Certified Police Officer (Transfer with LE Experience)

Police Officer, Certified

The purpose of this classification is to protect life and property, to respond to the needs of the general public, to deter criminal activity within the community, to enforce all city statutes, ordinances and the laws and regulations of the state, and to perform investigations, special details, and specific assignments within an assigned division.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Enforces all applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations (both traffic and criminal) in order to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.

Patrols designated areas via motor vehicle, bicycle, motor cycle, golf carts, personal water craft, rescue boat, or on foot to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations; inspects doors, windows, and premises of residential/commercial buildings/properties to ensure security or to detect suspicious conditions; responds to active alarms; maintains high visibility in the community.

Responds to calls relayed by dispatchers, including domestic disputes, abuse, assaults, burglaries, thefts, fatalities, traffic accidents, property damage, alarms, bomb threats, lost or missing persons searches, rescue operations, unattended deaths, public service duties, stranded motorists, dangerous drivers, animal calls, welfare, checks, found properties, abandoned vehicles, traffic control, and civil issues.

Prevents/discovers commission of crime; writes citations; pursues fleeing suspects; apprehends, arrests and processes criminals, fugitives and offenders as appropriate; assists in booking inmates into jail; conducts field sobriety tests; processes evidence; transports arrestees, prisoners, or other individuals as required.

Conducts preliminary and advanced investigations; obtains warrants; interviews victims, complainants and witnesses and takes statements; gathers information and evidence; secures crime scenes; prepares investigative reports and sketches; participates in court activities; testifies in judicial proceedings.

Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, which may include lifting, dragging or carrying people away from dangerous situations, securing/evacuating people from particular areas, administering medical aid, or extinguishing small fires.

Provides assistance and backup support to other officers as necessary; provides emergency response on a twenty-four-hour basis as needed; provides assistance to other law enforcement or public service agencies as appropriate.

Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; performs driving functions in a safe and efficient manner under various conditions, including day/night hours, in congested traffic, in adverse weather conditions, and in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits.

Inspects and maintains assigned police vehicle, uniform, weapons, and equipment; maintains cleanliness of vehicle; requests service and/or repairs as needed; maintains weapons and equipment in functional and presentable condition.

Performs research functions as needed; researches criminal histories and location of individuals via computer; searches driver's license files, pawnshop database, and L3 video systems.

Responds to complaints and questions related to law enforcement issues and activities; mediates disputes; provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution; answers the telephone; provides information, advice and guidance; takes and relays messages and/or direct calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.

Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public; provides education and information to the public on laws, law enforcement, crime prevention, drug abuse, and related issues.

Maintains records, logs, and files of work activities; maintains current manuals, policies/procedures, bulletins, map books, and other materials for reference and/or review.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, checklists, accident reports, incident reports, supplemental reports, complaint forms, DUI reports, property/evidence sheets, citations, suspension notices, impound forms, accident information sheets, diagrams, warrant applications, booking sheets, bail/bond forms, grant proposals, lesson plans, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, evidence sheets, witness statements, criminal history reports, warrants, subpoenas, summonses, court dockets, templates, diagrams, hit-and-run reports, toxicology reports, hospital records, laws, codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, maps, bulletins, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; provides information and assistance; responds to requests for service or assistance; communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.

Communicates with supervisors, officers, employees, other departments, dispatchers, law enforcement agencies, fire personnel, emergency/medical personnel, court officials, attorneys, victims, complainants, prisoners, suspects, the media, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to obtain information, coordinate activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Attends shift meetings, training sessions and seminars as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations.

Operates a variety of standard and specialized machinery, equipment, and tools associated with law enforcement, which may include a police vehicle, standard/emergency vehicles, firearms, taser, chemical weapons, emergency equipment, radar/laser equipment, radio/communications equipment, alcohol testing equipment, drug testing kits, processing kits, handcuffs, baton, flashlight, metal detector, measuring devices, camera, video camera, video cassette recorder, tape recorder, television, overhead projector, lighting equipment, casting materials, and hand tools.

Operates a personal computer, general office equipment or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, database, desktop publishing, computer-aided drawing, or other software programs.

May perform special operations/detail activities such as crime prevention/analysis, crime scene specialist, special events coordinator, school resource (SRO), desk, media/public information, special response team (SRT), drug task force, Traffic enforcement, beach and waterfront patrols, negotiations, juvenile, homicide, narcotics, environmental protection (Haz-Mat), training, teaching, and/or other duties as assigned.

May coordinate special events with other city departments and police agencies; approves event permits, creates traffic plans, maintains a current database on taxi cabs and drivers, and discusses current business licenses with city services.

May serve as liaison between police department, school principals, faculty, parents, and students; providing counseling to same individuals on law and non-law related topics; prepares and teaches law related classes to students.

May participate in parent, teacher and student organization meetings; assists school administration with developing and educating school personnel on school crisis management plans.

Coordinates with store loss prevention officers to identify suspects of shoplifting and other crimes.

May be called upon to escort city personnel leaving work after dark, and escort bank deposits as requested.

Attends community meetings and assists with community activities, programs, and crime prevention; may promote and participate in a drug awareness program.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; one (1) previous experience in law enforcement; some public relations experience in a similar police/law enforcement or related environment preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina driver's license. Must be at least 21-years of age. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Must possess and maintain valid the following certifications: South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement. Must be trained in CPR. Must be qualified to operate a firearm. May be required to attain and maintain other certifications as related to assignment.

Core Competencies

Self-Development - Is personally committed to and actively works to continuously improve him/herself; understands that different situations and levels may call for different skills and approaches; works to deploy strengths; works on compensating for weakness and limits

Integrity and Trust - Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain

Ethics and Values - Adheres to an appropriate and effective set of core values and beliefs during both good and bad times; acts in line with those values; rewards the right values and disapproves of others; practices what he/she preaches

Customer Focus - Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect