POSITION SUMMARY The Patrol Officer meets the definition of Police officer found in KRS 61.315(1). The Patrol Officer is required to have Peace Officer Professional Standards and Certification. The Patrol Officer is required to carry a firearm. This position faces a high degree of danger or peril through the use of force needed to make an arrest or by threats made against the authority the badge represents. The Patrol Officer is exposed to infectious diseases or blood borne pathogens as a result of working in close physical contact with the general public. This position requires a high degree of physical conditioning in order to make an arrest, apprehend suspects, and deal with the physical and mental stress associated with the duties of this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

A patrol officer is the community's first defense against crime and social disorder. He/she shall constantly be vigilant in the performance of his/her duties. Patrol officers have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a professional manner.
Patrol officers are responsible for:
Fair and impartial enforcement of the law;
Apprehension of offenders;
Preservation of social order;
Protection of persons and property from the unlawful acts of others.
A patrol officer shall be required to report for duty promptly at the time and place designated by lawful authority. He/she shall present himself for duty in proper uniform and in a neat appearance, shall listen attentively to the orders and instructions of his/her superior officers and shall be held accountable in the proper performance of his/her duty. Upon being assigned, he/she shall report promptly to his/her patrol area and shall perform his/her duties as required.
A patrol officer is charged with learning the geographical character of the City, including its streets, public buildings, hospital, schools, and other features of importance. A patrol officer should be able to assist strangers and other citizens in finding desired locations in the City.
A patrol officer shall be thoroughly familiar with his/her patrol area, to the extent that he/she can detect criminal offenses and other unusual occurrences requiring his/her attention.
A patrol officer shall, while on duty, maintain an alert and businesslike manner, shall not conceal himself for non-police purposes, nor leave the city without permission.
A patrol officer shall continuously patrol every part of his/her patrol area giving particular attention to locations where crime hazards are greatest. He/she should not patrol his/her area in a fixed pattern, but should alternate his/her route.
Whenever a door or window in his/her patrol area is found under unusual or suspicious circumstances, the patrol officer shall investigate thoroughly to determine if possible, whether a burglary or other crime has been committed. He/she shall, if necessary, request that the owner of the premises be notified in order that an inspection of the premises may be conducted. The dispatcher shall enter a record of all such incidents on the appropriate log.
A single officer should not enter any building in which he/she reasonably believes a burglar to be hiding, but should wait for assistance before taking any further action. He/she should monitor the building until assistance arrives. He/she should also never enter any building alone without another officer, the owner or legal custodian of the building present.
A patrol officer should observe all persons he/she encounters in his/her patrol area and shall investigate any persons whose appearance, conduct, or presence seems suspicious.
A patrol officer should be on alert for wanted and missing persons and stolen vehicles, which may be in his/her patrol area. He/she should investigate the occupants and contents of vehicles, which cause suspicion, but only within the limits of proper legal procedure.
When occasion demands it, a patrol officer shall courteously, but firmly, question persons on the public streets as to their names, address, cause of being on the street, and other matters relating to their circumstances.
A patrol officer shall be friendly toward all children and be ever watchful of their physical and moral welfare, using every legal means to prevent the formation of gangs and the disbanding of any in existence. He/she shall warn children away from playing in dangerous areas.
Patrol officers are charged with the enforcement of all provisions of local and state traffic codes.
A patrol officer shall take notice of all nuisances, impediments, obstructions, defects, or other conditions, in or adjacent to the street, alleys, and public places, which tend to endanger the health, safety, or convenience of the public. He/she shall report to the radio dispatcher street lights out, water leaks, traffic hazards or other physical conditions, which require immediate action. A notification shall be made to his/her superior officer, any traffic or other existing condition or hazard in need of correction but not requiring
immediate action.
A patrol officer shall carefully investigate all complaints on or near his/her patrol area that is assigned to him or which are brought to his/her attention by citizens. He/she shall take suitable action in those cases, which come under his/her jurisdiction and inform interested parties of the laws or ordinances relative to the particular complaint or incident. If the legal remedy of the complaint lies outside the jurisdiction of the Police Department he/she shall advise the complainant accordingly and refer him to the proper authority. Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.
Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
Consensus Building - Ability to bring about group solidarity to achieve a goal.
Decision Making - Ability to make critical decisions while following company procedures.
Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
Empathetic - Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of others.
Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
Goal Oriented - Ability to focus on a goal and obtain a pre-determined result.
Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
Leadership - Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions.
Loyal - The trait of feeling a duty to the employer.
Management Skills - Ability to organize and direct oneself and effectively supervise others.
Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.
Education
High School diploma or GED and Peace Officer Professional Standards Certification
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Certificates & Licenses
Kentucky Peace Officer Professional Standards Certification, Kentucky Operators License
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to motor vehicles, weapons, and blood borne pathogens