Police Officer

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION 
Performs law enforcement activities in the protection of life and property by patrolling assigned areas and responding to calls for service; conducts investigations of crimes and incidents; and performs other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 
The Police Officer class is the working-level position in the City’s law enforcement operations. Incumbents are assigned to a geographical area of the City to patrol either by foot patrol or in a vehicle and are expected to provide a full range of law enforcement services during an assigned shift. This class is distinguished from the Police Corporal that may be required to serve as a Field Training Officer or fill in as a shift supervisor.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED
General supervision is provided by the Police Sergeant or Police Corporal. Because of the nature of law enforcement work, incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise a great deal of individual initiative and judgment following their field training period.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.  

Perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; control traffic flow and enforce State and local municipal codes, violations, and traffic regulations; perform investigative work; participate in and provide support and assistance to special crime prevention and enforcement programs; and perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Department.

Essential Duties: 

1. Responds to complaints and perform general patrol on an assigned shift.

2. Prepares reports on crimes and investigations.

3. Contacts and interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects.

4. Issues citations and makes arrests for violations of laws and ordinances.

5. Conducts property checks on businesses and homes for the prevention of burglary and other criminal activities.

6. Assists with vehicle accidents and medical emergencies.

7. May assist other law enforcement agencies involved in emergency response or enforcement activities.

8. Preserves evidence at crime scenes and conducts follow-up investigations as directed.

9. Testifies in court proceedings when summoned.

10. Transports, books, and detains suspects in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.

11. Enforces traffic laws through the issuance of traffic citations and performs traffic control work as needed.

12. Conducts accident investigation.

13. Maintains good public relations.

Additional Duties Include: 
May assist in assigned administrative support activities; may serve as department representative to community committees or special functions; may assist in training other personnel in specialized skill areas such as personal protection and firearms.

QUALIFICATIONS The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. 

Knowledge of: 

1. Considerable knowledge of modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, and investigation.
2. Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure.
3. Procedures for the preservation of evidence, chain of custody, and presentation of evidence in court.
4. Basic investigation procedures including crime scene preservation and investigation.
5. Legal requirements for the handling, detainment, interrogation, and arrest of suspects accused of felonies and misdemeanors.
6. Techniques of fingerprinting, photographing, and booking suspects; laws and practices dealing with juveniles, sexual assaults, domestic violence, and victims’ rights.
7. Proper methodology for preparing a police report.
8. Use and care of firearms and other law enforcement equipment.
9. Ability to perform the full range of law enforcement activities.
10. Make accurate observations and remember details of situations and individuals.
11. React quickly and appropriately to emergency and life threatening situations.
12. Communicate effectively with a cross section of the community.
13. Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
14. Prepare concise, accurate, and grammatically correct incident and case reports.
15. Use and care of firearms and other law enforcement equipment.
16. Tactfully, professionally, and effectively represent the department to individuals, community groups, and other government agencies.

Education/Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 

Education/Experience: Sufficient experience and education to possess the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of graduation from high school and completion of a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain by date of appointment, an appropriate driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENTThe conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 

Environment: Position requires sitting, standing, walking, running, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and crouching in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in reading and writing reports and using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near, far, night, and color vision in viewing crime scenes and evidence and firing a weapon. As a law enforcement officer the incumbent if frequently required to run in pursuit and subdue suspects while taking them into custody; walk on uneven and slippery surfaces and climb ladders. Incumbents work outdoors in all weather conditions; around loud siren noises; moving vehicles. This position may require working around chemicals, pesticides, blood, and other potential toxic exposures. Incumbents may be subjected to physical threats, verbal abuse, and other stressful situations.

 Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. City of Placerville Police Officer

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

OTHER:

• P.O.S.T. Certificate/Educational Incentive – Additional $250 per month for Intermediate Certificate and/or AA Degree and an additional $600 per month for Advanced Certificate and/or BA Degree (cumulative $750 per month)

• Special Assignment Pay - Most special assignments include an additional 5% of base salary

• Retirement - CalPERS enrollment in either the 3% @ 55 or the 2.7% @ 57, formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the member contribution.

• The City participates in social security and Federal Medicare.

• Health Insurance – Excellent health benefits including medical, dental (including orthodontics), vision, and chiropractic coverage. Dental, vision, and chiropractic coverage is 100% employer-paid. Employee pays approximately 9% of medical plan premium.

• Life Insurance - $50,000 term life policy with an AD&D feature

• Holidays – 14 paid holidays per calendar year

• Vacation – 80 hours annually increasing based on years of service

• Sick Leave – Accrues at 3.7 hours per pay period (96 hours annually)

• Longevity Pay – 2.5% to 7.5% dependent upon years of service

• Master Officer Pay – $200 monthly with seven years of service with the City of Placerville

• Uniform Allowance - $1,000 annually
  
  

Only the most qualified candidates in relation to the needs of the City of Placerville Police Department will be invited to participate in the testing process. Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive, job-related background investigation, reference checks, and pre-placement medical examination.

Salary : $79,860 - $97,072