Police Officer (Certified)

Columbia, SC
Columbia Police Department

Salary: $48,825.00 Annually

Position Summary:

This position performs general police duties to ensure the strict enforcement of state and local laws relating to public safety and welfare; and performs related law enforcement work as required. This class works according to some procedures but decides how or when to do things; work is reviewed regularly by supervisor.

Essential Functions:

  • Enforces all federal and state laws and City ordinances relating to public safety and welfare; performs all duties in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations and standards of safety;
  • Performs general patrol duties, including but not limited to patrolling assigned areas of the City, monitoring property security, responding to emergency calls and/or public calls for assistance, apprehending and arresting suspects and violent persons, securing crime scenes, seizing property and/or criminal evidence, maintaining public order, investigates narcotics cases; performs undercover work; transporting prisoners and mental patients, etc.;
  • Performs traffic enforcement duties, including issuing traffic tickets and warnings, detecting DUI suspects, and assisting with accident reconstruction and investigations;
  • Serves warrants, summonses, subpoenas, civil and other official papers;
  • Assists with criminal investigations. Interviews witnesses, complainants and victims; interrogates suspects; gathers physical evidence and preserves it for court; provides case follow-up as needed;
  • Provides testimony and presents evidence in court as necessary;
  • Administers first aid and assists EMTs at emergency scenes as necessary;
  • Participates in special operations as assigned;
  • Performs routine service duties, including but not limited to providing escort service for the protection of persons and/or property, assisting stranded motorists, providing funeral escort, directing traffic, providing security and crowd control at special events, etc.;
  • Provides leadership of assigned subordinate officers; offers advice and assistance as needed;
  • Participates in officer training;
  • Prepares and submits detailed work records and reports;
  • Remains abreast of all federal and state laws, and ordinances of the City of Columbia;
  • Maintains assigned equipment and vehicle;
  • Assists other law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions as required;
  • Receives and responds to citizen inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance;
  • Participates in neighborhood and community relations programs; attends neighborhood meetings to enhance police/community relationships and to address safety and quality of life issues;
  • Attends periodic training sessions and attends seminars and meetings to keep abreast of current law enforcement trends; maintains required physical fitness and required level of proficiency in the use of firearms;
  • Works under stressful, high-risk conditions;
  • Remains on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for emergency response;
  • Performs general clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone, etc.; and
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • High school diploma or GED;
  • Some relevant prior experience;
  • Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
  • Firearms certifications;
  • Class I certification or successfully complete Class I Certification through the Criminal Justice Academy in accordance with §23-23-40 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976.