Police Officer

Job TitleTo perform routine, non-routine and emergency law enforcement work including patrolling the City, responding to service calls, and performing investigations. Performs responsible protective service work involving a variety of general or support duty police assignments as a member of the City's Police Department. This employee is highly visible in crime areas and must be aggressive in preventing crime. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work including the potential for physical harm. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated for effectiveness, visibility, compliance with standards, public support, and attainment of performance objectives.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesPatrols high and low crime areas; talks to people in the community; checks security of buildings and residences; apprehends offendersInvestigates traffic accidents; uses measurement devices and eye witness accounts to determine violators; assists motorists in filling out or exchanging insurance informationMaintains readiness of police vehicle with fuel and air pressureServes criminal papers; locates people under indictment; serves warrants, orders for arrest, and criminal summonsObserves and follows people violating traffic laws, vehicle registrations and inspections laws, and other traffic offenses; enforces speed limitsConducts criminal investigations by gathering information, processing crime scenes, and interviewing witnessesTestifies in CourtTransports arrested personnel to a correctional facilityProvides field training and guidance in police work to less senior police officersResponds to domestic situations; attempts to resolve a conflict by recommending solutionsPerforms other related law enforcement work as requiredRequired Education and or ExperienceHigh school diploma or general education degree (GED).Special RequirementsValid N.C. driver's license and acceptable driving record.Basic Law Enforcement Certification (BLET) as a law enforcement officer by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission (required to be continuously employed)Preferred Requirement: Associate degree or equivalent from two-year College and prior law enforcement experience.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, and proceduresKnowledge of departmental standard operating policies and procedures, and federal, state, and local laws and ordinancesKnowledge of practices, materials, techniques, and equipment pertinent to job assignmentKnowledge of the City's geography and location of streets, homes, businesses, and buildingsKnowledge of criminal human behavior when confronted with difficult situationsKnowledge of effective communication practices including focused listeningKnowledge of English grammar, sentence structure, and vocabularyKnowledge of the operation and uses of personal computers including word processing and database softwareSkill in the use of firearms and other authorized law enforcement equipmentAbility and willingness to act quickly and properly in emergency situationsAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, and the general publicAbility to express thoughts clearly both orally and in writingAbility to work varied shifts and assignments including undercover activityAbility to work independently without close supervision and as a member of a teamAbility to take charge of emergency situations until relieved by a law enforcement superiorAbility to develop a positive public image, exercise judgment in all situations, and demonstrate a positive attitudePhysical RequirementsWork in this class is defined as medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up-to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up-to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. When apprehending suspects who resist arrest, work is deemed as heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas or other information between individuals or groups. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines and motor vehicles, determining accuracy and thoroughness of work and observing surroundings. The employee must be able to demonstrate continued physical fitness to withstand the rigors of a law enforcement officer and potential physical confrontation with assailants and/or foot chases for apprehensions. The employee may be required to use deadly force to subdue an assailant or to protect themselves or othersWorking ConditionsThe employee is exposed to both inside and outside working conditions in all types of weather from extremes of cold and heat to rain/snow/ice as well as varying terrain from streets, dense foliage, dark buildings, and water. The employee may be exposed to noise which would cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. Workplace conditions include operating vehicles for extended periods of time, working varied hours and shifts, and confronting violent persons many of whom have criminal records with little to no respect for law enforcement or who may be a threat to themselves or others. Work requires the application of safety precautions and wearing of protective clothing, gloves, and body armor designed to minimize exposure to blood-borne pathogens, communicable diseases, and bodily harm