Certified Police Officer

Description

The City of Somerton is currently hiring Certified Police Officers. We offer a competitive compensation package and the opportunity to serve in a growing, community-focused city.

Compensation - Certified Officer Starting Salary: $30.15/ $62,712 annually

• Hiring Bonus Incentives:
  • $10,000 for Certified Officers
  • $100 per month for Bilingual (Spanish) Pay
  • $1,000 Annual Retention Incentive
  • Take-Home Vehicle

Serve with pride. Grow with purpose. Make a difference in Somerton!

Summary

Under basic supervision, works with the Somerton Police Department Officers and learns to provide responsive police services; patrols; investigates; responds to calls for service; enforces laws; prevents crimes; and educates citizens according to area of assignment.

Essential Functions

• Enforces State and Federal laws, and City codes according to consistently applied Somerton Police Department policies, procedures and regulations and duties will vary according to job assignment.
• Assists in patrolling the City to preserve law and order, deter and detect criminal activity, enforce laws and regulations, respond to citizen requests for assistance, reduce fear, apprehend violators, and provide public safety.
• Provides security and a safe environment for the community; looks for unusual and suspicious activities and people; responds to calls for service; interrogates and communicates with victims, witnesses and suspects; provides scene security and protection for emergency services and other agency personnel.
• Answers calls and complaints; provides community-oriented police services to improve and enhance the quality of life in the community; treats citizens with courtesy and respect.
• Investigates crimes and accidents; administers first aid, secures crime and accident scenes, conducts preliminary investigations, and identifies and preserves evidence.
• Ars arrest law violators, and processes suspects, victims and prisoners; collects evidence and personal property, maintains proper records and chain of custody documentation, as well as testifies in court.
• Completes detailed reports and required paperwork; serves warrants and court documents.
• Cross trains in a wide variety of law enforcement skills and disciplines.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values and goals of the Somerton Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Somerton and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:
  • Must be an AZ POST certified officer; OR must have been a certified officer in another state. Out of State certified officers will be required to apply for reciprocity. For more information on reciprocity and the waiver process, visit AZ POST.
  • Be a United States citizen.
  • Be in sound physical and mental health.
  • Have at least 20/20 vision uncorrected; or 20/20 vision corrected by glasses or hard contact lenses if uncorrected acuity is 20/80 or better; 20/20 vision corrected by soft contact lenses if uncorrected acuity is 20/20 or better. Vision capable of distinguishing basic color groups against a favorable background.
  • Must meet AZ POST and Somerton Police Department drug standards.
  • Must have good moral character and personal integrity.
  • Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalency.

Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• State of Arizona criminal and civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
• Duties, powers, authorities and limitations of a Police Officer.
• AZ criminal justice and court procedures, and justice agency records management requirements.
• Modern law enforcement methods and procedures.
• Procedures and protocols for observation of critical details.
• Community Policing techniques, procedures and applications.
• Principles of crime scene management, and the operation of specialized technical equipment.
• Geography, roads, and landmarks of City and surrounding areas.
• Local community issues and regional community resources that are available to citizens.

Skill in:

• Using initiative, discretion and judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Working under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Evaluating facts and evidence, drawing logical conclusions and making proper recommendations.
• Learning to exercise controlled discretion, communicate with violators, recognize suspicious behavior patterns, mediate difficult situations, and use effective arrest & control techniques.
• Always remaining alert and reacting quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Operating motor vehicles and special police equipment during emergency situations.
• Following Somerton Police Department procedures when chasing, arresting, and transporting criminals and suspects.
• Learning to solicit information from emotional and angry individuals.
• Learning to investigate, interrogate and interview suspects to deter, stop and resolve criminal activities.
• The care, maintenance and safe operation of a variety of law enforcement tools and equipment.
• Managing situations that require diplomacy, fairness, firmness and sound judgment.
• Interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Following and communicating verbal and written instructions.
• Working as a team member.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required. Must maintain Peace Officer certification with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board. Additional technical training and certifications may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in a standard office environment, and in the field on tactical assignments; may be exposed to physical attacks, hazardous chemicals, infectious and communicable diseases; required to capture and physically restrain persons; must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Somerton Police Department standards. This job is classified as safety sensitive, and subject to State and Federal regulations.

Benefits

• ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (ASRS): City employees are automatically enrolled in the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute 11.86% (pre-tax) and the City contributes 11.86% of employee gross wages through automatic deduction. Should an employee terminate City employment, the ASRS funds may be withdrawn or remain until retirement. Contributions to the ASRS are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).
• LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD): Included through the Arizona State Retirement System. Employees contribute .14% and the City contributes .14% of employee gross wages. LTD contributions are in addition to FICA (Social Security taxes).
• SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE: Employees pay a contribution into the Social Security & Medicare System.
• WORKER'S COMP.: Insurance coverage for medical expenses and loss of income due to an on-the-job injury is provided by the City of Somerton for all employees.
• MEDICAL, DENTAL, and VISION INSURANCE: The City of Somerton is proud to provide medical, dental and vision insurance for its employees which is administered by CapFi. Employees may choose from two traditional PPO plans or a High-Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Dependent premiums are paid one month in advance and are pre-taxed (unless waived). Additional information regarding medical, dental and vision benefits may be requested from the City's Human Resources Department.
• MEXICO MEDICAL and DENTAL INSURANCE (SIARMED): The city offers full-time eligible employees health insurance and dental plan options through Siarmed. The city will pay a portion of the employee’s cost if the employee enrolls into the plans. The city also contributes a percentage to cover spouse and/or dependents premiums.
• LIFE INSURANCE: The City pays 100% of the cost of this MetLife Group Term Life Insurance Plan. $50,000 of Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for each benefit eligible employee is provided by the City. Employees may elect, at their cost, additional life insurance for up to 5X their annual salary. Various voluntary insurance policies are available at your cost and may be set up as an automatic payroll deduction. Information is available from the City's Human Resources Department.
• HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT: If you choose to enroll in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), you will have an H.S.A. provided by HealthEquity. An H.S.A. is a tax advantaged savings and spending account that can be used to pay for qualified health care expenses. The City contributes $1,400 annually to an employee’s H.S.A. when enrolled in the HDHP. The funds will be contributed in equal monthly installments of $116.67. This contribution will be pro-rated for new hires throughout the year.
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Provides free counseling sessions for employees and family members, as well as a 24-hour crisis line for emergencies.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): This leave is available for regular full-time employees and is paid leave for an employee's personal time off. PTO can be used 90 days after your hire date. PTO accrual varies by the employees’ years of service, with increases at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service. New employees accrue 4.62 hours per pay period or 120.12 hours annually.
• Extended Illness Bank (EIB) (Sick Leave): Employees are eligible to utilize the extended illness bank immediately following 90 calendar days from their date of hire. The extended illness bank (EIB) is to supplement income for a catastrophic event. EIB may be used in the case of illness, or injury suffered by an employee or for an employee’s immediate family member’s (spouse, child) illness, injury, or death. Two (2) hours per pay period will be credited to the employee’s EIB. A maximum of four hundred eighty (480) hours will be accrued. EIB credits may be used after forty (40) consecutive work hours of incapacitation.
• Holidays: The City recognizes 13 holidays per year. Holiday pay is eight hours per holiday.