CLASSIFICATION TITLE: POLICE OFFICER

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to provide protection of life and property, enforcement of federal, state and local laws, response to emergency/non-emergency situations, and investigation of criminal activity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Enforces all applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations (including traffic, criminal and civil) in order to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.
• Patrols designated areas via motor vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, wave runner, or on foot to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations; inspects doors, windows, and premises of residential/commercial buildings/properties to ensure security or to detect suspicious conditions; responds to active alarms at residences, businesses, and industries; checks suspicious vehicles, persons, or situations; investigates and reports public safety issues such as roadway hazards, malfunctioning traffic signals, damaged street signs, or other problems; investigates and reports non-criminal offenses such as non-criminal damage to property for civil reporting purposes; maintains high visibility in the community.
• Responds to calls relayed by dispatchers, including domestic disputes, abuse, assaults, rape, burglaries, thefts, fatalities, abduction, lost/missing persons, search/rescue operations, traffic accidents, property damage, alarms, bomb threats, natural disasters, public service duties, stranded motorists, or other problem situations.
• Prevents/discovers commission of crime; issues citations; pursues fleeing suspects; apprehends, arrests, and processes criminals, fugitives and offenders; conducts searches of suspects or arrestees; develops informants to provide information in criminal investigations.
• Conducts preliminary investigations of complaints or incidents; interviews victims, complainants and witnesses and records statements; secures crime scenes, processes crime scenes for basic evidence, and protects integrity of evidence; gathers information and evidence, and makes photographic records of scenes; places evidence into custodial control; sends evidence to crime laboratory as appropriate, such as blood evidence in DUI cases; prepares detailed reports and sketches.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, which may include lifting, dragging or carrying people away from dangerous situations, securing/evacuating people from particular areas, administering CPR or first aid, or extinguishing small fires.
• Enforces vehicle operating laws, parking laws, and DUI laws; conducts field sobriety tests; uses visual observation and radar/laser speed detection units to enforce speed laws.
• Responds to traffic accidents/complaints; investigates collisions/accidents involving fatalities, personal injuries, and hit-and-run drivers; measures accident scenes and makes drawings of accidents; reviews evidence, reconstructs accidents, and makes recommendations; investigates traffic hazards; coordinates removal of debris or other hazards from roadways.
• Provides traffic control, crowd control, police protection, or security escorts for accident scenes, malfunctioning traffic signals, school crossings, funerals, businesses, sporting events, dignitary visits, special events, or other situations as appropriate.
• Transports arrestees, mental patients, members of the general public, or other individuals as required.
• Requests status reports for drivers license, drivers histories, criminal histories, or other information from state/national (GCIC/NCIC) criminal information computer database.
• Participates in court activities; responds to court subpoenas; assists in preparing case files and evidence for court presentation; testifies and presents evidence during court.
• Provides assistance or backup support to other officers, emergency medical providers, fire department personnel, state/federal law enforcement agencies, other law enforcement agencies, or other public service agencies; provides emergency response on a twenty-four hour basis as needed.
• Writes search/arrest warrants; transports to Magistrate to be sworn and activated; serves arrest warrants, search warrants, subpoenas, or other documentation as needed.
• Performs public service duties; provides general assistance to the public, such as providing directions, changing fire alarm batteries, inspecting properties, assisting stranded motorists, or completing VIN/tag inspections; provides general information pertaining to safety, juvenile problems, civil/criminal matters, legal assistance, ordinances, or other issues; assists visitors with filing police reports or obtaining copies of reports.
• Operates a variety of standard and specialized machinery, equipment, and tools associated with law enforcement, which may include a police vehicle, standard/emergency vehicles, wave runner, all terrain vehicle, firearms, chemical weapons, emergency equipment, radar/laser equipment, mobile radar trailer, alcohol testing equipment, drug testing kits, processing kits, noise meter, handcuffs, restraining devices, baton, flashlight, fire extinguisher, measuring devices, photographic equipment, tape recorder, radio/communications equipment, Kevlar vest, gas mask, helmet, safety equipment, telephone, hand tools, or general office equipment.
• Inspects/maintains assigned police vehicle, all terrain vehicle, wave runner, uniform, weapons, or other equipment.
• Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; performs driving functions in a safe and efficient manner under various conditions, including day/night hours, in congested traffic, in adverse weather conditions, and in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, incident reports, accident/injury reports, miscellaneous reports, arrest/booking reports, missing person reports, vehicle reports, juvenile complaint forms, domestic victim notices, license suspension notices, warrant requests, use of force forms, search consent forms, citations, warnings, inspection forms, diagrams, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, incident reports, accident/injury reports, supplemental reports, witness statements, criminal history reports, driver history reports, BOLO notices, bulletins, after-hours arrest warrants, court orders, laboratory reports, photographs, subpoenas, crime statistics, training bulletins, laws, codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, maps, diagrams, bulletins, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; utilizes word processing, database, or other computer programs.
• Maintains records, logs, and files of work activities; maintains current manuals, policies/procedures, bulletins, map books, and other materials for reference and/or review.
• Communicates in person, via telephone, and/or via two-way radio; provides information and assistance; responds to requests for service or assistance; communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Communicates with supervisors, officers, employees, dispatchers, other divisions/departments, law enforcement agencies, fire personnel, emergency/medical personnel, jail personnel, court officials, attorneys, victims, complainants, prisoners, suspects, the public, the media, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to obtain information, coordinate activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Responds to complaints and questions related to law enforcement issues and activities; mediates disputes; provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution.
• Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public; maintains and promotes peace and order in the community; provides education and information to the public on laws, law enforcement, crime prevention, drug abuse, gang awareness, safety, and related issues.
• Attends shift meetings, training sessions, and seminars as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations/activities, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law; participates in physical fitness training and continuing education activities; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations.