Police Officer

Police Officer

The City of Calistoga Police Department is looking for dedicated, community-focused Police Officers to join our team. If you're committed to public service, building strong community relationships, and making a difference every day, we want to hear from you. This journey-level position performs patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, community policing, and other law enforcement duties in a collaborative, service-oriented environment. California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate required.

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; makes investigations, assists in the preparation of cases, and testifies in court; serves in specialized departmental roles as assigned; provides information and assistance to the public; performs related work as assigned.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. No supervision of staff is exercised.

This is a sworn journey-level law enforcement class that performs all assignments found in a municipal police department. While incumbents are normally assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement, all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including crime prevention, investigation, K-9, school resources, administration, and training are included. Incumbents may be assigned to work in uniform or plain clothes. Shift schedules and job assignments may be changed periodically to assure the maximum delivery of effective police service. This class is distinguished from Police Corporal in that the latter is the first lead level in this sworn class series.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Patrols the City within an assigned area in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observe situations, report suspicious, criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deter crime by providing high visibility.

Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuses situations, and enforces laws and ordinances.

Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.

Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling assigned divisions by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required.

Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorist with inoperable vehicles and arranges for immediate removal of stranded vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations.

Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility, as required.

Secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence; performs complete investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.

Conducts comprehensive investigations into felony and high level crimes as assigned including conducting surveillance activities and coordinating and maintaining crime scene activities.

Assists the City Attorney or the District Attorney staff in preparing, documenting, and developing cases and gathering information; testifies in court as required.

Directs the activities of police support personnel and/or volunteers in office and field situations.

Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical assistance as necessary.

Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.

Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files.

Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.

Performs and/or coordinates specific program or projects, including community-oriented policing, school liaison, project and resource development, investigations, crime prevention, and/or field training.

Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.

Oversees the use and care of equipment as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects. Investigation and identification techniques and equipment. Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence. Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons. First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for effectively dealing with individuals of various ages, various socio-economic and ethnic groups, and effectively representing the City in contacts with the public. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to: Observe and document accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places. Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances. Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials. Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs. Coordinate and carry out special assignments. Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations. Enter information into a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work. Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations. Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner. Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and software programs. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.