Mental Health Deputy

About the role

Promote and maintain a safe and peaceful community by preserving order, protecting life and property, enforcing laws and ordinances, and safeguarding individual liberties. Treat others with fairness, dignity, and respect, and carry out duties in conformance with Federal and State statutes while following the Policies and Procedures of Lubbock County and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergencies as a first responder and provide mutual assistance during emergency situations
• Attend required departmental meetings and perform other duties as may be assigned by supervisory personnel
• Takes calls for services and writes reports as needed, and prepares for and testifies in court
• Serves criminal and mental health warrants, and assists other divisions of the Sheriff’s Office, as well as other law enforcement agencies
• Assists at crime scenes, patrols county area to ensure citizen safety, and maintains contact with department supervisory personnel to coordinate activities
• Works an assigned shift using discretionary judgment in the performance of sworn duties
• Maintain a Mental Health Deputy Program that promotes collaboration between local law enforcement and mental health professionals to provide crisis intervention and crisis stabilization services to individuals in behavioral health emergencies
• Coordinate with the Patrol Division personnel to respond to requests for crisis intervention for individuals identified to be in a behavioral health emergency
• Serve as a liaison between the Patrol Division and community stakeholders with an interest in behavioral health services
• Ensure Mental Health Deputies transport individuals in behavioral health emergencies to the appropriate service location where the individual can receive crisis stabilization services

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and Peace Officer certification through TCOLE
• Mental Health Peace Officer Certification within one year of selection

Skills

• Knowledge of the Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Traffic Code, Health and Safety Code, and Family Code
• Search and seizure laws, investigations and crime prevention methods, and defensive tactics
• Ability to safely operate vehicles, firearms, and specialized equipment; physically restrain individuals; make decisions quickly; read and write reports, letters, and operate computers
• Ability to interpret laws, policies, and procedures; recognize problems and recommend solutions, establish and maintain effective relationships with other law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office, other departmental employees, and the general public
• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communications, maintain accurate records; maintain appropriate certifications, and a good driving record

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED certificate
• Possess a valid Texas Driver’s License
• A valid Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
• Mental Health Peace Officer Certification within one year of selection

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds, such as books and records and occasionally must lift and move objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more. The employee may be called upon during emergency situations to exert intense physical exertion, such as run, jump, crawl, or other physical aspects of law enforcement duties. The employee must be able to complete a one mile run in under 12:30 minutes, be able to complete 20 pushups in a minute, and 20 sit-ups in a minute.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The working environment will include, but is not limited to the following: Wind, rain, sleet, snow, hail, and temperature ranging from below 0 degrees to above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.