Lateral Police Officer

Lakewood, WA
Lakewood Police Department

Salary: $7,422.00 – $9,867.00 Monthly

Position Summary:

Under the direction of a Police Sergeant, perform general duty police work involving resolution of citizen and public safety concerns; the protection of life and property; the enforcement of laws and ordinances; the prevention and investigation of crimes; and maintenance of order.

The incumbent in this position: will help create and nurture a community-oriented public safety department as envisioned by the City Council and set forth in the department vision and values statement; will respond positively to citizen concerns, encourage citizen involvement and the development of creative approaches to public safety; will participate in the coordination of Police Department efforts to impact perceived and actual crime problems; and will provide feedback to the department on community concerns and initiatives.

Essential Functions:

  • Patrol designated area of city in police vehicle, on foot patrol, bicycle patrol and/or other conveyances on an assigned shift; patrol business and residential districts to provide an element of safety by obvious visibility; look for crimes or potential crimes or hazardous situations in progress.
  • Respond to emergency and routine calls for service.
  • Perform computer inquiries from the patrol vehicle and stationary terminals.
  • Serve and enforce civil process issued by the courts to include restraining orders, orders for protection, no contact orders, anti-harassment orders and subpoenas; serve arrest and search warrants.
  • Pursue fleeing suspects on foot and in vehicles; perform rescue and pursuit operations.
  • Provide first aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
  • Take immediate action to remedy hazards and protect life and property.
  • Stop traffic violators and take appropriate remedial action; identify suspicious individuals and question their activities.
  • Apprehend violators or offenders of the law; in situations where lawful arrests are resisted, the officer must be prepared and able at times through training, judgment and high levels of physical exertion to use justifiable levels of force to overcome the resistance and protect citizens, themselves, and fellow officers.
  • Tactfully diffuse any verbal abuse which may occur in the course of performing work assignments. Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with hostile views and opinions of suspects and others encountered in an antagonistic environment.
  • Testify in court hearings.
  • Search for lost or wanted persons over varying terrain and conditions for extended periods of time.
  • Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
  • Determine when a lawful search or arrest can or should be attempted; determine when and to what extent physical forces should be used, as governed by law and department regulations.
  • Read, review, interpret, serve and enforce various court orders.
  • Develop knowledge about known offenders and businesses possibly involved in or promoting criminal activity; correlate records of such criminal activity.
  • Recover lost or stolen property; lift and move commonly recovered items such as bicycles, televisions, stereo components, tools, automotive wheels and parts, and small safes without destroying or damaging items.
  • Assist in administrative duties such as coordinating multi-department response to persistent criminal activity, planning police/community relations events, and training, leading or coordinating non-sworn work units such as Parking Enforcement.
  • Prepare affidavits for search warrants; interview witnesses and suspects. Develop and use informants and other investigative aids; appear in court to present evidence and to testify against persons accused of crimes.
  • Provide assistance and referrals for domestic violence cases, indigent persons and stranded individuals.
  • Prepare material to present at training sessions for police officers or others, including schools, businesses, private citizen groups, etc.

Requirements:

  • High school graduation or equivalent is required. College level coursework in law enforcement or a related field, bilingual capability and specialized law enforcement training are highly desirable.
  • Graduation from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy or state approved equivalent AND work experience as a police officer within the last five years is required.
  • If out-of-state police officer experience OR it has been a break in Washingron service for more than two years but less than five years, completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Equivalency Academy within 90 days of employment is required.
  • If it has been more than five years since your employment as a police officer, you are ineligible to apply as a Lateral Police Officer (see Entry Police Officer).
  • A valid Washington driver’s license by hire date, and satisfactory results of a stringent personal background investigation are required.