Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate)
Position Summary:
Under general supervision of a Police Corporal, Sergeant, or Watch Commander, performs in an assigned area of responsibility, responds to calls, observes violations, and enforces public safety and traffic laws, regulations and ordinances; performs crime prevention and investigation work to protect life and property; discusses problems, complaints and violations with citizens, residents and visitors; testifies in court hearings; assists other officers and performs special detail work as needed; and does other work as assigned. Solves community related problems and prepares comprehensive written and dictated reports.
Essential Functions:
- Responds quickly and correctly in emergency situations and makes field decisions in accordance with departmental policies and procedures in any given law enforcement assignment.
- Patrols assigned district by automobile, motorcycle/bicycle, ATV, or on foot in order to prevent and detect crime activity and enforce laws, regulations and ordinances.
- Responds to radio communications, computer prompts or citizen requests and investigates reported disorders, observed violations, and related incidents.
- Notes and reports traffic problems, abandoned or damaged vehicles, and other safety hazards.
- Issues verbal warnings or written citations for parking, moving, and municipal violations.
- Investigates traffic accidents and directs and controls the flow of traffic at the scene of accidents, signal failures, special events, natural and unnatural catastrophes in adverse weather conditions.
- Investigates and prepares reports on complaints, accidents, offenses and damages to property; interviews witnesses and suspects.
- Restores order and maintains peace at public gatherings or in conflict situations.
- Collects and preserves physical evidence in accordance with department policy and laws.
- Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime activity.
- Provides information and assistance to the public in a respectful manner.
- Pursues and apprehends suspects.
- Makes arrests and advises suspects of rights.
- Prepares crime and arrest reports and documents other situations such as traffic accidents and civil disputes.
- Appears in Court to testify regarding arrests or other law enforcement activity and case evidence and civil cases.
- Searches and transports prisoners.
- Completes booking (e.g., digital camera, fingerprinting).
- Administers emergency first aid to injured or incapacitated persons until medical personnel are present.
- Participates in classroom and field training exercises.
- Treats Citizens, suspects and fellow employees with respect.
- May be recalled to duty to respond to emergency situations.
- May perform the duties of Acting Police Sergeant or Field Training Officer as directed.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by completion of a police academy and training program is required.
- Lateral: Successful completion of a probationary period with another law enforcement agency and possession of a current California P.O.S.T. Basic certificate is required. Out of state applicants must possess a California Basic P.O.S.T. waiver.
- Academy Graduate: Some experience or on-the-job training involving public contact work or the enforcement of public safety rules and policies is desired.
- Must obtain a valid Class C California driver’s license and provide evidence of an acceptable driving record. May be required to obtain a M1 license following hire, if assigned as a Motor Officer.
- Ability to successfully pass a background security investigation, polygraph examination, and successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination and psychological screening as a condition of employment. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Any candidates selected for hire must be at least 21 years of age or older at the time of hire.