Police Officer I or Police Officer II

Summary:

Under supervision, the incumbent ensures the safety of citizens and property by preventing, reporting, investigating, and analyzing crime within the city limits.

General Purpose:

The purpose of this position is to Protect the lives, safety, health, welfare, and property of the citizens of Fountain by enforcing municipal, state and federal ordinances, statutes and laws. The POII position is differentiated from the POI position by experience.

Essential Functions:

• Maintains and supports a positive, collaborative culture within the City organization as a whole, fully embracing the cultural and values statements espoused by the City.
• Patrols assigned areas within the City to deter and detect illegal activities and to protect and preserve the safety and security of individuals and property; renders assistance to citizens as needed.
• Responds to dispatch calls and investigates citizen’s complaints and reported incidents, including crimes in progress, crimes discovered after the fact, disturbances, and accidents.
• Conducts preliminary investigations at crime scenes, traffic accident scenes, disturbances, and the like to preserve and/or collect physical evidence, diagram or photograph scenes, obtain statements, protect witnesses and possible subjects necessary for the reporting of circumstances and facts, for charging suspects and for necessary follow-up.
• Responds to and investigates traffic accidents; may establish traffic surveillance to observe and apprehend violators of traffic ordinances and statutes.
• Enforces criminal and municipal statutes and ordinances by issuing summons, making arrests, taking into custody, and giving verbal or written warnings.
• Reports traffic hazards and abandoned vehicles.
• Prepares a variety of written reports and records on incidents and violations of the law; including criminal, traffic, and informational reports; reviews reports to ensure consistency, accuracy, and thoroughness.
• Appears in Municipal, State and Federal courts and testifies as arresting officer or witness as required on matters related to criminal and civil actions. Offers assistance to citizens and visitors, such as giving directions and information, calling for roadside assistance, locating lost children.
• Attends and participates in briefings, prescribed courses of physical training, classroom instruction, and field exercises.
• Serves subpoenas, assists the courts with court security, and transports prisoners as necessary.
• Responds to medical emergencies and assists the fire department and ambulance as needed.
• Assists other law enforcement agencies as needed or required, including relaying written communication.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with citizens and co-workers.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts preventative maintenance on patrol vehicle and other equipment and firearms.
• Conducts crime prevention duties including participation in various crime prevention programs and speaking appearances in schools or businesses.
• Attends training courses as assigned or appropriate. Acquires up-to-date knowledge of all departmental policies and procedures, laws, ordinances, etc.
• Performs other duties and special projects as requested by superior.

Tools and Equipment Used:

Handles or uses machines, tools, equipment or work aids involving moderate latitude for judgment regarding attainment of a standard or in selecting appropriate items.

Physical Demands:

Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, jumping, dancing, stretching, or lifting all of the time and also involves exerting between twenty (20) and fifty (50) pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or exceptional skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands, or limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While many of this position’s duties are performed in an out-door environment, some duties may be required to be performed an equal amount of time in an in-door-environment. Position has exposure to temperature and climate extremes and is exposed to loud sounds of firearms and sirens.

Occasionally works is performed in emergency and stressful situations and the employee may be exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with crime and other emergency incidents, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemical, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. During these emergency situations, the employee works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night.

The employee occasionally works near mechanical parts, is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or chemicals. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infections materials in the course of their duties. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, except during crime and other emergency incidents when noise levels may be loud.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Police Officer I: Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent supplemented by specialized courses/training or work experience that is equivalent to completion of one year of college in law enforcement, criminal justice or closely related field.
• Police Officer II: Requires at least three (3) years of experience with a law enforcement agency such as a Municipal Sworn Officer, Patrol in a State or County Agency, or Patrol in the Sheriff’s office during the last (5) five years.

Certificates or licenses:

• Requires a valid Colorado driver’s license.
• Must possess basic Colorado Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Certificate and CPR and First Aid Certificate.

Impact of Errors

The impact of errors is very serious - affects entire organization and the general public or loss of life and/or damage could occur and probability is very likely.

Communication Requirements

Reads technical instructions, procedures manuals and charts to solve practical problems, such as assembly instruction for tools, routine office equipment operating instructions, and methods and procedures for investigations and in drawing and layout work; composes routine reports and specialized reports, forms, and business letters, with proper format; speaks compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

Judgment Requirements

Decision-making is a significant part of the job, affecting a large segment of the organization and the general public; works in a dynamic environment, responsible to assist in developing policies and practices.

Complexity of Work

Performs coordinating work involving guidelines and rules, with constant problem solving; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressures.