Criminal Deputy - Entry Level

General Statement of Duties/Job Objectives

Enforces State and local traffic, criminal and civil laws and County Codes. Patrols roads, waterways and business and residential areas. Investigates traffic accidents, crimes and complaints relating to criminal law enforcement in the County. Arrests and books suspects; serves warrants of arrest, subpoenas, summons and other civil process. Appears as witness in Court. Administers first aid, assists with search and rescue, receives and maintains evidence, prepares necessary reports.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of a Sergeant on an assigned shift who coordinates and directs Deputy's activities during the shift. Sergeant or Shift Supervisor advises Deputy as to proper procedures or interpretations of the law as necessary. Work is regularly reviewed for conformance to laws and office policies and regulations.

Essential Functions

• Patrol roads, business and residential areas to enforce traffic and criminal laws; issue warnings or citations for violations, make security checks and check for suspicious persons or vehicles. Respond to calls including major crimes, civil complaints, theft, assaults, family disputes, juvenile complaints and take appropriate action.
• Maintain written records of all activities and prepare reports necessary for accident and criminal investigations, crime prevention, prosecution and office activities.
• Make arrests as necessary in the performance of various duties; handle suspects and prisoners in accordance with established procedures; transport suspects and prisoners.
• Investigate traffic accidents checking for injured persons, administering emergency first aid, securing the accident scene to insure safety of all persons, gather information by interviewing participants and witnesses.
• Investigate crimes and criminal complaints; preserve crime scene, interview victims, witnesses and suspects; collect and mark evidence; conduct follow-up investigation, including the apprehension of suspects.
• Serve subpoenas, summons, warrants for arrest and other civil process papers; appear as a witness in Court to testify on matters relating to accidents, crimes and investigations. May extradite and transport persons back to Linn County.
• Assist with search and rescue operations.
• Patrol waterways; enforce all marine, fish and game laws.
• Develop and maintain proficiency in the use of law enforcement equipment including firearms, police radio and communication codes, vehicles, intoxilyzers, crime scene kits, fingerprinting equipment, radar/laser, still and video cameras.
• Investigate unattended deaths which result from natural, accidental or suicidal circumstances.
• Assist with crime prevention activities which include surveillance, patrol and dissemination of information to the public.
• Answer public inquiries, complaint procedures and provide other general assistance as required.
• On a rotating basis, Deputy Sheriffs may also be assigned to the Detective Division for more intensive participation in felony and misdemeanor crime investigation duties.
• May have special responsibilities associated with receiving evidence and recovered property, marking for proper identification, custody of evidence, transporting evidence to crime lab, and testimony in Court as to the care and custody of evidence.
• Must prepare for and prosecute criminal cases on the State's behalf in those areas where the District Attorney will not appear, (traffic infractions, less than one ounce marijuana possession, dog violations, marine offenses and minor game violations) and in the Justice Courts of Linn County.
• Develop and maintain effective, harmonious and reasonable work relationships with others.
• Maintain regular and predictable work attendance.

Other Functions

This classification covers the most significant essential functions performed by an employee in this position but it does not include other occasional work which may be similar to, related to or a logical assignment for the position. Any one position in this classification may be assigned some or all of the duties listed under essential functions or that arise as other functions. The balance of the various duties, responsibilities and/or assignments of this position may change from time to time based upon management’s decisions on how to best allocate resources. Any shift, emphasis or rebalancing does not constitute a change in the essential functions of the job classification.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Some knowledge of the pertinent Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, including traffic, criminal, civil, juvenile, fish and game and marine statutes.
• Some knowledge of investigatory procedures and the gathering and preservation of evidence.
• Some knowledge of the use of law enforcement equipment including firearms, vehicles, radios and Intoxilyzers.
• Demonstrated skill in the efficient and safe use of firearms and motor vehicles, including the operation of vehicles at high speeds and under adverse road conditions.
• Ability to learn a considerable amount of factual material relating to laws, ordinances and regulations, and apply this knowledge to on-the-job situations.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret laws, ordinances and regulations.
• Ability to understand sometimes complex oral and written instructions and to act upon them accordingly.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, exercising considerable judgment to determine a proper course of action, in some instances without consulting a supervisor.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to assist persons undergoing emotional stress or mental disorder while maintaining a professional and objective posture.
• Ability to exercise appropriate physical actions in the arrest and restraint of persons to insure the safety of all persons.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow officers, supervisors, complainants, crime victims and suspects, witnesses and the general public.

Experience, Education and Training

• Graduation from a senior high school or possession of the equivalent GED certificate.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Be of good moral fitness, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Be free of any conviction for any felony; any misdemeanor involving violent behavior; or unlawful use, possession, delivery, or manufacture of a controlled substance, narcotic or dangerous drug.
• Pass a written test and oral interview as prescribed by the Sheriff's Office.
• Be willing to work weekends, holidays, varying shifts and extra hours.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment may be a condition of employment.
• Must pass a general physical examination as required by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and a comprehensive psychological examination.
• Possession of a Basic Certificate from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) certification within one year of hire date are required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid First Aid and CPR card including instruction of the operation of Automatic External Defibrillators.