Police Officer

Salary: $50,392.75

Position Summary:

This is responsible work involving the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work involves responsibility for serving the citizens of Martinsville by protecting life and property, preventing crime, apprehending criminals and enforcing laws and ordinances in a designated area or an assigned shift. More experienced employees in this class may provide technical guidance to newly-hired employees. Work involves an element of personal danger and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergency situations involving a wide range of social, psychological and legal situations including motor vehicle crashes, misdemeanors, felonies and family crisis situations. Assignments, general and special instructions are received from a superior officer who reviews work methods and results through reports, observations and discussions.

Essential Functions:

• Patrols an area of the City in a patrol car, or on foot to preserve law and order, prevent and discover commission of crime, apprehend criminals and offenders, and to enforce all federal and state laws and City ordinances.
• Directs traffic, answers calls, radio complaints, and in-person requests, involving motor vehicle crashes, robberies and other misdemeanors and felonies; prepares varied related case, offense and shift reports.
• Conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, makes arrests, books and releases prisoners, takes fingerprints, testifies as a witness in court. Issues warnings, summonses and parking tickets.
• Administers breathalyzer tests to persons arrested while driving under the influence of alcohol after certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Conducts motor vehicle crash investigations, taking safeguards to prevent further crashes; interviews principals and witnesses and takes statements; examines vehicles, roadways, traffic controls; clears obstructions and records data; prepares motor vehicle crash reports.
• Establishes traffic control and police protection at fires and other incidents; performs police duties at parades, processions, sporting and related events. Checks and reports on deficient street lights, signs and road surfaces; operates radar equipment after certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia; provides information, advice and assistance to citizens; serves as public relations officer for the Police Department. Operates VCIN terminal (Mobile Data Systems) after appropriate certification.
• Prepares a variety of forms including arrest reports, warrants, offense reports, witness statements and other forms as required; posts data to work sheet.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements:

• Certification in the Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN)
• Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Virginia Dept. of Criminal Justice Services.
• If assigned to the Criminal Justice Training Academy, certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Law Enforcement instructor, in addition to various other certifications such as Firearms or Driver Training instruction.
• Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.