Police Officer – Lateral

Pocatello, ID
Pocatello Police Department

Salary: $28.28 – $29.71 per hour

Position Summary:

A Police Officer enforces state and local laws and ordinances, responds to calls for the protection of life and property, conducts criminal and non-criminal investigations, makes arrests and performs other assigned law enforcement and public safety duties to preserve the peace, reduce fear and provide for a safe community environment. Duties normally consist of patrol and traffic activities in the City on an assigned shift. Officers may be delegated to assignments in specialized areas such as K9, school resource, SWAT, field training, in-service training instruction, criminal investigations, hostage negotiations, traffic control or other areas.

Essential Functions:

  • Patrols assigned areas of the City; enforces federal, state and local laws and ordinances. Maintains community presence; responds to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents and other public safety emergencies. Responds to calls that may include domestic violence, burglaries, juvenile disturbances, civil disturbances, health and welfare assistance, animal problems, civil protection, medical and fire calls, bomb threats, hazardous material spills and other public and life safety incidents. Determines the existence of probable cause, identifies suspects, and takes offenders into physical custody, refers charges for review and prosecution. Issues warnings and citations; performs appropriate field tests as needed.
  • Prepares reports of arrests, activities performed and unusual incidents observed. Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations and collects evidence in disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents and deaths. Verbally interacts with witnesses and victims, suspects and offenders to obtain information. Conducts searches of persons, vehicles, premises or areas to determine the presence of individuals or illegal activities or articles. Maintains the security and safety of individuals; assumes custody of suspect or offender and transports them to appropriate detention or corrections locations. Coordinates and conducts detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming and narcotics violations.
  • Identifies and implements safety emergency plans, evacuation plans and emergency drills. Assists medical personnel and outside agencies with investigations. Interacts with citizens in the community. Interacts with persons who are mentally ill and places them into protective custody when appropriate. Participates in ongoing training to improve job skills and stays up-to-date with current case law, state law and traffic codes. Appears in court and provides testimony (often scheduled on regular days off).
  • Develops and maintains ongoing partnerships and relationships with police officers, citizens, schools and school personnel and various community organizations. May represent the City on various committees. May make presentations to governmental agencies, the media, community groups and a variety of civic organizations.
  • Performs other duties as assigned, including learning and performing duties in a specialized area of law enforcement. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

Requirements:

  • High school diploma or GED equivalency is required;
  • Idaho POST Basic certification is required;
  • Successful completion of the Field Training Program is required;
  • Valid Idaho Driver’s License is required;
  • Some experience in law enforcement or college level coursework in criminal justice or other law enforcement or military operation is preferred;
  • Additional certifications for specialized assignments may be required.