Deputy Sheriff (Patrol), Sheriff's Department

Job Summary

Patrols public streets and highways in a radio-equipped vehicle performing advanced enforcement, regulatory, licensing, and inspection duties. Detects violations, makes violator contacts, places violators in custody, or issues citations or warning. Engages in criminal work, participates in safety programs, serves warrants and performs special assignments such as escort duty. May supervise and administer on-the-job training to deputies during their probationary period. Work is performed under general supervision of a Corporal Sergeant or Lieutenant.

NOTE: A Probationary Deputy does not work independently. This category of Deputies work under the close supervision of a field training officer.

Major Duties

• Removes debris from the roadway; assists stranded motorists; arranges for transportation, repair, towing services, etc.; administers first aid in emergencies; contacts friends or relatives of deceased or injured.
• Serves traffic and criminal warrants; arrests, processes, and transports prisoners.
• Serves police demand orders, performs traffic and criminal investigations, and prepares complaints and cases for presentation in court; preserves and presents physical evidence; testifies in court and reports the disposition of the case.
• Escorts valuable shipments, caravans, funerals, and VIPs; performs disaster rescue operations, cares for the injured, controls crowds, and directs traffic.
• Provides information, checks qualifications, and tests applicants; conducts a background investigation of applicants; supervises, instructs, and administers on-the-job training to Probationary Deputies; provides information and advice to supervisors on the capabilities of Probationary Deputies.
• May issue calls for ambulances and wreckers; care for the injured; direct traffic; remove vehicles and clear the roadway; record facts and take statements; file charges.
• Plans courses and serves as instructor at law enforcement training schools and academies; attends various schools and instructional courses.
• Prepares periodic activity reports; prepares auto mileage, repair, and gasoline consumption reports.
• Performs office and administrative tasks in support of normal job functions as assigned during absences of supervisor; meets and greets the general public and answers inquiries pertaining to policy or procedural information; may inspect vehicle identification numbers.
• Performs routine law enforcement patrols; enforces traffic laws; detects, investigates, and apprehends criminals; issues citations or warnings to traffic law violators; conducts driver's license and motor vehicle inspection checks; files complaints.
• Investigates and verifies or disapproves theft or vehicles suspected as stolen; operates special purpose equipment such as Intoxilizers, and radar equipment.
• Investigates circumstances and causes of accidents; issues calls for ambulances and wreckers; cares for the injured; directs traffic; removes vehicles and clears the roadway; makes measurements, photographs, diagrams, and records facts; locates absent witnesses and occupants and takes statements; notifies relative; files charges.
• Investigates and verifies reports of crimes, accidents, disasters, violent weather, disturbances, etc.; performs routine investigation of suspicious persons; assists in the suppression of riots, civil disorder, etc.; directs activities relating to the protection of lives and property at natural or man-made disasters.
• Participates in criminal work; investigates criminal offenses; operates roadblocks and engages in manhunts; searches and interrogates prisoners and suspects; questions and takes statements from witnesses; assists and supports federal, state, and local agencies as requested.
• Prepares court cases and testifies at grand juries in both criminal and civil cases.
• Performs the duties of jail guards when required.
• Prepares traffic and criminal case summaries and reports; prepares jail receipts; prepares criminal and accident reports.
• Performs as Staff Duty Deputy when assigned; may process general correspondence and requisitions, maintains and controls office supplies at substations, maintains motor vehicle traffic accident reports, compiles and processes monthly summaries of enforcement activities, traffic accidents, expenses, etc.; evaluates traffic patterns and problems in assigned area.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Deputy-Trainees must demonstrate working knowledge of police methods, traffic and criminal laws, and regulations, departmental policies, and procedures, safety rules and regulations, and court systems after training.
• Ability to acquire skills in the use of firearms, radar and radio equipment, physical defensive tactics, and first aid.
• Ability to acquire skills in the operation of the patrol vehicle and breath test instrument.
• Possess the personal, psychological, and behavioral characteristics required to satisfactorily perform all law enforcement activities assigned. These characteristics include:
• Ability to maintain good moral character in one's actions.
• Ability to maintain a high level of responsibility in one's personal life.
• Ability to take service, regulatory, and enforcement responsibilities seriously.
• Ability to avoid temptations to overuse authority.
• Ability to use caution and judgment when approaching or handling disturbed, hostile, intoxicated, or criminal persons.
• Ability to expedite job functions without display of prejudice towards persons of different ethnic backgrounds, beliefs, or personal lifestyles.
• Ability to use sound intelligence in appropriate situations.
• Ability to notice, observe, and be curious about clues, and objects of facts.
• Ability to maintain self-control and restraint when subjected to verbal abuse.
• Ability to use appropriate force to control the behavior of dangerous or potentially dangerous persons.
• Ability to choose and present verbal statements to obtain the cooperation of the people.
• Ability to make short-term, important decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
• Ability to resist unethical or illegal attempts to influence one's judgment.
• Ability to be thorough in gathering and organizing facts and information.
• Ability to arrange records and facts and to write reports which are logical and readable.
• Ability to display courtesy and put people at ease.
• Ability to go beyond regulatory or enforcement responsibilities into humanitarian responsibilities.
• Ability to speak in public.
• Ability to obtain information from interviews in which good rapport is important.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must meet the minimum age requirement of twenty (20) years of age on the date of probationary appointment to the position of Deputy and have attained the age of twenty-one (21) upon commissioning. There is no maximum age limit.
• Requires graduation from a standard senior high school, vocational school, or the equivalent.
• Applicants must qualify on written/physical demands tests and are required to complete psychological testing, physical/vision examinations, drug screening, and additional physical demands.
• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and a good driving record.
• Any conviction or probation for a felony at any time or for a misdemeanor within the past 10 years will disqualify. Criminal history records will be examined and may disqualify.
• All Deputy-Trainees completing the Law Enforcement Academy will be required to submit to and pass a drug screening test Deputy -Trainees will also be required to pass a written licensing exam administered by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.
• Exception to the educational requirement may be made for applicants possessing exceptional skills desired by the department. These exceptions will be very limited and are approved only by the Sheriff.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands/Work Environment
Occasionally

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Operating machinery and/or power tools.
• Working in low temperatures.
• Working in high temperatures.
• Working in outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
• Working in noisy environments.
• Working in poor ventilation.
• Working small and/or enclosed spaces.
• Working in adverse environmental conditions is expected.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

• Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles.
• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Moving to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Adjusting or moving objects up to 50 pounds in all directions.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions that may include the use of wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Driving a County vehicle or a personal vehicle for County business.
• Working in hazardous conditions.
• Light work that includes carrying objects up to 20 pounds.
• Medium work that includes carrying objects up to 50 pounds.

• Must possess a valid and current Texas driver's license.
• Drug and Alcohol Policy applies to this job. Pre-employment drug/alcohol testing, Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and criminal background checks are required.
• This position is covered by Civil Service; therefore, is subject to the Civil Service Rules and Regulations in addition to all other Webb County policies.

• If the applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver’s License must be obtained priorto employment.

Webb County provides a variety of benefits available to employees.
Please visit the Risk Management website for more details.
https://www.webbcountytx.gov/RiskManagement/EmployeeBenefits/

The following list of benefits is offered only to benefits-eligible employees in Full-Time positions:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Life Insurance
• Ancillary products
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Employee Clinic*
• Vacation and sick leave
  • Accrual rates increase based on years of service
• Sixteen (16) County-observed holidays and four (4) personal holidays
• Retirement benefits (TCDRS)**

• Available to ALL employees