Police Officer Entrance Exam

Bi-State-Texarkana, TX
Texarkana Police Department

Salary: $58,011.20 – $68,265.60 Annually

Position Summary:

This position involves working closely with residents, businesses, schools, community groups, service clubs and other officers to improve the quality of life in Texarkana by protecting life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances, including the prevention and investigation of crimes, traffic collisions and disturbances; enforcement of traffic laws, parking regulations; and patrolling designated areas of the City.

Essential Functions:

  • Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation, and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation, and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
  • Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.
  • Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.
  • Patrols City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic; prevent, detect, and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies, and other law violations and to otherwise serve and protect.
  • Interrogates suspects, witnesses, and drivers. Preserves evidence. Arrests violators. Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summons ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles. Takes measurements and draws diagrams of scene.
  • Conducts follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victims, witnesses, and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scene of crimes for clues. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders. Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
  • Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer’s daily log, reports of investigation, field interrogation report, offense report, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.
  • Undertakes community oriented police work and assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, traffic safety, etc.
  • Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the city limits, obtaining evidences and compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.
  • Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney, Court Administrator, and Municipal Prosecutor’s Office regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
  • Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations, and provides general information about departmental activities.
  • Apprehends and/or arrests offenders; transports individuals to jail facilities; books prisoners.
  • Attends and participates in a variety of meetings and in-service training sessions.
  • Cleans and maintains assigned law enforcement vehicles and equipment.
  • May conduct a variety of law enforcement duties including patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, and/or special details.
  • May coordinate training activities for law enforcement personnel; creates and updates training lesson plans; delivers employee training on a variety of law enforcement topics.
  • Detects and deters criminal activity within the community. Conducts surveillance/undercover work as assigned.
  • May establishes and maintains Neighborhood Crime Watch programs for area of responsibility; educates the public regarding crime prevention techniques.
  • Formulates plans to resolve neighborhood issues and improve the quality of life for citizens.
  • Interacts with and provides assistance to citizens and the general public; responds to inquiries regarding a variety of law enforcement matters.
  • Investigates motor vehicle accidents and hit and run cases; files criminal charges as required.
  • May serve as Detective; investigates various types of criminal cases relative to area of assignment including general, property, persons juvenile, and/or cybercrimes.
  • May serve as Quartermaster; monitors and ensures police personnel are appropriately supplied with necessary uniforms and equipment.
  • May serve as School Resource Officer and facilitates a safe learning environment for students.
  • May serve as Traffic Officer; directs traffic; provides vehicle escorts; enforces traffic laws and promotes safe driving practices; identifies traffic violations and issues citations accordingly.
  • May serve as Training and Recruiting Specialist; attends job fairs; identifies and recruits law enforcement applicants; conducts background investigations for job applicants.
  • Mentors and counsels students/parents; provides information regarding criminal justice processes and victims’ rights; educates youth regarding alcohol awareness, drug abuse, and bullying.
  • Participates in criminal investigations; processes crime scenes; documents, collects, and preserves evidence; interviews victims and witnesses; interrogates suspects.
  • Patrols assigned areas of the City including residential, commercial, and industrial areas; conducts security checks of homes and businesses.
  • Patrols assigned beat and/or participates in responding to calls for police service as required.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned or required
  • Performs traffic enforcement duties; identifies moving violations, initiates traffic stops, and issues citations accordingly; investigates DWI’s and traffic accidents; directs traffic.
  • Prepares and maintains a variety of law enforcement records and documentation
  • Prepares and maintains various types of law enforcement documentation including but not limited to offense reports, arrest documents, and probable cause sheets.
  • Processes/views crime scenes; documents, collects, preserves, and analyzes physical evidence; obtains and examines latent fingerprints; performs forensic computer examinations.
  • Provides for the delivery of high quality law enforcement services to the local community.
  • Provides for the protection of life and property within the community and the enforcement of local, State, and Federal laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances.
  • Responds to calls for police service involving criminal activity, accidents, or other incidents; assists the Fire Department, EMS, and outside agencies in response efforts.
  • Reviews offense reports and follows up on initial complaints filed by the public; locates, contacts, and interviews crime victims and witnesses.
  • Submits criminal cases to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution; attends and participates in court proceedings; provides legal testimony; serves as Expert Witness as required.

Requirements:

  • Applicants for appointment to any entry-level police officer position must be at least twenty (20) years of age.
  • Applicants for appointment to an entry-level police officer position who have reached their twentieth (20th) birthday but have not attained their twenty-first (21st) birthday shall be considered for appointment to an entry-level police officer position only if the applicant is licensed as a peace officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education, or has received an associate’s degree or successfully completed sixty (60) semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university or has received an honorable discharge from the armed forces of the Unites States after at least two years of active service.
  • Must possess a valid State driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
  • Ability to meet the department’s physical standards.
  • Ability to pass the appropriate written Civil Service exam.