken. Prepares arrest warrants for suspects, presenting sufficient information to record the warrant. Writes application for search warrants, presenting sufficient information to gain legal approval to proceed. Makes field notes in notebook to document activities, conditions and other necessary information. Completes departmental forms to record time worked, overtime, and leave requests. Takes personal notes on assignments and information given by supervisors, and other information such as stolen vehicles and securities.Citizen Interaction (10% in / 90% out): Talks to citizens while on routine patrol to answer their questions and to reflect interest in them and their community. Responds to citizen requests for police service or assistance. Deals with upset and angry people; attempts to calm them and explain procedures. Interacts with persons who have drug problems or alcohol problems. Talks to residents or merchants to establish a presence, identify problems and encourage cooperation. Communicates clearly and politely. Talks with various people in person or by telephone to receive complaints, answer questions or provide information. Notifies parents or guardians of juveniles involved in mischief or taken into custody.Training (50% in / 50% out): Practices firearms skills on firing range in order to qualify with service weapon. Practices expandable baton skills and Defensive tactics skills in order to qualify on an annual basis. Completes Taser certification on an annual basis. Practices driving skills on an annual basis. Attends classes, workshops and conferences on police procedures to update and improve skills. Reads court decisions and or changes in statutes, ordinances and legislation to stay informed of changes. Reads and interprets criminal law, operations orders, department policies and procedures.Court Preparation and Testimony (100% in): Meets with attorney to provide case facts, discuss evidence, prepare for testimony. Gathers and organizes all records, reports and information needed for court presentation. Testifies in court regarding the facts of the case known firsthand, evidence collected, notes and action taken.Attendance and Performance: Required to report to work at the appointed hour, as scheduled, to work the entire assigned shift and perform tasks as required.Nonessential Job FunctionsOperates a computer. Performs other duties as assigned.Minimum QualificationsEducation and ExperienceHigh School Diploma or G.E.D. required.Must have Certificate of Completion of Florida Police Standards.Must successfully complete a Physical Fitness Assessment.Required Licenses/CertificationsFlorida Operators Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.Criminal Justice Standards and Training Certificate (within 90 days).Residency RequirementResident of Marion County.Supplemental InformationCustomer ServiceHigh volume of customer service is performed in assisting the public and employees in person and by telephone. Communicates clearly and courteously to assist others.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesAbility to absorb and remember facts and information.Ability to write and type effectively to produce clear, accurate and understandable reports.Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.Ability to communicate clearly and politely in oral and written form.Ability to read and comprehend police related materials.Ability to notice details. Ability to work under pressure.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively.Ability to handle situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, with respect for the civil rights of all.Ability to testify in court in a professional manner.Ability to learn laws, city ordinances, methods and procedures in applying them effectively.Ability to learn geographical layout of city.Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.Must be proficient with MS Office and computers.Physical AbilityManual dexterity to operate a patrol car in a safe manner during both emergency and non-emergency situations. Manual dexterity to operate a police radio, sirens and lights while driving at a high rate of speed. Operates a patrol vehicle safely under adverse weather conditions. Walks, stands, and sits for an extended period of time while performing investigations. Flexibility to move, bend, stoop, and reach to physically restrain resisting defendants, collect evidence, move in and out of a patrol vehicle, direct traffic and operate a computer. Ability to push, pull, stoop, kneel, bend and reach, lift and carry approximately 50 pounds of evidence and recovered property from one location to another. Reads reports, policies and procedures. Visually and audibly detects criminal activity and monitor safety concerns at all times for personal and public safety concerns. Manual dexterity to write a high volume of reports, tickets and investigative notes while standing outdoors, sitting inside a vehicle and under other such conditions. Manual dexterity to properly use an expandable baton, fire a weapon, defend oneself, effect a proper arrest which includes physically applying handcuffs and using a firearm. Ability to endure sustained amounts of physical exhaustion and endure periods of duty in unfavorable situations.Work EnvironmentApproximately 50% of these job functions are performed while riding in a patrol vehicle in a patrol car. The remaining time is spent in investigating calls for service at various locations both indoors and outdoors. At times reports and investigations are completed at the district office or the police building.The job functions are performed on a rotating shift schedule. Officers are assigned to a scheduled shift for a 6-month duration.Equipment used consists of a patrol car, handcuffs, expandable baton, police portable radio, mobile radio, cell phone, lights and sirens, spot light, flashlight, service weapon, fire extinguisher, computer, printer, copier.Immediate supervisor is at the job site 85% of the time, and is also available by police radio and telephone.