Police Officer (Experienced)
Position Summary:
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position Summary Provides administrative and case management support to Police Detectives and assist with supporting department programs and services by performing the following duties.
Essential Functions:
- Monitors radio and other communication devices and responds to calls of distress and complaints of alleged unlawful activity, including assessing and bringing situations under control, taking statements from victims and witnesses, providing assistance, and calling social service organizations for assistance as needed.
- Stops drivers for traffic violations, verifying licenses and registration data, conducting breathalyzer and field sobriety tests as necessary, issuing warnings/citations, and/or making arrests as warranted.
- Regularly conducts proactive and reactive patrol of City streets and other designated areas, maintaining high visibility, and ensuring security of residences and businesses. Investigates and reports suspicious or unlawful activities, and takes appropriate action to enforce applicable laws.
- Responds to and investigates traffic accidents, including assessing extent of injuries, calling for emergency medical assistance, photographing/videoing and measuring accident scenes, taking statements from victims and witnesses, assisting reconstructionist, directing removal of damaged vehicles and ensuring area is clear. Periodically assists with accident victims, and lifting victims onto stretchers and into medical vehicles as needed.
- Directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic when congestion occurs or as assigned. Works with other emergency personnel during weather emergencies, notifying appropriate individuals, including City departments and utilities, regarding dangerous conditions, such as downed trees and power lines.
- Participates in formal investigation of crimes, including searching crime scenes, collecting, preserving and protecting evidence according to prescribed procedures, and interviewing victims and witnesses. Conducts legal searches of persons and property with and without a warrant.
- Pursues, apprehends, searches and arrests suspects using only necessary physical force, advising them of rights and transporting to detention area. Prevents individuals from injuring themselves or others by using physical restraint or appropriate weapons. Intervenes, mediates and assists in resolving citizen disputes.
- Transports individuals detained by the City to appropriate courts, detention and/or medical facilities.
- Serves various legal documents, including summonses, court orders, and notices of hearings; returns documents to appropriate officials and courts. Periodically testifies and gives evidence in court as required, including meeting with Prosecuting Attorney, preparing documentation, and reviewing case materials.
- Maintains appearance and serviceability of assigned vehicles, uniforms, equipment, and weapons.
- May be given special assignments, such as public speaking engagements or providing police escorts. May serve on specialized law enforcement teams, such as SWAT tactical teams, Dare Officer, and/or K-9.
- Recovers/inventories stolen property and checks status of stolen property. Types case reports.
- Performs booking procedures of detained individuals, including fingerprinting, obtaining background information, photographing, and searching individuals.
- Periodically attends prescribed in-service and/or training programs for certification in specialized law enforcement areas as assigned or required.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED and certification or ability to be certified by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy as a law enforcement officer. Ability to obtain additional certifications as required.
- Ability to meet all departmental hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.
- Ability to meet all federal and state laws regarding possession and carrying of weapons.
- Ability to qualify by obtaining a passing score in the Handgun Course of Fire and Shotgun Course of Fire, as required by the standards of the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board.
- Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of customary practices, procedures, rules and regulations of the Department and civil, criminal and juvenile justice systems.
- Working knowledge of City geography, police jurisdictions, and radio frequencies, codes, procedures and limitations.
- Working knowledge of and ability to research and enforce applicable state and local laws, perform standardized patrol operations, and take authoritative action as needed.
- Working knowledge of and ability to use and properly maintain all assigned uniforms, vehicles, equipment and weapons. Working knowledge of universal health precautions, high risk environments, and bloodborne pathogens, and ability to apply such knowledge in the field to protect oneself against infection.
- Working knowledge of photography, taking latent prints, and evidence collection/preservation techniques.
- Working knowledge of Standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to enter data on computer, and effectively prepare and complete Department reports within established deadlines. Ability to maintain confidentiality of Department information and reports as required.
- Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, sitting/driving/standing for long periods, pursuing suspects by driving a vehicle at high speed, close and far vision, running, climbing stairs, forcing entry, scaling walls, jumping fences, apprehending/subduing offenders, and assisting with evacuation and care of accident victims.
- Ability to deal swiftly, rationally and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations, de-escalate volatile situations by means of conversation/negotiation, and make arrests using appropriate physical force as situations demand.
- Ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, suspects/offenders, court personnel, other law enforcement agencies, crime/accident victims and witnesses, and the public, by radio, telephone, in person or in writing, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
- Ability to effectively operate and maintain equipment, including radio, vehicle, breathalyzer, handgun, shotgun, tear gas/mace, audio recorder, computer, typewriter, baton/nightstick, camera, and drug/narcotic identification kit.
- Ability to adapt to changing weather conditions, work environments, irregular, weekend, evening, and/or extended hours, and perform duties despite the stress of potential injury and loss of life to self and others.
- Ability to serve on 24-hour call and appropriately respond to emergencies from off-duty status as assigned or directed.
- Ability to obey all written and oral orders and directives from superior officers, and work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum direct supervision.
- Ability to occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.
- Ability to occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.