Patrol Officer

PATROL OFFICER

REPORTS TO: Patrol Sergeant

EMPLOYEE STATUS: Regular

SCHEDULE: Full-time

STANDARD HOURS PER WEEK: 40.00

OVERTIME STATUS: Non-Exempt
PRIMARY LOCATION: Kenedy, TX, 78119

TRAVEL: Up to 90% of the time

STARTING SALARY RANGE: $25.01/hour DOE/Certs

Summary/Objective:

The Patrol Officer is responsible for enforcing laws, preventing crime, and maintaining public safety within the City of Kenedy. This position conducts routine patrols, responds to emergency calls, performs traffic enforcement, and investigates criminal activity to protect citizens and uphold the law. Patrol Officers interact with the public daily, providing crime prevention education, conflict resolution, and emergency assistance while fostering positive relationships within the community. In addition to proactive policing, arrest procedures, and crime scene management, Patrol Officers conduct detailed reporting, testify in court, and assist with investigations to support successful case prosecution. Officers must demonstrate sound judgment, situational awareness, and de-escalation techniques in high-stress situations, ensuring the safety of themselves, fellow officers, and the public.

Supervisory Status:

This position carries no authority over personnel supervision.

Essential Functions:

- Conduct routine patrols in assigned areas to deter criminal activity, enforce laws, and respond to emergency calls, ensuring public safety and crime prevention.

- Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, including disturbances, accidents, medical emergencies, and crimes in progress, assessing situations and taking appropriate action.

- Enforce traffic laws and investigate traffic accidents, conducting stops, issuing citations, performing sobriety tests, and ensuring roadway safety.

- Conduct preliminary investigations of crimes, gathering witness statements, collecting evidence, and securing crime scenes to support further investigative efforts.

- Arrest and detain suspects in compliance with legal procedures, ensuring proper use of force, search and seizure laws, and adherence to department protocols.

- Complete detailed and accurate reports, documenting incidents, arrests, and investigations, while preparing case files for prosecution and providing court testimony when required.

Minimum Experience:

· A high school diploma or GED is required.

· Must be a licensed Texas Peace Officer or obtain a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer Certification prior to the start of duty.

· Must pass all required physical fitness, background checks, psychological exams, and firearms qualifications.

· A valid Texas driver’s license.

· No prior law enforcement experience is required; however, prior experience as a police officer, military law enforcement, or security professional is preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Patrol procedures, emergency response tactics, and traffic enforcement protocols, ensuring effective public safety operations.
• Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and state and federal laws, governing arrests, searches, seizures, and the use of force.
• Community policing principles, crime prevention strategies, and conflict resolution techniques to enhance public trust and reduce crime.
• Radio communications, report writing, and departmental documentation standards, ensuring accurate and legally sound records.
• Basic forensic techniques and crime scene management, preserving evidence integrity for investigative follow-up.

Skills in:

• De-escalation and crisis intervention, managing high-risk situations while ensuring officer and public safety.
• Vehicle operation at high speeds and defensive driving techniques, maintaining control in emergency response situations.
• Interpersonal communication and community engagement, fostering positive relationships with the public, businesses, and community groups.
• Firearm operation and defensive tactics, ensuring proficiency in law enforcement weaponry and non-lethal force options.
• Observation and situational awareness, identifying suspicious activity, recognizing threats, and making real-time assessments.

Ability to:

• React quickly and effectively under pressure, making critical decisions in dynamic law enforcement scenarios.
• Conduct thorough investigations of criminal activity, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and completing reports with accuracy.
• Interpret and apply laws, department policies, and court decisions, ensuring lawful enforcement actions.
• Testify in court proceedings, clearly articulating facts, evidence, and observations in a professional and legally sound manner.
• Adapt to changing priorities and unpredictable situations, demonstrating resilience and professionalism in all environments.

Work Schedule:
Patrol Officers follow a rotating shift schedule, which includes day, evening, and overnight shifts, as well as weekends and holidays. The position requires overtime, on-call availability, and extended hours in response to emergencies, critical incidents, and shift shortages. Work hours may vary based on department needs and public safety demands.

Work Environment:

The Patrol Officer primarily operates in a highly active and unpredictable environment (70%), frequently working outdoors in varied weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, and wind. The role involves exposure to hazardous situations (50%), including responding to violent crimes, vehicle accidents, and high-risk incidents where physical confrontation, environmental dangers, and life-threatening situations may arise. The position requires frequent exposure to noise (50%), including emergency sirens, radio communications, and public disturbances. High-stress environments (60%) are common, requiring quick decision-making in emergency response situations.

Physical Demands:

The Patrol Officer role requires frequent standing, walking, and running (60%), particularly during patrol operations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response. The position involves prolonged periods of sitting (40%) while driving, conducting administrative duties, and writing reports. The role demands frequent bending, crouching, and kneeling (30%), especially when detaining suspects, conducting searches, or assisting at accident scenes. Climbing (20%) may be required for accessing elevated locations, jumping fences, or navigating obstacles during foot pursuits. Wearing and carrying a duty belt and protective vest (100%) is mandatory, adding an additional 20–30 lbs. of weight throughout the shift. The position requires frequent lifting and carrying (30%) of equipment, individuals, or objects, with occasional lifting of over 50 pounds (10%) in situations involving injured persons, defensive tactics, or evidence collection. Strong fine motor skills (70%) are required for firearms operation, defensive tactics, and the use of law enforcement tools. Gross motor skills (80%) are essential for physical apprehensions, subduing suspects, and high-intensity movement. The position also requires high visual acuity (90%) for reading reports, identifying threats, and operating vehicles at high speeds. Hearing acuity (90%) is necessary to distinguish radio traffic, alarms, and situational sounds in both routine and emergency conditions.

Disclaimer:

The City of Kenedy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Kenedy provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during all phases of employment. The City of Kenedy will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Applicants or employees requiring accommodations should contact the City of Kenedy at (830) 583-2230 or via email at applications@kenedytx.gov.

All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment process, including a drug screening conducted in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, a job-related pre-employment physical examination consistent with ADA requirements, and a criminal history check conducted in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other applicable fair hiring practices and regulations. Pre-employment screenings, including drug testing and physical examinations, will be conducted in accordance with the ADA and other applicable regulations, ensuring they are job-related and consistent with business necessity. The City of Kenedy will provide applicants with the required notices and obtain written authorization prior to conducting any background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements. Employment with the City of Kenedy is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice. This policy may not be altered except by a written agreement signed by the City Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $25.01 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• On call
• Overnight shift
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)
• TCOLE Basic Peace Officer License (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)
• Night Shift (Preferred)
• Overnight Shift (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Kenedy, TX 78119 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Kenedy, TX 78119: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25