Reserve Police Officer

Position Summary:

Responsible legal and professional law enforcement position; a reserve police officer works an assigned zone to prevent crime, enforce laws, maintain peace, arrest violators and control traffic. A Reserve Police Officer performs a variety of tasks in his role as protector of the lives and property of the community. His activities require the exercises of sound judgement and decision making, under duress and in stressful situations, in accordance with accepted police practices and procedures. Duties require reserve police officers to work shift assignments. Work is performed under general supervision of the Police Reserve Officer Program Supervisor; performance is evaluated on results obtained and reviewed through oral and written reports.

A reserve police officer must react quickly and calmly in all emergency situations.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the enforcement of Federal, State, and County Laws and City ordinances.
• Patrols assigned zone, exercises responsibility for the protection of lives and property.
• Performs preliminary investigations of crimes.
• Responds to traffic situations; handles traffic control until the problem is resolved.
• Handles domestic quarrels and intra-family disturbances; may refer families for social service involvement.
• Responds to emergency calls and crises; summons aid and assistance; may give first aid.
• Observes and reports activities of suspicious persons; may keep a file on these persons, converses with other law enforcement personnel, and exchanges information.
• Conducts ongoing community relations activities, providing information and assistance to the general public.
• Responds to requests for service; assists citizens with information on law enforcement matters.
• Interviews and interrogates witnesses and suspects; writes reports and assists in further investigation if necessary.
• May be involved in surveillances.
• Checks buildings for security; handles burglar alarm calls.
• Alerts the Fire Department in case of fire and assists the Fire Department in traffic control.
• Learns to use weaponry with skill and proficiency; meets the need for periodic weaponry qualification.
• Testifies in court.
• Safely operates assigned patrol vehicle, checks daily for care and maintenance of vehicle and all department-assigned equipment.
• May provide escorts to funerals, parades, and other events.
• Learns criminal, civil and traffic statutes and ordinances.
• Conducts investigations of traffic accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements:

• Must possess a high school diploma or its equivalency.
• Must meet requirements of State Police Minimum Standards as authorized in F.S. 943.13.
• Must meet requirements of periodic in-service training and weaponry qualifications.
• Nature of the job requires occasional physical exertion under sometimes adverse conditions.
• Possess good physical conditioning as evidenced by the ability to pass a class “A” physical examination.
• Citizen of the United States.
• No felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude.
• Must pass a background investigation, which includes, but is not limited to, criminal history screening, psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, and Driver’s License review.
• To preclude a conflict of interest, persons within the following categories are ineligible to participate in PROP:
• Persons currently employed as a guard, private detective, security patrolman, or in a similar occupation.
• Members of, or applicants for, other police agencies.
• Employees of City elements which prohibit acceptance of appointment as a police reserve officer.
• Non-departmental members of the criminal justice system (i.e. correctional personnel, prosecutors, and public defenders).
• Judges, court clerks, attorneys in private practice, persons prohibited by law from being police officers, and other persons who, at the discretion of the Chief of Police, would face an immediate or potential conflict of interest due to the nature of the person’s full-time employment.