Police Officer Trainee (Non-Certified)

Police Officer Trainee

The purpose of this classification is to provide an avenue for candidates of the position of Police Officer with the Town of Jupiter Police Department to be sponsored through, attend, and successfully complete the Florida Basic Police Recruit Academy and the State Officer Certification Exam. This will expand the Town of Jupiter Police Department recruitment efforts by providing additional resources for filling vacant Police Officer positions. Once the Police Officer Trainee candidate successfully completes the Florida Law Enforcement Academy and passes the State Officer Certification Exam, they will be reclassified into the position of Police Officer.

The Police Officer Trainee (Non-Certified) position prepares candidates for acting in the capacity of Police Officer which would include, but are not limited to the following duties:

• Enforces all applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations (including traffic, criminal and civil) in order to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.
• Patrols designated areas via motor vehicle, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle, wave runner, boat, motorcycle, or on foot to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations; inspects doors, windows, and premises of residential/commercial buildings/properties to ensure security or to detect suspicious conditions; responds to active alarms at residences, businesses, and industries; checks suspicious vehicles, persons, or situations; maintains high visibility in the community.
• Responds to calls relayed by dispatchers, including domestic disputes, abuse, assaults, rape, burglaries, thefts, fatalities, abduction, lost/missing persons, search/rescue operations, traffic accidents, property damage, alarms, bomb threats, natural disasters, public service duties, stranded motorists, or other problem situations.
• Prevents/discovers commission of crime; writes citations; apprehends, arrests, and processes criminals, fugitives and offenders; pursues fleeing suspects; conducts searches of suspects or arrestees.
• Conducts preliminary investigations of complaints or incidents; interviews victims, complainants and witnesses and records statements; gathers information and evidence; secures crime scenes and protects integrity of evidence; prepares detailed reports and sketches.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, which may include lifting, dragging or carrying people away from dangerous situations, securing/evacuating people from particular areas, administering CPR or first aid, or extinguishing small fires.
• Enforces vehicle operating laws, parking laws, and DUI laws; conducts sobriety tests; uses visual observation and radar/laser speed detection units to enforce speed laws.
• Responds to traffic accidents/complaints; investigates collisions/accidents involving fatalities, personal injuries, and hit-and-run drivers; measures accident scenes and makes drawings of accidents; reviews evidence, reconstructs accidents, and makes recommendations; investigates traffic hazards; coordinates removal of debris or other hazards from roadways.
• Provides traffic control, crowd control, police protection, or security escorts for accident scenes, malfunctioning traffic signals, special events, funerals, businesses, or other situations as appropriate.
• Transports arrestees, inmates, mental patients, members of the general public, or other individuals as required. Makes fingerprint records of arrestees or other individuals.
• Participates in court activities; responds to court subpoenas; prepares case files and evidence for court presentation; testifies and presents evidence during court.
• Provides assistance or backup support to other officers, emergency medical providers, fire department personnel, probation department personnel, state/federal law enforcement agencies, other law enforcement agencies, or other public service agencies; provides emergency response on a twenty-four hour basis as needed.
• Operates a variety of standard and specialized machinery, equipment, and tools associated with law enforcement, which may include a police vehicle, standard/emergency vehicles, police boat, wave runner, all-terrain vehicle, bicycle, trailer, firearms, chemical weapons, emergency equipment, global positioning system, navigational radar system, radar/laser equipment, scuba diving equipment, alcohol testing equipment, drug testing kits, processing kits, handcuffs, baton, flashlight, fire extinguisher, measuring devices, photographic equipment, tape recorder, radio/communications equipment, telephone, hand tools, or general office equipment.
• Inspects and maintains assigned police vehicle, bicycle, boat, all-terrain vehicle, wave runner, uniform, weapons, or other equipment.
• Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; performs driving functions in a safe and efficient manner under various conditions, including day/night hours, in congested traffic, in adverse weather conditions, and in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, incident reports, accident reports, narratives, miscellaneous reports, missing person reports, vehicle reports, vessel boarding report, rough arrest reports, probable cause affidavits, citations, warnings, property/evidence reports, record request forms, diagrams, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, incident reports, accident reports, witness statements, property receipts, criminal history reports, driver history reports, BOLO notices, subpoenas, crime statistics, training bulletins, general orders, statutes, laws, codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, maps, diagrams, bulletins, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; utilizes word processing, database, spreadsheet, or other computer programs.
• Maintains records, logs, and files of work activities; maintains current manuals, policies/procedures, bulletins, map books, and other materials for reference and/or review.
• Communicates in person, via telephone, and/or via two-way radio; provides information and assistance; responds to requests for service or assistance; communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Communicates with supervisors, officers, employees, dispatchers, other divisions/departments, law enforcement agencies, fire personnel, emergency/medical personnel, jail personnel, court officials, attorneys, victims, complainants, prisoners, suspects, boat operators/passengers, the public, the media, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to obtain information, coordinate activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Responds to complaints and questions related to law enforcement issues and activities; mediates disputes; provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution.
• Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public; maintains and promotes peace and order in the community; provides education and information to the public on laws, law enforcement, crime prevention, drug abuse, safety, and related issues.
• Attends shift meetings, training sessions and seminars as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations/activities, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law; participates in physical fitness training and continuing education activities; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations.

Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.

Provides backup coverage or assistance to other employees as needed. Performs other related duties as required.

Trainee will be required to report to work for training at the Jupiter Police Department on any scheduled work day in which they do not attend the Academy.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED required. Must be at least 19 years of age and a United States citizen. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license. Must be of good moral character as determined by a background investigation. Must successfully complete the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Physical Abilities Test to be qualified for admittance into the Florida Basic Police Recruit Academy.

The candidate selected for this position will be required to execute a sponsorship agreement with the Town of Jupiter and agree to reimburse the Town for law enforcement academy expenses should the candidate separate or terminate employment with the Town prior to successfully completing 36 months of employment as a certified Police Officer.

Must attend and successfully complete the Florida Basic Police Recruit Academy in the class of which the sponsorship occurs. Must pass the State Officer Certification Exam at the conclusion of the Academy sponsorship. Failure to complete the required training or failure to pass the Certification Examination within three (3) attempts and/or (6) months after the completion of the Academy will terminate employment with no appointment to the position of Police Officer.

Performance Aptitudes

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate and control the