Detention Officer

Job Description

The Detention Officer maintains care, custody and control of all inmates. Enters data related to each Inmate booked into the LCPD Jail. This is a safety sensitive and/or DOT position. As such, you will be required to participate in random drug testing at the city.

Example of Duties

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Ensures the security and safety of inmates, staff and general public.
• Searches inmates upon arrival to jail, during cell inspections, when suspicious activity is observed, and when requested by Sergeant.
• Books inmates by entering data related to charges, warrants, medical information and personal information.
• Conducts cell inspections, cell checks and suicide checks; determines security status of inmates.
• Provides information and directions to the public.
• Complete paperwork required to release inmates; enters data, runs warrants, and releases the inmate from the jail or to another agency.
• Writes reports pertaining to complaints received.
• Answers the telephones and take messages.
• Provides meals, clothing, mattresses, blankets, and personal items to inmates.
• Maintains physical control of inmates by using minimal restraint techniques.
• Manages trustees.
• Performs fingerprint and photograph prisoners and citizens electronically using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) machine or manually using black ink.
• Collects breath/alcohol specimens from citizens suspected of driving while intoxicated using an intoxilizer instrument.
• Performs related work as required

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma (or GED equivalent)
• At least one (1) to three (3) years of related experience

• Must be able to obtain Intoxilyzer certification within one year.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:

• Business, English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Criminal charges and differences between classes of charges, in order to send paperwork to the correct courts
• Jail Management System
• Methods and techniques used in the control and custody of prisoners
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Proper handcuffing techniques
• Proper searching technique for different searching situations

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Proper searching technique for different situations

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Multi-task and prioritize
• Observe and interact with inmates in order to detect security problems
• React appropriately to emergency situations
• Use defense tactics properly to subdue inmates when needed
• Deal courteously with the public
• Handle combative and non-compliant inmates; read body language of combative inmates
• Write reports related to Use of Force situation
• Maintain logs
• Use the intoxilizer instrument
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Operate office/computer equipment to include typing
• To use defensive tactics properly to subdue an inmate when needed