Sergeant - Zuni Police Department (Closing: April 8, 2025)

SERGEANT

FT/REGULAR

NE - LEVEL 10

SALARY: $24.33

GENERAL DEFINITION: The primary purpose of this position is to perform protective service work of moderate difficulty in directing, coordinating and supervising activities of Police Officers assigned to patrol in vehicles, or on foot in designated areas of the Zuni Reservation, while enforcing the Law & Order Code within the Zuni Reservation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Work is performed under the general supervision of the Lieutenant. However, the incumbent works with a high degree of independence and is required to make instantaneous decisions in emergency situations to protect lives and property, prevent crimes and maintain order.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises Police Officers, Police Cadets, and Community Service Aides.

DUTIES:

Supervises and oversees the patrol and law enforcement activities during assigned shift. Responsible for the enforcement of Tribal, State, and Federal codes and statutes on the Zuni Reservation.

• Coordinates, directs and supervises patrol operations.
• Supervises the investigation of crimes and may participate in investigations, including routine gathering of evidence, questioning of witnesses, and apprehension of suspects.
• Performs, directs, and or participates in all normal patrol activities, including enforcing Tribal Criminal and Traffic Code, State laws, and Federal Code, issuing citations, making arrest based on probable cause, administering first aid, and transporting prisoners
• Responds to questions from residents and visitors about rules, regulations, and general information about the reservation and Tribal organization.
• Serves court documents to include court summons, court subpoenas, arrest warrant, and civil papers.
• Testifies at court hearings; presents evidence and may serve as an expert witness.
• Supervises, responds to, investigates traffic accidents, and directs traffic as needed.

Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of assigned shift officers involved in traffic and field patrol, investigations, crime prevention, community relations, and related services and activities.

• Prepare and administer shift briefings.
• Assumes command of Patrol Officers in meetings, inspects their uniforms and equipment, as well as reads orders to them.
• Coordinate work schedules and trainings for Police Officers.
• Evaluates annual performance for assigned staff and recommends appropriate recognition, disciplinary action for personnel, and counsels assigned personnel on job performance and disciplinary matters.
• Communicate, Enforces, and interprets departmental rules, regulations, and policies.
• Reports infractions of Department policies to superiors and proceed with administrative adverse actions as necessary.
• Identifies operational problems and recommends solutions.
• Conduct in review of assigned activities to identify problems and develop recommendations for improving services.
• Supervise, coordinate, and participate in the development and implementation of community relations and crime prevention programs.
• Apply Community-Oriented Policing by facilitating and sustaining interactive relationship between community, other departments, and police officers.
• Knowledge and application of Constitutional Policing concepts.

Performs administrative and outreach duties.

• Communicates with the Lieutenant and Tribal Prosecutor to ensure all legal documents by Patrol Officers are submitted within a 24 - 48-hour time frame.
• Prepares Employee Evaluations for subordinates and Individual Development Plans.
• Prepares and submits written reports of incidents, police activities, daily activity logs, and other narrative and statistical reports as required in a timely manner.
• Review incident reports, required forms, summons, records, and related documents prepared by subordinates to ensure accuracy and timely completion; correct or instruct officers to make corrections.

Performs other duties as assigned or necessary.

• Maintains weapons and other equipment accountability and maintenance to ensure they are in good working order.
• Conducts vehicle preventative maintenance inspections to ensure vehicles are clean, safe, and operational.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Thorough and complete understanding of applicable federal, state, and tribal laws; jurisdictional boundaries, laws, rules and relationships in McKinley County. Thorough knowledge of management principles and practices, preferably in law enforcement and public administration. Thorough knowledge of the constitutional protection afforded individuals, including rules concerning search and seizure, questioning or arrest, the difference between felonies and misdemeanors and between criminal and civil infractions; and the procedures for handling suspects, prisoners and witness: Through knowledge of and competence in the use of all fire arms used in performing the work of the position: Thorough knowledge of and competence in specialized law enforcement techniques used in building searches and vehicle stops, protection of dignitaries, sensitive surveillance operations and advance investigative techniques; skill in the use of self-defense tactics to protect self and others; A considerable degree of negotiating skills and ability to deal with all types of people in both sensitive and highly dangerous situations; Knowledge of the provisions of the Privacy Act and disclosure procedures as they apply to the release of information on an investigation, witness or suspect: skill in the use of radio communications equipment, both in the patrol vehicle and as a relief receptionist: Through knowledge of breathalyzer equipment and procedures for administration to persons suspected of intoxication; and through knowledge of first aid, including C.P.R. and use of requirement supplied for each purpose. Ability to effectively communicate in Zuni and English. Ability to fill out simple forms and reports. Ability to maintain composure in dangerous situations. Good knowledge of law enforcement methods and procedures, and of techniques used in police work, such as traffic control, investigations, crowd control and armed and unarmed defense procedures. Good knowledge of principles and practices of crime prevention. Ability to plan, organize and direct subordinate’s activities. Ability to train, supervise and evaluate personnel. Ability to community effectively in writing as well as verbally. Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with employees and the general public.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Associate Degree in Criminal Justice or Police Science with six (6) years of related work experience in law enforcement with one (1) year of supervisory experience. OR High School graduate or equivalent with eight (8) years of work experience as a Police Officer or a related field with three (3) years of supervisory experience. Mid-management experience, knowledge in department administrative and operational functions

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATES: Must possess a valid New Mexico Driver's License with no DWI convictions within the past three (3) years and must be insurable for liability purposes. Driving is an essential part of the duties.

• NM Law Enforcement Academy (NMLEA) Certification, U.S. Indian Police Academy Certification, or another law enforcement certification with the ability of obtaining a New Mexico Law Enforcement Certification or U.S. Indian Police Certification by waiver within the first year of hire.
• First line Supervisor training and advanced leadership training, or equivalent

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: U.S. Citizen, 21 years of age; must not have any felony convictions or any type of conviction for moral turpitude. Must pass post-offer-of physical test, psychological evaluation, physical agility test and written exam.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Include full use of the body and extremities to bend, stretch, sit, walk, run, jump, crawl, squat, etc. good reflexes of the arms and hands in order to draw and shoot firearms quickly and accurately. Considerable physical strength and agility to pursue suspects on foot, make arrests and restrain suspects when resistance is encountered. Good mental and physical health. Good vision and hearing; deficiencies correctable by use of glasses and/or hearing aid devices are acceptable. Physical strength to make searches involving traversing difficult terrain on foot, to remove heavy objects presenting safety hazards such as fallen trees and rocks or dead animals. Ability to defend self and others from physical and armed attacks. Will be required to participate in monthly physical fitness battery.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Must submit to and successfully pass a drug test. Position is Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug screening for duration of employment, in compliance with the Pueblo of Zuni Drug Free Workplace Policy. Must pass a thorough background investigation, a conditional post-offer-of employment physical examination. Must pass a conditional post-offer-of employment psychological evaluation, physical agility test and written test. Subject to annual post-offer-of employment physical examination. Must submit to and successfully pass a thorough background check and character investigation as required by P.L. 93-638 contract stipulations. On-call 24 hours a day, work shifts, weekends, and holidays. Work will be outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.