What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lateral/Certified Police Officer position at Allen County Government?
Department: Sheriff’s Department FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Classification/Level: Sworn Date: 01/2025
The following essential job functions comprise a summary of job duties, requirements, and responsibilities for the position of Police Officer with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. Day-to-day job duties may vary depending on assignment to various divisions. This document will serve as the primary document in the selection and hiring process, and constitutes the context for incumbent job performance and evaluation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention
Enforces local, state, and federal laws by implementing effective policy for the prevention and investigation of crimes, to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Allen County.
Patrols assigned area, maintains visibility for crime prevention purposes, checks and ensures security of residences and businesses, investigates and reports all suspicious or unlawful activities, and takes necessary actions to ensure the proper enforcement of applicable laws.
Observes traffic violations, detains violators, checks registrations and licenses for status and identification, and advises drivers of violations and safe driving practices.
Conducts or requests chemical tests for intoxication as necessary, issues warnings, summonses, and citations, and makes arrests as necessary.
Pursues suspects and makes arrests by driving, walking, or running. Restrains suspects, conducts searches of persons, advises suspects of constitutional rights, transmits information regarding arrests to dispatch, and transports suspects to jail facilities.
Emergency Response and Public Safety
Reports to scenes of general emergencies, secures scenes, assesses the need for backup and/or assistance from other emergency personnel, and advises dispatch as appropriate.
Directs traffic and other activities as needed, removes individuals from danger, including carrying injured individuals, and performs first aid techniques until emergency medical personnel arrive.
Assists with crowd control by maintaining order and the flow of pedestrians and vehicle traffic at scenes of major incidents or special events.
Provides escort and/or security services as assigned.
Community Assistance and Interaction
Assists citizens with various problems, including disputes, abandoned vehicles, lost children, and locked doors.
Meets and talks with citizens to develop rapport, provides directions or information, advises on safety procedures, and refers individuals to appropriate agencies.
Detention and Court Operations
Maintains security and order in jail facilities, performs booking procedures, monitors detainees' activities and behavior, and supervises meal distribution.
Detention and Court Operations – (Continued)
Supervises the maintenance and cleaning of facility and cell areas, issues medications, conducts searches of cells and individuals, transports detainees, and prepares required reports.
Provides court security, prepares court calendars, and schedules detainee appearances.
Transports detainees to and from courtrooms and jail facilities, conducts searches of detainees and the public for weapons and contraband, and monitors conduct during court hearings.
Delivers court documents, escorts jurors, provides security, and arranges meals, accommodations, and juror payroll.
Investigations and Legal Processes
Conducts investigations of criminal activity and reviews case information to determine if elements of a crime are present and if further investigative action is necessary.
Gathers and collects facts and physical evidence, including reconstructing incidents through measurements, notes, sketches, photographs, and latent prints.
Establishes contacts and interacts with informants, conducts interviews to obtain information regarding the nature of offenses and identifies suspects, and develops and follows up on leads.
Conducts criminal history checks, prepares line-ups and/or photo displays, and participates in surveillance.
Serves various legal documents, including summonses, court orders, and notices of hearings.
Executes levies from County and State courts, prepares warrant requests, presents evidence for warrant approval, conducts searches, apprehends individuals with outstanding warrants, advises individuals of their constitutional rights, and maintains documentation of execution.
Communications and Documentation
Operates and monitors radio transmissions, receives and disseminates emergency and non-emergency police information, logs relevant details, and acknowledges receipt of communications.
Maintains communication during emergency calls to ensure appropriate response and coordination of law enforcement activities.
Completes all required reports and activity logs, maintains confidentiality, and testifies in court to present case information and evidence in accordance with departmental policy.
Interagency Collaboration and Professional Development
Maintains contact with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.
Fosters good communication and working relationships with department personnel, local officials, and citizens.
Attends mandatory in-service and training programs for certification in specialized law enforcement areas as assigned or required.
Participates in meetings by receiving and providing information relevant to law enforcement duties and responsibilities.
Equipment and Personal Maintenance
Maintains the appearance and serviceability of assigned vehicles, equipment, and supplies required to perform job functions.
Ensures that forms, reports, and other materials necessary for job duties are adequately stocked and readily available.
Maintains physical fitness, personal appearance, and uniforms in accordance with departmental policies to ensure readiness and professionalism.
Other Duties as Assigned:
Maintains the appearance and serviceability of assigned vehicles, equipment, and supplies required to perform job functions.
REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Certification
Must have a High School Diploma or GED
Must be a United States citizen
Must be a Certified Police Officer through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), having completed the Law Enforcement Training Board (LETB) basic course, Tier One Academy
Experience and Character
Must have completed the probationary period
Must possess at least one year of experience as a full-time Police Officer
Physical and Mental Requirements
Must have visual acuity correctable to 20/40 or better in each eye. Must be able to distinguish the colors red, green, and amber. Must not have any diagnosed eye pathology
Must display emotional maturity and the ability to handle stressful and volatile situations in a professional manner
Must be able to make forceful arrests, pursue suspects by driving at high speeds, running, climbing stairs, scaling walls, and jumping fences
Must be able to take authoritative action and deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in dangerous situations
Must be able to complete the physical entrance standards of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)
Must be able to complete the Allen County Sheriff’s Department written testing process
Knowledge and Skills
Must have thorough knowledge of, and the ability to apply, department practices, procedures, rules, and regulations
Must know community geography, police jurisdiction, and boundaries
Must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing, speak clearly and distinctly, and understand and be understood when communicating in person, by radio, or by telephone
Must demonstrate tact and diplomacy when interacting with individuals, including sensitivity to professional ethics, cultural diversity, and disabilities
Must be able to use and maintain all assigned vehicles, equipment, and uniforms
Must be able to operate computer systems and properly collect and preserve evidence
Workplace Responsibilities
Must meet all departmental hiring and retention requirements, including successful completion of written exams, physical agility tests, oral boards, medical exams, polygraph, and psychological evaluations
Must obtain passing scores in the Handgun Course of Fire and Shotgun Course of Fire, as required by the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board
Must arrive at work on time and attend all work-related functions, including court testimony, roll call, debriefings, and other special assignments
Must be able to adapt to changing weather conditions, work environments, and irregular or extended hours, and respond to emergencies from off-duty status as assigned
PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:
The Police Officer maintains frequent contact with other County employees, inmates, and the public when performing police work in Allen County. Regular interactions with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, county officials, and
detainees are required to ensure effective communication and coordination. The role also involves engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds in various situations, requiring professionalism, tact, and diplomacy. Officers must foster positive working relationships with department personnel and community members to promote trust, manage potentially volatile situations, and maintain public safety.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The Police Officer works in various environments, including office settings, jail facilities, and outdoor locations in all weather conditions. The role requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching overhead, and lifting, along with the ability to push, pull, kneel, crawl, and climb as needed. Officers must maintain physical endurance to pursue suspects on foot, perform arrests, and carry injured individuals. The position involves handling dangerous equipment, exposure to noise, extreme temperatures, chemicals, and noxious odors. Officers must remain alert and maintain attention to detail while managing potentially violent or aggressive individuals to ensure the safety of themselves and others.
Requires physical endurance and mobility for pursuits, arrests, and emergency responses.
Involves frequent exposure to hazards, including extreme temperatures, noise, and chemicals.
Demands control in high-risk situations with potentially violent individuals.
The description below outlines the physical requirements for the Lateral Certified Police Officer role:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Occasionally =
1 to 2 hours
Frequently =
3 to 4 hours
Repeatedly =
5 to 6 hours
Continuously =
7 hours
Sitting
X
Standing
X
Walking
X
Fine Motor Skills
X
Gross Motor Skills
X
Repetitive Motions
X
Lifting
X
Carrying
X
Pushing/Pulling
X
Physical Endurance
X
SUPERVISION:
This position does not supervise other employees.
LICENSING:
Certification by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
Certification or ability to be certified in first aid/CPR
Certification or ability to be certified in IDACS/NCIC
Valid driver's license
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:
Corporal
HOURS:
Standard 40-hour workweek, with additional hours as needed.
EEO CATEGORY:
0404
WORKERS’S COMP CODE:
7720
I agree that the contents of this job description are a fair and accurate representation of the duties of this position being described.
Employee Printed Name: ____________________________________________
Employee Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________________
Supervisor Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________________
Salary : $34