Police Officer

Salary: $52,267.00 – $75,134.00 Annually

Closing Date: 7/3/2026

Position Summary:

The Police Officer is responsible for the protection of life and property, prevention of crimes, apprehension of criminals, and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances. Duties normally consist of routine patrol, preliminary investigations, and traffic regulation in order to provide a safe environment for citizens and visitors. Must respond and engage in calls for service, ranging from friendly assists to highly stressful and dangerous situations. In certain cases as assigned, the incumbent is responsible for training probationary officers.

Essential Functions:

• Provide good customer service to both internal and external customers; maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees (especially members of their own team), and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Perform preventive patrol in assigned areas, both in vehicle and on foot. Enforce state and federal laws and City ordinances. Operate motor vehicle while on patrol in a safe manner for extended periods of time, in all environmental conditions and on occasion, operate the vehicle at high speeds and in congested traffic situations.
• Continually observe for and respond to criminal activity, safety hazards, traffic violations, persons needing assistance, etc. Conduct interviews and interrogate potential victims, witnesses, suspects, and offenders. Identify, collect, process, package, and log physical evidence.
• Make arrests on criminal and traffic related offenses, including DWI detection and apprehension by use of radar equipment and proper operation. Defend self and others by engaging in actual physical combat if necessary, and to subdue resistive arrestees. Conduct searches of persons, places, vehicles and things.
• Become familiar with patrol districts, geographical locations, known offenders, neighborhood routines, potential problem areas, etc. Conduct security inspections and survey buildings and businesses; handle complaints made by the public; conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls initiated in assigned area(s), neighboring areas inside jurisdiction, and requests by other agencies outside of jurisdiction.
• Seek and serve arrest warrants, search warrants, and other court documents. Assist various prosecutors and attorneys in preparation of cases for trial; assist judges during court sessions; testify clearly and truthfully in front of a judge and jury in court.
• Direct and control vehicular and pedestrian traffic by use of hand signals and/or a flashlight. Conduct traffic control for blocked traffic, parades, accidents, special events, etc. and provide crowd control, security, and information during special events.
• Clean and fire a variety of police weapons, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns both in the field and to meet department standards of proficiency.
• Utilize a mobile computer terminal in assigned police vehicle as a means of gathering and exchanging information. Complete traffic/criminal citations issued to violators of city and state laws. Investigate traffic accidents and report on the electronic system.
• View heinous crime scenes and identify/preserve physical evidence of a crime.
• Prepare detailed narrative reports either by composing them in long-hand or dictating for transcription, as necessary, in accordance with duty requirements.
• Respond and engage with domestic disputes and resolve issues in a way that minimizes harm to the disputing parties.
• Interact with children of all ages and in various situations, including delinquents, minors requiring authoritative intervention, neglected or abused children, runaways, lost or found children, crime victims, as well as in public relations, educational roles, and as informants.
• Provide interpersonal support, business connections, and standby assistance during civil disputes.
• Direct civilian employees and the public at crime scenes, accidents, disasters, assemblies, etc.
• Determine “probable cause” in making arrest of individuals; complete paperwork for those arrests, felony and misdemeanor cases including felony jackets.
• Determine when and under what circumstances to use less-lethal or deadly force.
• Search, guard, transport, and assist in the booking and custodial care of prisoners.
• Administer first aid when needed and coordinate emergency personnel and resources in crisis situations.
• Act as public relations officer for the city and foster good relationships with businesses, schools, etc.
• Perform desk duties, including telecommunications (telephone, computer terminal, radio), assisting persons at the station, processing reports, etc.
• Develop and maintain required skills and licenses/permits/certifications associated with the area of special investigation, expertise, etc.
• Collaborate closely with other agencies by exchanging information and attending meetings and training sessions. Attend seminars, training, special conferences and meetings to maintain a thorough and working knowledge of state and federal laws and statutes, and search and seizure laws.
• Responsible for maintaining issued/assigned equipment, to include: patrol unit, uniforms, firearm(s), protective devices, etc.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED plus specialized training and/or additional college courses and 19-23 months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For Field Training Officer: 3 years of related experience and/or training and a minimum of 2-6 months of management experience.
• Must possess a valid Arkansas Driver’s License.
• Must be able to obtain a Basic State Law Enforcement Training Certification, BAC Datamaster-Operator, Radar, SFST, Driving Course, Defensive Tactics, Firearms course.
• ACIC Level I or CJIS Certification.
• For Field Training Officer: Instructor Development and Field Training Certification.
• Must be proficient in the use of a personal computer, standard office equipment, firearms, basic and specialized law enforcement equipment.
• Ability to utilize both internal and external resources to obtain information and data necessary to carry out routine assignments and special projects.
• Must have ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management and staff.
• Must maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively both orally and written, often under adverse conditions.
• Possess good judgment, good powers of observation and memory.
• Ability to learn and perform technical processes to ensure workflow within the department.
• Ability to learn and interpret a variety of city, county, state, and federal laws.
• Must not have a criminal record of any kind. Before selection into this position, must be able to withstand a complete background investigation, polygraph examination and credit history report and in addition, must complete a physical and mental evaluation as part of the employment requirements within the first thirty days after the hiring date.