Sergeant

Under the direction of a Captain, act as first line supervisor to direct a squad or section of police personnel in the performance of their assigned duties or specialized police work. Work is performed in accordance with departmental rules and regulations as well as city ordinances and state and federal laws. Situations or questions of an unusual or policy nature are referred to the Lieutenant for resolution. Work is reviewed by inspection and through oral and written reports.

The incumbent in this position: will help create and nurture a community oriented public safety department as envisioned by the City Council and set forth in the department vision and values statement; will respond positively to citizen concerns, encourage citizen involvement and the development of creative approaches to public safety; will participate in the coordination of Police Department efforts to impact perceived and actual crime problems; and will provide feedback to the department on community concerns and initiatives.

Essential duties may include but are not limited to the following

Attendance:
•Maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
•May be subject to extended work hours and call back outside of normal shift hours or days.

Incident Command:
•Represent the department and accept responsibility for the department's operations; take formal command at any incident requiring the presence of multiple police personnel or coordination of police activity; coordinate and supervise response of units to specific situations; determine need for additional assistance; provide back up and vehicle patrol when necessary. 
•Assess the sensitivity and complexity of situations to decide expeditiously the course of action to take, and determine when to notify higher command authority.

Investigations:
•Manage case follow up including investigating citizen complaints and crime victim services. Identify and initiate disciplinary action fairly and consistently.
•Investigate and resolve citizen requests for police service and/or complaints involving assigned personnel; reassure public concerns with safety, building public trust.

Laws/Regulatory Compliance:
•Maintain current knowledge of trends, practices, laws and legal decisions affecting area of responsibility and recommend necessary changes in department policy and procedure to superiors.

Police Officer:
•Perform all duties and tasks required in the rank of police officer.

Report Reviewing/Writing:
•Review the quality and accuracy of reports completed by subordinates. Prepare and review search warrants as required for investigations.

Relationship Building/Management:
•Actively promote and reinforce the goals, values and objectives of the department with citizens and subordinates; create a positive, constructive work atmosphere; promote harmonious working relations among subordinates and between various department units and staff; facilitate organizational change.
•Coordinate contact with other police agencies dealing with similar situations, case assignments and responsibilities.
•Coordinate multi-agency response to persistent criminal activity; plan police/community relations events; and train, lead or coordinate non-sworn and volunteer work units.   
•Attend meetings and conferences pertaining to department operations, the criminal justice system and the general public.
•Foster the core values of Community Policing by maximizing citizen involvement, promoting a total service orientation among employees, and encouraging a proactive, problem-solving approach to police service.
•Assess and analyze community needs, including crime trends, public safety needs, crime prevention, education, and citizen satisfaction.

Safety:
•Inspect and evaluate when appropriate, traffic problem areas for correction or improvement; coordinate traffic situations or incidents with Traffic Engineering; recommend changes in traffic patterns to improve traffic safety and flow.

Specialized Duties:
•As assigned, perform the duties of Quartermaster, as defined in the Lakewood Police Department Manual of Standards.

Supervision:
•Supervise, schedule and assign a squad or section of commissioned or noncommissioned police personnel; directly supervise patrol, traffic and investigations in the field and in an office environment.
•Monitor and evaluate job performance of assigned personnel; assure effectiveness of performance; provide career and personal counseling to subordinates when necessary or requested; make recommendations to supervisor when reprimands, discipline, commendations or other personnel actions appear necessary.
•Determine workloads; anticipate budgetary needs for squad or section.
•Inspect equipment and staff for condition, maintenance, appearance, approach and attitude as necessary to build and maintain the morale and public image of the department.

Workforce Development:
•Identify and assist in providing training programs for department personnel; assist in the development of department regulations, policies and procedures; assist department field training officers in the maintenance of PTO manual.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to: three years qualified, increasingly responsible, full-time commissioned law enforcement work experience with the City of Lakewood Police Department and an associate's degree in Management, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or a related field. Work experience, including diverse assignments in patrol, investigations, and community policing/proac response preferred.
 

Graduation from Washington State Police Academy or state-approved equivalent. Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center certification through first line supervisor level within one year of promotion or hire date.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
•City ordinances, Civil Service regulations, applicable state and federal laws and WAC rules. 
•Content, intent and application of criminal law.
•Adult and juvenile judicial procedures and the criminal justice system. Civil and constitutional rights; their content, intent and application.
•Organizational and planning concepts.
•Basic budgeting and purchasing techniques.
•Supervisory practices and performance evaluation techniques.
•Department regulations, policies and procedures.
•Laws of arrest, search and seizure. Techniques of investigation and interrogation. 
•Incident command.
•Criminal case preparation and procedures. Crime scene preservation and processing.
•Operation and use of specialized law enforcement equipment and vehicles.
•Street addressing, physical layout and characteristics of Lakewood and surrounding areas. 
•First aid principles and skill in their application.

ABILITY TO:
•Deal with the public courteously, firmly and effectively. 
•Maintain accurate and complete files and reports. 
•Maintain control in stressful and hazardous situations. 
•Analyze dangerous situations rapidly and accurately. 
•Enforce of all applicable laws.
•Determine level and scope of police response. 
•Prepare clear and concise written reports.
•Communicate effectively in English with co-workers, superiors and the general public, both orally and in writing.
•Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
•Assign, instruct and review work of subordinates in an effective working relationship. 
•Plan schedules and coordinate work of personnel in assigned squad or section.
•Supervise and evaluate performance of subordinates and interpret evaluation for correcting deficiencies in a positive manner.
•Enforce laws with firmness and tact.
•Make rapid and accurate decisions under stressful conditions.
•Assist subordinates in setting goals and planning and coordinating their work. Effectively deal with violations of rules, policies and procedures on an impartial basis.
•Learn specific duties and responsibilities of individual assignments and apply and carry out as required.
•Assume overall responsibility or command of department when required.
•Operate a motor vehicle, computers/keyboards, telephones, police radios, mobile data terminals, tape recorders, firearms, batons, handcuffs and other police related equipment.
•Command the respect of officers to maintain discipline and high morale.


WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work includes indoor and outdoor environment; subject to adverse weather conditions and possible verbal abuse; employees may be assigned to work evening and weekend hours, and are subject to call out. The performance of police duties requires above average physical endurance in running, climbing and lifting, as well as good balance, hearing and vision. Incumbents in this classification may be exposed to gunfire, toxic chemicals, traffic hazards, occasional driving at high speeds, communicable diseases and physical abuse from hostile or disoriented individuals.