Police Officer

Job Title

Police Officer

Job Description

Summary: Under general supervision, patrols assigned areas, responds to calls or observed violations, and enforces public safety and traffic laws, regulations and ordinances; performs crime prevention and investigation work to protect life and property; testifies in court hearings; assists other officers and performs special detail work as needed; performs related responsibilities as required. Distinguishing Characteristics: Receives supervision from a Police Sergeant.

Essential Job Functions

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The following list is not a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Patrols assigned district by automobile, motorcycle, or on foot in order to prevent and detect crime activity and enforce laws, regulations and ordinances.
• Responds to radio communications or citizen requests and investigates reported disorders, observed violations, and related incidents; collects and preserves, and transports physical evidence.
• Notes and reports traffic problems, abandoned or damaged vehicles and other safety hazards.
• Issues verbal warnings or written citations for parking or moving violations.
• Investigates traffic accidents and directs and controls the flow of traffic at the scene of accidents, signal failures and special events.
• Investigates, interviews witnesses, and prepares crime, incident, traffic collision, drug influence, missing person, and suspicious person reports; prepares special reports as assigned.
• Restores order and maintains peace at public gatherings or in conflict situations.
• Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime activity.
• Provides general information and assistance to the public.
• Identifies, pursues, apprehends, makes arrests, advises of rights, searches, and transports suspects.
• Appears in Court to testify regarding arrests or other law enforcement activity and case evidence.
• Administers emergency first aid to injured or incapacitated persons until medical personnel arrive.
• Participates in community awareness programs as information program to inform citizens of police functions, and crime prevention techniques.
• Processes and serves warrants.
• May perform the duties of Police Sergeant as directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of State motor vehicle codes, traffic safety regulations and municipal ordinances.
• Knowledge of Police science principles.
• Knowledge of Police department policies, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Theories of human behavior.
• Knowledge of Federal and state laws, statutes, local ordinances and Court decisions governing arrest and custody of prisoners, search and seizure, rules of evidence, and privacy rights.
• Knowledge of first aid techniques; safety rules and procedures; criminal investigation, crime prevention principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of self-defense methods and physical restraint techniques.
• Knowledge of radio codes and communications procedures.
• Knowledge of disease control methods and techniques.
• Skills in the operation of a police motor vehicle, firearms and weapons skillfully and safely.
• Skills in the operation of a two-way radio following proper communications procedures.
• Ability to pass physical, psychological and agility tests.
• Ability to tactfully and effectively relate with different racial, ethnic, age, and economic groups.
• Ability to comprehend and understand departmental rules, procedures, police instructions, laws and general literature pertaining to law enforcement activities.
• Ability to interpret State Motor Vehicle Codes and traffic safety laws and local ordinances.
• Ability to accurately recall the circumstances under which traffic violations occurred for testimony purposes.
• Ability to read City geography, streets layouts and traffic and crime patterns.
• Ability to understand and interpret maps to determine locations of calls.
• Ability to work effectively in team response situations.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in conveying commands.
• Ability to maintain alertness and concentration in emergency situations.
• Ability to accurately recall names, faces and details regarding crime incidents.
• Ability to follow proper safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to work under variable weather conditions.
• Ability to communicate and work cooperatively with co-workers, supervision, and public and private representatives.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral or written commands and instructions.
• Ability to complete clear and accurate police reports and work activity records.

Required: High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by completion of Peace Officer Standard Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission Basic academy. Six (6) months or more on-the-job training.

Special Requirements

• Current State of California Class C or Class 3 driver's license and acceptable driving record must be maintained. May be required to obtain a Class 4 or Class D license following hire, depending upon position assignment as a Motors Officer.
• The employee may be called to respond to police service calls at any time during assigned shifts and may be called out for assistance during off-duty hours.
• Ability to successfully pass background security investigation, meet City standards and successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination as a condition of employment.