Police Officer – Lateral

Salary: $7,559.68 – $9,855.20 Monthly

Position Summary:

Protects life and property through the enforcement of laws and city ordinances; may be assigned to a specialized function such as patrol, crime prevention, accident prevention, or crime detection.

Essential Functions:

• Patrols assigned areas of the City in a police car or on foot to deter and discover crime.
• Performs traffic patrol; enforces ordinances; performs breathalyzer tests; assists drivers in stalled vehicles.
• Administers emergency first-aid to injured persons.
• Provides information to the public regarding crime prevention, laws, and ordinances; establishes and maintains good public relations with citizens.
• Initiates investigations of complaints, family disputes, traffic accidents, and criminal activities; gathers evidence, questions witnesses, takes statements and follows investigations through to completion; compiles related reports and appears in court to present information; contacts witnesses and arranges for court appearances.
• Establishes traffic control and police protection at fires and other incidents, checks and reports deficiencies in streetlights, signs, and road surfaces.
• Assists in training new officers in basic patrol functions and related duties.
• Issues citations and serves warrants of arrest and court orders; arrests persons on misdemeanor or felony charges; handcuffs, searches, and secures their custody; transports suspects to jail; completes related reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Investigates all hit-and-run and fatal traffic accidents in the City; determines details of accidents using techniques and practices of modern traffic accident investigation; prepares related reports; reviews accident reports written by other officers for accuracy and completeness.
• Compiles and analyzes accident statistics to identify problem traffic accident areas; coordinates selective traffic enforcement; coordinates traffic control for all large events within the City; participates in traffic enforcement and control during periods of staff shortages.
• Serves as liaison between the school district and police department; prepares and presents traffic safety programs in elementary, middle, and high schools.
• Represents the City on the State Traffic Safety Commission; works with other jurisdictions and organizations on traffic-related matters.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Conducts investigation of assigned criminal cases; questions victims, witnesses, and suspects; gathers evidence; develops and follows leads; establishes probable cause; composes reports outlining the investigation and recommending action; testifies in court.
• Assumes command of investigative activities at the scene of a crime; directs police officers to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and take statements.
• Prepares affidavits for court mandates such as search warrants, court orders, and arrest warrants.
• Develops and maintains a group of reliable informants and contacts.
• May specialize in narcotic-related cases.
• Reviews and updates files on topics such as gambling violations and inspections, mug shots, liquor violations, pawn slips, and on-going criminal activity.
• Conducts background investigations on some potential City employees and businesses.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy and not have more than a twelve (12) month gap in service from their most recent law enforcement agency.
• At least 21 years of age.
• High school graduate or GED.
• Must be a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
• Ability to read and write the English language.
• Ability to pass physical ability testing, a thorough background investigation, the LEOFF medical examination, a psychological evaluation, and a polygraph examination prior to being hired.
• Possession of or ability to obtain within six months a valid first-aid card.
• Possession of or ability to obtain within six months a valid breath test program permit card.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and if out of state, the ability to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license within Department of Licensing timeframes.
• Possession of or ability to obtain within six months a valid speed measuring device certificate.
• Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be complete as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.