Police Officer Lateral/Academy Grad

Law Enforcement Officer

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of law enforcement and community relations duties involving collaborative problem solving with covered communities, the detection and prevention of crime; the protection of life and property; the enforcement of laws, codes, and ordinances; conducts surveillance; investigative work; controls of traffic flow and enforcement of traffic regulations; participations in, and provision of support and assistance to, crime prevention and enforcement programs; responses to various routine, emergency, and other calls for service or assistance; preparation of cases and testimony in court; assignments in specialized Departmental roles or on task forces; provision of information and assistance to the public; familiarization with community residents; and other related work as required or assigned. Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management as reflected in the Department organizational chart. Occasionally exercises functional and technical supervision over subordinate sworn trainees, and non-sworn personnel and volunteers as reflected in the Department organizational chart. This sworn-classification is responsible for independently performing law enforcement duties in support of the Police Department. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the Police Department.

Examples of Typical Job Functions

• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence for the purpose of detecting or deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public.
• Serves as a spokesperson and/or attends a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities; cultivates good community relations by appearing before civic, fraternal, and other community groups.
• Builds relationships with community-based partners and effective collaboration, and often, before conflicts arise; improves understanding of and insight into the needs of specific diverse communities; reaches and establishes trust with the most vulnerable groups in the community.
• Patrols the City to observe and address suspicious or potential criminal activity; responds to routine and emergency calls for service, including, but not limited to disturbances, burglaries, robberies, drug crimes, vehicle collisions, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, deaths, and other incidents to protect public safety, life, and property.
• Resolves problems and de-escalates/diffuses situations/conflict.
• Enforces State and local laws, ordinances, and codes.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations.
• Takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers against unlawful practices; issues citations; performs high-risk stops; makes arrests as necessary; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles; provides direction and traffic control at incidents, special events, or other congested situations.
• Coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes and related matters.
• Detains individuals; makes arrests; takes individuals into custody; transports individuals to for medical clearance, and/or booking at a longer-term facility; searches, fingerprints and photographs individuals.
• Evaluates and detains individuals for mental health holds.
• Prepares police reports and/or memoranda on detentions made, arrests made, activities performed, and incidents observed; prepares and maintains other related or Department reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Retrieves and requests information for law enforcement investigations; files complaints and performs other work related to the processing of criminal complaints; serves writs, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Prepares, files, and/or serves arrest and search warrants, including high-risk warrants.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; collects, processes, photographs, and presents evidence using scientific techniques including fingerprints, DNA, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence.
• Interviews people; documents interviews; interrogates suspects.
• Prepares cases for trial; testifies and presents evidence in court; coordinates activities of pre-trial investigation and preparation for the District Attorney's Office.
• 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 in accordance with Departmental policy; cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.
• Provides outreach to homeless individuals; observes for potential physical or behavioral health issues; conducts welfare checks; takes appropriate action as needed.
• When assigned, provides field training and trains officers in areas such as patrol, investigations, use of weapons, weaponless defense, traffic enforcement, safety, report writing, community-based policing, and Department policy and procedures.
• Assists in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required; schedules and implements crime prevention and educational programs.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in law enforcement.
• Releases information to the public in accordance with Department policy.
• Oversees the use and care of equipment.
• Observes and complies with all Department and City safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• May serve in a variety of specialized and/or collateral assignments including, but not limited to; detectives, training coordinator, intelligence-led policing, bike patrol, motors, K-9 handler, school resource officer, use-of-force instructor, reserve/cadet coordinator, crisis negotiator, SWAT, major collision investigations, explosive ordnance disposal, and specialized evidence response.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Police-Community Relations.
• Principles of "Guardian Mindset" and Procedural Justice.
• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement agency.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of law enforcement including patrol, investigations, interview and interrogation, crime prevention, and special operations functions.
• Laws and procedures with particular reference to the apprehension, detention and arrest of individuals committing crimes or suffering from mental health crisis.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Operational characteristics of vehicles and equipment used in law enforcement.
• Criminal court system processes and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of interviewing and eliciting information from people.
• Traffic control, enforcement, and education methods.
• Police communications, property, jails, and custody operations.
• Procedures in handling warrants, filing complaints, court appearances, and testifying.
• Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
• Applicable federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work performed, including the safe use and proper care of weapons and other modern police equipment/technology.
• Methods and techniques of preparing police reports, memoranda and related documentation.
• Self-defense tactics.
• The use of respirators and personal protective equipment.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and the release of confidential or public records.
• Department and City safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of service by effectively dealing with people.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform routine and complex duties, such as responding to calls for service and critical incidents to ensure the protection and safety of the community, people and property.
• Determine response to dynamic and rapidly changing critical incidents (e.g., in-progress crimes, active shooters); problem solve law enforcement and/or related situations; make sound, independent decisions in emergency/critical situations.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed; monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Coordinate activities of law enforcement and/or public safety personnel at