Police Officer

Description

Summary

Performs law enforcement and crime prevention work that includes patrol, investigation, service of warrants, issuance of citations for violation of city ordinances and state statutes, and general enforcement of federal, state, and local laws.
Distinguishing Career Features

The Police Officer is the first position in a law enforcement career ladder that provides opportunities for advancement based on competency and professional development. The Police Officer requires basic certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Advancement potential exists by obtaining higher level certifications as well as subject matter certificates from the same certifying body.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Patrols a designated work shift that will vary from time-to-time. Maintains continuous availability by radio and/or telephone while working a shift. Conducts automobile and foot patrol, traffic control, investigation, and first-aid duties at incidents or accidents.
• Patrols city streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to deter crime, preserve peace, and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct and law violations.
• Responds to calls and reports of possible crime and takes initial action as situations require for securing the scene. Responds to emergency calls for a variety of incidents such as, but not limited to, accidents, civil disturbances, domestic disturbances, missing children, prowlers, etc. Ensures that calls for ambulance and other assistance are made.
• Interviews and interrogates available victims, witnesses, and suspects. Completes incident and arrest reports. Gathers and preserves evidence. Describes and documents the scene of the incident to include measurements, photographs, and descriptions. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests or issues citations to offenders.
• Conducts follow-up investigations of incidents and crimes during the assigned work shift. Locates and interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects. Develops leads. Searches the scene of the incident for additional evidence. Documents and prepares cases for arrest and legal proceedings.
• Participates in the investigation of criminal law violations. Gathers crime scene evidence and compiles information to support investigations. Prepares cases for filing of charges, court testifying, and related uses.
• Prepares a variety of records and reports such as, but not limited to, investigations, field interrogations, vehicle impound, traffic hazards, alcohol-breath analyzer readings, bad checks, and routine shift activity.
• Coordinates work activities with other officers and City departments, as needed. Exchanges information with other law enforcement agencies. Seeks advice from the City Attorney, Courts, and Chief of Police to support work activity and direction.
• Participates in community-based Police activity and programs. Provides general information about department activities and special programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Requirements

Knowledge and Skills

The position requires a working knowledge of all phases of police work including principles and practices of modern crime prevention, investigation, criminal identification, apprehension, rules of evidence, traffic control and safety, care and custody of prisoners, and record keeping. Requires a working knowledge of constitutional and statutory laws governing law enforcement, the geography of the community and the location of private and public commercial activity. Requires sufficient physical skill to apprehend and detain suspects, use a firearm and other weapons, and operate a vehicle at high speed. Requires a working knowledge of criminal behavior that contributes to crimes. Requires well-developed human relations skill to resolve conflict, conduct interviews and interrogations, work with disturbed or angry, or emotional individuals and groups, and cooperate with a work team. Requires sufficient language and writing skill to prepare reports. Requires sufficient math skills to record measurements, sums, and readings.

Abilities

Requires the ability to carry out all aspects of the position and analyze situations quickly and objectively to recognize actual and potential dangers and determine proper course of action. Requires the ability to read and understand laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Requires the ability to read and write in English and prepare reports. Requires the ability to cope with stressful situations firmly, tactfully, and with respect for individual citizen's rights. Requires the ability to communicating clearly, verbally and in writing. Requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and with citizens from varied racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Requires the ability to organize and use investigative techniques and procedures. Requires the ability to observe and remember detail. Requires the ability to work varying shifts and work locations.


Physical Abilities

Requires the ability to maintain cardiovascular fitness to function well in stressful situations requiring extreme physical effort.. Requires the ability to use speech and hearing to project voice in a noisy environment and for ordinary conversation and to hear sound prompts from equipment. Must have near visual acuity to write and to read printed materials and computer screens and to observe moving objects at a distance such as observe persons, operate a vehicle, and use firearms. Must be able to utilize manual and/or finger dexterity to type/keyboard and/or utilize mouse to operate a microcomputer and other equipment use a firearm, and operate stationary and mobile equipment. Requires sufficient physical strength to lift, drag, carry or restrain an adult. Requires full body coordination to perform personal defense, restrain an adult, jump over and climb obstacles, and walk and stand for a full shift. Requires basic physical proficiency with police equipment such as but not limited to radar gun, radio, handgun, police vehicle, ASP baton, handcuffs, breath analyzer, and first-aid equipment. Requires the officer to be able to perform a multiple of the above mentioned actions simultaneously. Requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. Requires the ability to render first aid.

Education and Experience

The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum age of 21 years, successful completion of a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) approved Police Academy prior to being hired. A complete Physical and Drug Test (TCOLE Form L-2), a psychological and emotional health test (TCOLE Form L-3) and a complete background check.


Licenses and Certificates

Requires a valid driver's license. Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Peace Officer Certificate. ARC First Aid Card, within 3 months.

Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors and outdoors where continuous safety considerations exist from physical labor and risk of harm, moving equipment and objects, dangerous situations, and temperature and noise extremes.