Police Officer

South Padre Island, TX
South Padre Island Police Department

Salary: $20.86 Hourly.

Position Summary:

The Police Officer is responsible for performing a variety of duties related to the protection of life and property, enforcement of criminal and traffic law and city ordinances, prevention of crime, preservation of the public peace, apprehension of criminals and calls for service. Included in the duties above are patrolling, investigation, traffic regulation, community relations and other law enforcement activities.

Essential Functions:

  • Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation, first aid at accidents, detection, and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
  • Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
  • Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.
  • Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the relevant federal, state and local laws, statutes and ordinances in order to ensure action in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Patrols City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations and to otherwise serve and protect.
  • Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, and any other calls that require police presence. Take appropriate law enforcement action.
  • Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summons ambulances, fire department and other law enforcement vehicles as necessary. Take measurements and draw diagrams of scene.
  • Conduct follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions the victim, any witnesses and/or suspects. Develops leads and tips to assist with the investigation of the crime. Searches crime scenes for any leads or evidence. Analyze and evaluate evidence of a crime and arrest offenders if required. Prepare and review all cases for giving testimony and testifying in court proceedings.
  • Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer’s Daily Log, calls for service reports, offense reports, arrest reports, accident reports, evidence log, assault victim documentation, field interrogation report, DWI reports, intoxilyzer report, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.
  • Undertakes community oriented police work to include assisting citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, TXDPS H.E.A.T program and extra patrol requests.
  • Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits which may include obtaining and processing evidence, compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.
  • Assist in preserving the integrity of a crime scene including producing a crime scene entry log and when instructed assisting the Detectives in the recovery of evidence, handling and processing it as instructed, photographing it for reporting purposes and securing it as specified in policy and procedure.
  • Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchange information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtain advice from the City Attorney, Court Clerk, and Municipal Prosecutor’s Office regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
  • Maintain contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities.

Requirements:

  • Requires a high school diploma or equivalent with coursework in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice administration, public administration, or a closely related field.
  • Two (2) years of related work experience in full time pay service as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction or a related field preferred; or any equivalent combination of education and experience, equivalency to be determined by the City.
  • Successful completion of State Basic Training Academy.
  • Must be TCOLE Certified.
  • Must complete a Field Training Officer certification course.
  • Must possess a Class C Texas Driver’s License.
  • To participate in Motorcycle patrol the employee must possess a class MC Texas Drivers License and have satisfactory completed a motorcycle certification course.
  • Must complete a motorcycle certification course.
  • A valid state driver’s license.
  • Bilingual: Spanish and English preferred.