Police Officer

Police Officer

This is responsible work involving the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work involves responsibility for serving the citizens of Martinsville by protecting life and property, preventing crime, apprehending criminals, and enforcing laws and ordinances in a designated area or an assigned shift. More experienced employees in this class may provide technical guidance to newly-hired employees. Work involves an element of personal danger, and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies involving a wide range of social, psychological, and legal situations, including motor vehicle crashes, misdemeanors, felonies, and family crisis situations. Assignments, general and special instructions are received from a superior officer who reviews work methods and results through reports, observations, and discussions.

Examples of work include patrolling an area of the City in a patrol car, or on foot, to preserve law and order, prevent and discover the commission of crime, apprehend criminals and offenders, and enforce all federal and state laws and City ordinances. Directing traffic, answering calls, radio complaints, and in-person requests, involving motor vehicle crashes, robberies, and other misdemeanors and felonies; preparing varied related case, offense, and shift reports. Conducting preliminary investigations, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, making arrests, booking and releasing prisoners, taking fingerprints, and testifying as a witness in court. Administering breathalyzer tests to persons arrested while driving under the influence of alcohol after certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Conducting motor vehicle crash investigations, taking safeguards to prevent further crashes; interviewing principals and witnesses and taking statements; examining vehicles, roadways, traffic controls; clearing obstructions and recording data; preparing motor vehicle crash reports. Establishing traffic control and police protection at fires and other incidents; performing police duties at parades, processions, sporting and related events. Checking and reporting on deficient street lights, signs, and road surfaces; operating radar equipment after certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia; providing information, advice, and assistance to citizens; serving as public relations officer for the Police Department. Operating the VCIN terminal (Mobile Data Systems) after appropriate certification.

Minimum qualifications of work include candidates for the position of police officer must be 21 years of age or within 30 days of their 21st birthday. Some experience as a security guard, military police officer, or work involving considerable public contact requires graduation from high school (or the equivalent). Knowledge of the geography of the City, the location of important buildings, and the street system. Some knowledge of the basic principles of police methods and operations. Ability to cope with a variety of crisis and non-crisis situations firmly, but courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of citizens. Ability to learn and apply modern police procedures and techniques, principles of investigation and interrogation, and applicable laws and ordinances. Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper courses of action under a variety of circumstances, dealing with the entire spectrum of human behavior. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public. Ability to maintain compliance with minimum standards for police officers issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Skill in the care and use of firearms. In addition to the requirements and standards outlined in this job description, all applicants for sworn police positions must also meet those conditions and standards outlined in the Martinsville Police Department Employment Application and Selection Manual, which is on file in the Human Resources Office and given to each police officer applicant.

This position shall require testifying and providing information in all aspects of the criminal justice proceedings to prosecute those accused of crimes. Persons who hold this position shall be required to establish integrity through all their interactions with those within the criminal justice system. This integrity shall be established through truthfulness in testimony and by remaining truthful in all aspects of the adjudication process to reach the attainment of justice. If this integrity is ever compromised in any aspect of the criminal justice system, the employee shall be deemed incapable of performing his or her duties as a member of the Martinsville Police Department, and it shall be grounds for dismissal. A police officer trainee shall be expected to perform the duties as described herein as a police officer.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Physical strength and agility, good general intelligence, and emotional stability to meet police duty requirements.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives, and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Special requirements include certification in the Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN), certification as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Virginia Dept of Criminal Justice Services. If assigned to the Criminal Justice Training Academy, certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Law Enforcement instructor, in addition to various other certifications, such as Firearms or Driver Training instruction. Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned. When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.