Police Patrol Officer

Patrol Officer

The Whitewater Police Department is accepting applications to fill one (1) Patrol Officer position. This entry level, sworn position is responsible for the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work involves patrolling assigned areas, responding to criminal, suspicious, traffic and unusual situations as directed; investigating crime, gathering evidence, apprehending violators, solving problems, protecting victims and property, responding to emergency situations, completing appropriate paperwork and other related duties as required.

Positions in this classification are responsible for general duty and investigatory police work under the general supervision of a Lieutenant. Patrol Officers function without direct supervision and exercise discretion in determining appropriate response to emergency situations. Duties normally consist of patrol, preliminary investigation and traffic enforcement duties. Work involves elements of danger and requires physical strength and agility at times to apprehend or subdue persons suspected of crimes.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary.

• Attend Roll Call in order to receive briefing on incidents, wanted suspects, stolen vehicles, suspicious situations, missing persons, and other pertinent items.
• Patrol assigned areas, concentrating on high frequency crime locations and known trouble spots, keeping alert for wanted suspects, stolen vehicles, known criminals, traffic violators, crimes in progress, etc.
• Investigate criminal or illegal activities, unusual or suspicious activities and conditions, traffic accidents, etc.; enforcing applicable Federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Prepare necessary reports, interviews, narratives, and follow-up on violations and complaints; issues necessary citations or warning notices, as appropriate.
• Handle miscellaneous citizens' calls for assistance, such as: stranded autos, abandoned or disabled vehicles, standing by for citizen property removal, etc.
• Investigate traffic accidents, completing necessary reports and citations, and provide any necessary services, e.g. first aid, traffic control, scene clearance, etc.
• Observe traffic flow for violations and issues warnings and citations to violators, consistent with department policy.
• Query suspects through CIB and NCIC for wants and warrants, probation/parole status, criminal history, etc., to facilitate criminal investigations.
• Interview arrestees, fill out necessary paperwork, finger-printing and process subjects, transport arrestees to the appropriate detention facilities as circumstances and department policy dictate.
• Provide necessary medical, physical, or protective services to ensure the safety of crime victims, citizens, or property.
• Gather crime scene evidence as appropriate.
• Perform all duties within the guidelines of WPD Mission and Values, Department Policy and Procedures, Federal and State Law, and City Ordinance.
• Serve outstanding subpoenas or warrants.
• Evaluate erratic or impaired driving, conduct field sobriety tests, and make OWI arrests if probable cause exists for such arrest.
• Investigate domestic violence/abuse complaints; make arrests in compliance with department policy and state law.
• Testify at court proceedings.
• Actively participate in training as an instructor and/or student. Programs include first aid/CPR certification, firearms qualification and training, defensive tactics, in-service, legal updates, etc.
• Gather vice and narcotics information, and take appropriate enforcement action. Forward information on organized crime, vice, narcotics activities to the appropriate enforcement agency.
• Investigate child abuse/neglect complaints, gather all initial information, provide for protection of the child, ensure that all evidence collection is completed, and complete necessary reports. Refer complaint to Juvenile Officer and/or Criminal Investigators.
• Provide preventive maintenance on all personal equipment; comply with maintenance schedules and practices for assigned police vehicles and other department equipment.
• Proactively recognize problems and situations within assigned area. Seek appropriate resolution to such issues.
• Work cooperatively with fellow WPD officers, officers of local law enforcement agencies, and other agencies such as fire department, local hospitals, social service agencies, probation and parole, department of public works, etc.
• Perform crowd and traffic control at parades, festivals, demonstrations, and other events.
• Provide presentations to schools, business organizations, civic groups, etc.
• Conduct licensed premise checks, looking for liquor law violations and criminal activities.
• Assume specialized duties, e.g. Field Training Officer, Sensitive Crimes Investigator, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Evidence Technician, etc.
• Complete all special assignments, projects, policies, and investigations as assigned.
• Assume various responsibilities in absence of a dispatcher, e.g. answering emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, dispatching appropriate units, operating and monitoring communications equipment, etc.
• Assume various responsibilities in absence of Lieutenant, e.g. field supervision, prioritizing of work assignments, etc.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• By the date of hire, employee must have either obtained 60 college credits from an accredited college, OR must have graduated from a Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy.
• If employee has completed the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy and does not have 60 college credits, they must agree to obtain 60 college credits from an accredited college within 5 years of the date of hire.

Language Skills

• Ability to persuade, convince, and/or train others. Ability to advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as code manuals, City ordinances, directories, State statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
• Ability to understand and execute complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with City personnel, Department personnel and general public.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with court officials, business persons, public organization representatives, attorneys, other law enforcement personnel and the general public.
• Ability to quickly make assessments of emergency situations, determine appropriate responses and act assertively; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
• Good human relations skills.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Fluency in second language preferred.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to complete accurate mathematical calculations as may be required of the position.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in emergency and non-emergency situations in accordance with departmental rules and regulations.
• Ability to cope with emergency situations calmly but effectively and to react quickly to secure accurate and precise information on the location, extent and nature of the emergency aid requests
• Ability to quickly make assessments of emergency and non-emergency situations, determine appropriate responses and act assertively; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
• Ability to work well under pressure and handle stressful situations, to organize work and set priorities, managing time and resources to meet deadlines and changing demands, perform duties with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper courses of action. Ability to exhibit good judgment in resolving conflicts among disparate individuals and groups. Ability to think clearly and decisively in the application of law enforcement duties and to take appropriate action as the situation dictates.

Equipment Operated

• Skill in the care, use and operation of departmental equipment, including but not limited to vehicles; handgun; medical equipment, radios, radar units, weapons, intoxilyzer, PBT's; police radio; baton; handcuffs; personal computer; 10-key calculator; first aid equipment; investigative equipment; cameras and video equipment; telephone; copy machine; fax machine.
• Working knowledge of basic computer functions and computerized record-keeping systems.

Other Qualifications

• Working knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment, including methods and practices of criminal investigation and identification, patrol, intelligence, traffic control, defensive tactics, public relations, etc.
• Knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; WPD Mission, Values Statement, Policies, Procedures, Rules, Regulations, and administrative and operations programs and projects; and court decisions relating to police powers.
• Ability to deal with the public, other law enforcement officers, outside agency representatives,