Police Officer (Certified Lateral)

Suffolk, VA
Suffolk Police Department

Salary: $56,790.00 – $87,151.00 Annually

Closing Date: 7/24/2025

Position Summary:

Under general supervision performs general and specialized law enforcement work for the City Police Department. Work involves protecting lives, property, and rights of the public; investigating criminal activity; serving criminal process papers; and assisting in community functions. Employee is also responsible for preparing files, reports and records and testifying in court. Employee must exercise tact and firmness in frequent public contact. Employee is expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative in performing assigned tasks. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work. Job functions may vary based on area of assignment within the Police Department.

Essential Functions:

  • Patrols an assigned area of the City using a police vehicle to detect and deter criminal activities; monitors radio calls; inspects troublesome areas and checks security of business establishments; answers complaint calls and investigates crimes and disturbances; interviews witnesses; gathers evidence and transports to the lab; interrogates suspects and makes arrests; prepares investigation reports.
  • Serves legal papers such as summons and warrants and civil process papers; explains briefly the meaning of the papers served and makes arrests when necessary.
  • Prepares various reports and forms such as case files, offense reports, accident reports, tow sheets and cards, property vouchers, lab requests, etc.
  • Receives and handles citizen complaints and inquiries.
  • Transports prisoners and mental patients as required; serves mental papers.
  • Investigates accidents; performs first aid; secures and clears accident scenes; directs traffic; investigates fatalities of accidents.
  • Investigates misdemeanor and felony crimes; conducts building checks; reports traffic hazards.
  • Processes minor crime scenes including collecting, packaging, and vouchering evidence, photographing, and sketching; prepares felony case reports.
  • Monitors vehicle speeds with radar; conducts criminal and driving checks; issues summons for violations; operates breathalyzer machine.
  • Conducts surveillance using relevant techniques.
  • Assists State and Federal agencies in conducting various investigations; prepares affidavits and search warrants; testifies in court.
  • Teaches programs based on topic areas of assigned units; prepares visual aids, lesson plans, handouts, etc.; participates in extracurricular activities; builds a rapport with program participants to accomplish program intent.
  • Performs duties relating to the recruitment of new officers; coordinates and participates in training sessions; administers physical agility tests; coordinates appointments for oral review board, polygraph and employment physicals; conducts background checks.
  • Answers confidential “crime line” public access phone for reporting crime and other information; provides reports to crime stoppers international; maintains records of calls received and numbers calls; meets with Board on approval of the “crime line”.
  • Acts as media contact; provides interviews and materials to the media; attends major media functions.
  • Orders and issues uniforms and equipment for departmental personnel.
  • Processing arrest information; notes warrant has been executed; updates communications division files.
  • Retrieves warrants from magistrate’s office and the courts; assigns warrant number; logs warrants in warrant book; prepares card for communications division files; files warrants; purges felony and misdemeanor warrants as required by law; executes state and local criminal warrants.
  • Coordinates policing efforts with civic leagues and community groups; attends civic league and PTA meetings; participates in community functions; acts as liaison between schools and Police Department.
  • Monitors interior and exterior of school buildings; develops a rapport between police and students to deter crime in schools.
  • Prepares brochures and other documents to promote the Police Department.
  • Counsels teachers, students, parents, etc.; maintains security during school events.
  • Teaches boating safety and conducts marine patrol.
  • May provide security services for all city owned facilities; council meetings/work sessions; city functions; and escort services for city personnel.
  • May organize and conducts security assessment drills.
  • May develop, implement and maintain physical security systems for city owned facilities as directed.
  • May maintain security access database and assists with issuance of new security cards.
  • May provide miscellaneous administrative and support assistance to the Police Department as directed.
  • May develop and update emergency plans as directed.
  • May conduct CEPTED analysis of facilities and office spaces.
  • May conduct security awareness programs for employees.
  • May works in conjunction with Risk Management on items of shared interest.
  • Escorts funeral processions, parade, public figures and other special assignments; coordinates traffic patterns.
  • May investigate communicable diseases and exposure; coordinates initial and follow up medical care for exposed employees; maintains medical records, testing, and training.
  • May assist disabled motorists with simple repair work such as changing flat tires, unlocking doors, or by contacting others for assistance; may provide directions, answer simple inquiries, etc.
  • Reports unsafe conditions in city streets, sidewalks, public facilities, etc.
  • May participate in special public information programs such as seat belt safety campaigns, child fingerprinting projects, etc.; speaks at public and community functions; prepares classes for community participation.
  • Notifies next of kin of deaths and accidents.
  • Trains and supervises new officers in the field; may act as general instructor for the Police Academy.
  • Maintains police vehicle and issued equipment; maintains proficiency in skilled use of firearms.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from high school and one to two years of experience in law enforcement work, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
  • Must be a Certified Virginia police officer or able to gain reciprocity.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license with negative 3 or higher point value (or equivalent).
  • Must complete 40 hours of in-service training every two years.