In School Police Officers

POLICE OFFICER

BLET certified
Minimum of one year of sworn law enforcement officer
Preferred (not required) SRO certification
General Statement of Duties
The School Resource Officer's main duty is to perform general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property at their assigned school during the time that school is in session. Specialized law enforcement work requires additional training and journey level experience. Performs general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property in the City when school is not in session.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this field must exercise judgement, initiative and calm control when performing duties; frequent public contact, which requires tact, firmness and decisiveness. Work involves significant independence of action and judgement. When not assigned to the school as SRO (during school breaks and summer breaks), that employee performs a full range of general law enforcement duties. Work includes patrolling the City during an assigned shift in a police car or on foot; preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; and executing related assignments. Employee must exercise judgement, initiative and calm control when performing duties. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from superior officers. Employee may be subject to hazards associated with law enforcement work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as dangerous persons, loud noises, and hazardous spills with fumes, oils, gases, or flammable liquids. As School Resource Officer, work is performed under general supervision of the Patrol Captain; and when working regular patrol duties, employee would be under direct supervision of the shift Sergeant. Employee is evaluated through observation, discussion and review of reports for adherence to laws, department procedures, community feedback and acceptance, and proper judgement. School Resource Officer is also evaluated by the Principal of assigned school periodically.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks
Participating in school activities, including some classroom instruction and establishing rapport with staff and school students to prevent drugs and other juvenile crimes.
Patrols streets in a police car, on bicycle, or on foot; responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted; investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citations; directs traffic and participates in other emergency operation activities.
Performs investigations of accidents or possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering physical evidence; performs investigative tasks, arrests and processes criminal suspects; presents findings in court.
Operates a two-way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters; maintains vehicle, weapons, and other equipment in standard working order.
Monitors adherence to parking ordinance and issues tickets for violations.
Prepares records and reports of activities.
Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; serves papers as needed.
May act as a telecommunicator in receiving emergency and routine calls from citizens needing police and fire assistance and operating a two-way radio to dispatch other officers on the shift to the call.
Additional Job Duties
Assist stranded motorists; gives information and directions to visitors and the general public.
Performs other related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of specialized assignment as School Resource Officer.
Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances and policies of the police department, especially relating to search and seizure, traffic control, pursuit, and arrest.
Considerable knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods and equipment.
Some knowledge of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures.
Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics.
Ability to plan school lessons and make effective school or public presentations, Ability to act with sound judgement in routine and emergency situations.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
Ability to present effective court testimony.
Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports,
Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, school students, and other public officials.
Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, hearing, kneeling, reaching, feeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, crawling, fingering, and performing repetitive motions.
Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to fifty (50) pounds of force occasionally, twenty (20) pounds frequently; and ten (10) pounds constantly.
Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.
Desirable Experience and Education
Graduation from high school supplemented by law enforcement training and specialized training regarding area of assignment and considerable law enforcement experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special Requirements
Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license and have completed at least the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission for certified law enforcement officers with prospects of successfully completing the entire certification process within prescribed time frames.
Special Note:
This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.