Police Officer – LATERAL

Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga Police Department

Position Summary:

Incumbents in this classification are responsible for enforcing city codes, ordinances and local, state and federal laws and regulations by patrolling, performing surveillance, investigating crimes, responding to emergency calls and performing other public safety activities.

Essential Functions:

  • Enforces all city and state codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations in order to protect life and property and to prevent crime and promote security.
  • Maintains visibility by patrolling assigned area, city streets, parks, neighborhoods, and businesses to ensure security; makes observations for prowlers, vagrants, suspicious persons, and other violators.
  • Performs surveillance of various locations and of criminal suspects; collects and reviews data; develops trends and/or patterns pertaining to locations/suspects; files intelligence reports.
  • Responds to calls for service; investigates reported crimes; interviews and obtains statements from victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informants; processes crime scenes; gathers, prepares, and submits evidence to crime lab.
  • Obtains warrants; performs various search operations; locates missing persons.
  • Determines probable cause to search and/or reasonable suspicion to detain suspects; pursues fleeing and subdues resisting suspects; effects arrests; processes and transports prisoners.
  • Responds to emergency calls and calls for assistance; mediates disputes and advises suspects of rights.
  • Assists fellow officers as requested/necessary on domestic and theft calls, executing warrants, serving subpoenas, and making traffic stops.
  • Responds to accident calls; gathers information at the accident scene; investigates and reconstructs serious injury or fatal accidents; interviews victims and witnesses; investigates hit and run accidents; notifies relatives of victims as necessary.
  • Performs functions at accidents, emergencies, fires, and disasters to include directing traffic, administering emergency medical aid, and managing dangerous situations; interacts with EMS teams.
  • Establishes road blocks; administers field sobriety tests; identifies wanted persons/vehicles; impounds vehicles; assists stranded motorists; ensures roadways are clear of obstacles and hazards.
  • Stops vehicles for traffic violations; issues traffic citations and warnings.
  • Contacts command/supervisory personnel for emergency response and critical incident communications. Identifies illegal drugs and hazardous materials; maintains knowledge of the most commonly abused prescription drugs.
  • Enters/retrieves data to/from computer system including stolen property, arrest and wanted persons information, investigation data, and criminal/driving records checks; reviews crime statistics. Identifies, documents, and processes various components of crime scene; collects evidence; photographs/videotapes crime scene; processes scene for fingerprints; inspects records and documents to confirm identity of individual.
  • Documents case information; assists in the prosecution of offenders; appears in court to present evidence and testimony.
  • Responds to questions, complaints, and requests for information by telephone or in person from merchants, community/civic organizations, the general public, employees, superiors, and other individuals.
  • Exchanges information with dispatchers, attorneys, court personnel, medical examiner, fire and EMS personnel, medical professionals, and other departments and agencies; communicates effectively on law enforcement radio.
  • Maintains current field and code manuals, policies and procedures, employee handbooks, various maps, and related material for reference and/or review.
  • Attends shift meetings, seminars, and specialized/update training sessions as required to maintain knowledge of departmental and city operations, to promote improved job performance, and to maintain knowledge of changing policies, procedures, codes, and laws.
  • Completes and prepares a variety of forms, logs, requests, records, reports, correspondence, and various other documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; maintains administrative records and files.
  • Cooperates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and their officers or representatives when activities are related to investigations within city jurisdiction.
  • Maintains cleanliness of vehicle; refuels, checks fluids and tires, and requests service and/or repairs as needed; maintains weapons and equipment in functional and presentable condition.
  • May perform special operations, investigations, and/or team activities such as media and/or public information, special response team (SRT/SWAT), bike, traffic, DUI task force, negotiations, juvenile, vice, homicide, burglary and robbery, various type thefts and abuse, arson, bomb technician, warrants, gang unit, narcotics, evidence/property control, identification, communications, field training, canine handler/trainer, training, teaching, fleet services, and/or other duties as assigned.
  • Assists with interdepartmental duties and city activities, which may include working within school zones, directing traffic, assisting in animal control, providing security at city social events and athletic activities, special escorts, crowd/riot control, or other special assignments.
  • Performs special tasks which may include taking photographs and fingerprints, receiving, issuing, and/or inventory control of supplies and/or equipment, verifying and processing warrants, summons, and related paperwork, assigning vehicles, and preparing lesson plans.
  • Answers the telephone; provides information, advice and guidance; takes and relays messages and/or direct calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.
  • Attends community meetings and assists with community activities, programs, and crime prevention; may promote, coordinate, teach, and/or participate in outreach programs.
  • Substitutes for co-workers in temporary absence of same; may assist with overseeing activities of other police officers as assigned.
  • Uses, carries, and answers their cell phone for business purposes as determined by the assigned job duties and the department head. Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements:

  • High School Diploma or GED, graduation from the Police Training Academy, four months of working with a Field Training Officer.
  • Police Officer Valid Driver’s License; CPR Certification; P.O.S.T. Certification.
  • A member of the department who has been suspended without pay shall not be eligible for promotion for the number of months which is equal to the number of days the member has been suspended for such offense, up to a maximum of 24 months.