Lateral Police Officer

Port Orchard, WA
Port Orchard Police Department

Salary: $41.54 – $49.48 Hourly

Position Summary:

Under general supervision from the Sergeant, the Patrol Officer will help to create, nurture, and maintain a community-oriented public safety department in alignment with the department’s mission, vision, and values.

Essential Functions:

  • Respond to emergency and routine calls for service
  • 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 the suspect, community members, themselves, and fellow officers
  • Tactically de-escalate any verbal attacks that may occur while performing work assignments; endure verbal and mental assault when confronted with hostile views and opinions of suspects and others encountered in an antagonistic environment
  • Operate a motor vehicle for extended periods of time in all environmental conditions, occasionally at high speeds and in congested traffic situations
  • Conduct patrols in a City vehicle, on foot, bicycle, marine vessel, and/or other conveyance on an assigned shift; patrol business and residential areas to provide a visible element of safety
  • Monitor and enforce traffic laws and safety ordinances; issue infractions as appropriate
  • Look for criminal or potential criminal behavior; identify risks to public safety and order
  • Investigate traffic collisions in various weather and traffic conditions; physically direct traffic, place temporary control devices such as portable stop signs, barricades, and other forms of directional signing as needed
  • Appropriately provide first aid, CPR, or naloxone as needed
  • Read, review, interpret, and serve court orders; serve search and arrest warrants
  • Conduct detailed investigations and gather information that pertains to suspected criminal activities; prepare detailed investigative reports
  • Prepare affidavits for search warrants, interview witnesses and suspects; develop and use informants and other investigative acts
  • Appear in court to present evidence and testify
  • Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, working for long periods of time, detaining individuals, and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons
  • Record information related to daily patrol activities and preparation of reports based on this information to aid in the prosecution of offenders
  • Maintain positive relationships and perform as a liaison with other departments and agencies
  • Attend and actively participate in meetings, training courses, and seminars to maintain current knowledge of criminal and civil laws; develop and maintain technical skills to demonstrate proficiency in the performance of duty
  • Prep material to present at training sessions for officers or others including schools, businesses, community groups, etc.
  • Obtain and maintain current certifications as required by policy and local, state, or federal law.
  • Assist in the coordination of multi-agency responses to criminal activity, community outreach events, and the training, leading, or coordination with other City departments
  • Conduct light preventative maintenance on departmental equipment
  • Reliable and regular attendance is required
  • Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
  • Must be 21 years of age or older; a citizen of the United States of America, a lawful permanent resident, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient; and be legally permitted to possess a firearm in the State of Washington. Valid driver’s license required upon hire.
  • Out of state candidates are required to obtain a WA state driver’s license in accordance with state law.
  • Must be able to speak, read and write the English language and have the ability to read, understand and interpret ordinances, laws, and other operating procedures and to communicate orally and in writing.
  • Must have the ability and willingness to maintain strict confidentiality.
  • Must be capable of passing applicable civil service or City required employment testing, including, but not limited to: medical examination, which includes a drug screening; psychological examination; and polygraph or voice stress analyzer (VSA) examination (when legally permissible).
  • Must be capable of satisfactorily completing prescribed courses of training at the academy and during in-service training progress, as required.