General Purpose

Performs a variety of full performance level professional and technical law enforcement duties related to enforcing laws, maintaining the peace, providing security, rendering aid and protecting the citizens of and visitors to the community. Responds to situations involving threats to public safety and makes emergency decisions affecting the lives and health of others, including in circumstances and at times when personal life or personal safety may be at risk. First-line supervisor to all patrol assets. Responsible for the day to day law enforcement operations carried out at the patrol level.

Reporting Relationships

Supervision Received: The Police Patrol Sergeant works under the general guidance and direction of the Assistant Chief and the Chief of Police.

Supervision Exercised: The Police Patrol Sergeant exercises general and close supervision over personnel in the Patrol division, and/or over employees in the Police Department, as assigned by the Chief of Police.

Essential Functions

• Performs all duties and functions of a Police Officer, including duties that put life and/or personal safety at risk.
• Performs duties that actively prevent or detect crime and enforce criminal statutes or ordinances of the state of Utah.
• Responds to situations involving threats to public safety, makes emergency decisions affecting the lives and health of others.
• Performs various duties consistent with ensuring and providing community protection.
• Supervises personnel in an assigned division and coordinates their activities.
• Recommends, through chain of command, the transfer, promotion, discipline, discharge and assignments of subordinates.
• Schedules division personnel.
• May supervise school crossing guards or other employees as assigned by the Chief of Police.
• Assists in the evaluation of employees.
• Reviews and corrects daily reports.
• Develops and enforces applicable division policies and procedures.
• Determines training needs of subordinates and plans training as resources permit.
• Administers training in accordance with established needs and approved plans.
• Directs and performs criminal investigatory work as necessary.
• Reviews daily reports and body camera footage for screening, prosecution, follow-up investigations or for disciplinary reasons.
• Secures evidence, seeks, and develops sources of information necessary for the arrest and successful prosecution of persons alleged to have committed crimes.
• Interviews suspects and witnesses; maintains surveillance of known criminal offenders.
• Conducts raids and similar special assignments.
• Operates police vehicle and other department equipment in a manner that will maximize its life span and provide the utmost safety for the officer and the public; maintains visible presence to deter and prevent crime.
• Performs ongoing public relations to enhance the image of the department within the community; as assigned, represents the department by speaking at public meetings and schools to educate and inform citizens.
• Presents a professional image in both appearance and demeanor.
• Performs all patrol duties as needed; assumes immediate supervision for all major incidents and/or emergencies involving the Patrol Division.
• Assists and advises subordinates in performance of their duties.
• May act for others of higher rank during the absence of the immediate supervisor.
• Confers with the Assistant Chief and/or the Chief of Police on unusual or difficult problems, the progress of individual cases, the performance efficiency of subordinates, or on related problems.
• Acts as a member of the Police Department management structure in other decision- making processes.
• Works with other agencies.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Police Department policies and procedures, Federal, State, County and City criminal codes and ordinances, standard law enforcement practices and procedures.
• Working knowledge of supervisory and administrative practices and procedures.
• Skill in use of computers and other technology, appropriate use of firearms and other standard law enforcement tools, problem-solving and conflict mediation; skill in supervising employees.
• Ability to establish effective and courteous working relationships with fellow officers, the public and other agencies.
• Ability to act with tact and impartiality.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing; ability to perform work requiring good physical conditioning.
• Demonstrated leadership, above average productivity, exceptional work ethic and proven ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.

Special Qualifications (Licenses, Certifications, etc.)

• Current Utah P.O.S.T. Certification, and Firearms Certification;

Education and Experience

• Associate degree and five (5) years of full-time experience as a police officer, or
• High School Diploma or GED and seven (7) years of full-time experience as a police officer, or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Moderately heavy physical activity. Required to push, pull or lift medium to heavy weights. Difficult working positions. Must stand, walk or sit uncomfortably for extended periods. Moderate exposure to elements such as heat, cold, dampness, fumes, noise, dust or grease. Exposure to hostile, life-threatening situations. May be required to use physical force, to include deadly force, in course of assigned duties.

Considerable exposure to stressful situations because of human behavior. In field operations, exposure to stress as well as occupational hazards is of considerable magnitude.

Required to work irregular hours in addition to regularly scheduled shift on an as needed basis.

Talking, hearing, and seeing are essential to performing job requirements. Common eye, hand and finger dexterity is required for most essential functions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application; review of training and experience; interview with hiring authority; physical fitness test; background investigation. Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test and psychological evaluation. Upon employment, must possess a valid Utah driver's license.

At the discretion of the Chief of Police, exceptions or additions to the selection process may be allowed for lateral or internal candidates who possess Utah P.O.S.T. Law Enforcement Officer Certification or a like certification from another state. Candidates from other states will likely need to pass the Utah P.O.S.T. physical fitness test, written test, extensive training review and background check for their certification to be recognized by Utah P.O.S.T. Lateral or internal candidates with a current, valid Utah P.O.S.T. LEO Certification will not be required to pass a physical fitness test as a normal practice.