Police Officer – Entry

Des Moines, WA
Des Moines Police Department

Salary: $83,735 – $130,387.

Closing Date: 12/31/2024

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, the Police Officer performs a wide variety of duties involving the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; issues citations; participates in and conducts a variety of criminal investigations; makes arrests; provides support and assistance to special crime prevention and law enforcement program.

Essential Functions:

  • Patrols designated areas of the City in car, by foot, or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; protects real and personal property by providing security checks of residential, business, and public premises; maintains awareness of and remains alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress; issues warnings and citations.
  • Responds to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints, and related incidents; investigates complaints and takes appropriate action, which may include the use of deadly or non deadly force; uses sound judgment under adverse, stressful conditions.
  • Conducts investigations at scenes of incidents to which summoned or incidents observed; determines what, if any, crime has been committed; identifies, collects, preserves, processes, and books evidence; locates and interviews victims and witnesses; identifies and interrogates suspects. Works in partnership with prosecuting attorneys to obtain and file criminal complaints on arrested subjects.
  • Prepares and serves search and arrest warrants; apprehends and arrests offenders for crimes committed under federal, state, and local laws and codes; controls and mitigates people under the influence of drugs or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations.
  • Acquires information concerning all types of law violations within the patrol area, taking action, or relaying the information to the proper authority.
  • Observes all traffic hazards in the area, eliminating them or reporting them to the proper authority.
  • Checks abandoned vehicles or vehicles parked in unusual locations for the purpose of detecting possible criminal activities.
  • Assists motorists who need help and provides them with such aid as is practical under the circumstances.
  • Serves as liaison and public relations officer to the public; establishes and preserves good relationships with the general public; answers questions from the public concerning local and state laws, procedures, and activities of the department; makes presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of police activities.
  • Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; may respond to requests for assistance from agencies outside the City for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or other related requests.
  • Participates in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including firearms proficiency, defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills.
  • Performs a variety of administrative and other types of duties in support of law enforcement services, programs, and activities; attends meetings; maintains and calibrates specialized equipment including preliminary alcohol screening devices.
  • Initiates and completes reports, legal documents, and other required paperwork; prepares a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made, and unusual incidents observed; prepares investigative reports and case information.
  • Testifies in courts and at hearings; prepares and presents case evidence; responds to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
  • Directs traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency situations; provides traffic and crowd control at events.
  • Enforces parking regulations; issues citations; tows vehicles that are in violation of codes.
  • Signs off on citations and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification.
  • Drives a City vehicle in normal and emergency response situations.
  • Makes forcible arrests of violators.
  • Attends civic club meetings, churches, schools, and other places of public gathering to explain the activities and functions of the police department and to establish favorable public relations, as directed.
  • Interacts with community in a positive manner to cooperatively reach resolution of community needs.
  • Establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with co-workers and other City employees using principles of community-oriented policing.
  • Reports for scheduled work with regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
  • Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to being assigned to work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, equalize peak work periods, or balance the workload.

Requirements:

  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Possession of valid Washington State Driver’s License by the time of appointment.
  • Must be at least 20.5 years of age at the time of application.
  • Pursuant to RCW 41.12.070, must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident who can read and write the English language.
  • Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.
  • Must successfully pass all background screening conducted by the Department, including, but not limited to, drug history, driving record, credit history, criminal record, work history, reference check, and Chief’s interview; if given a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be polygraphed and will undergo a psychological examination and a medical examination which includes drug testing.