2026 Experienced Patrol Officer

About the role

The job of Patrol Officer involves general duty police work in the protection of life and property and the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Responsibilities include preventive patrol, preliminary investigation, traffic enforcement and regulation, and preservation of social order and public peace. Patrol Officers exercise discretion in interpreting and enforcing laws while maintaining a balance between individual rights and community safety. The uniformed patrol force is the backbone of the Police Department, supporting all other police services.

Responsibilities

• Handle a wide range of calls for service
• Generate self-initiated activity (e.g., traffic/pedestrian stops)
• Provide enforcement activity (arrests, citations, etc.)
• Maintain public order when appropriate
• Complete report writing
• Collect, preserve, and store evidence
• Provide courtroom testimony
• Operate a motor vehicle under emergency conditions while multitasking (e.g., communicating via radio, planning routes, assessing threats, requesting resources)
• Adapt to changing conditions and updated information
• Master local geography, including street names, locations, and address numbering patterns

Requirements

• Be at least 20 years of age and not more than 34 years of age at the time of application (exemption for veterans: may exceed the maximum age by the number of years served on active military duty, up to 10 years)
• Be at least 21 years of age to accept the appointment
• High school diploma or its equivalent
• U.S. citizenship
• Ability to possess a firearm