Patrol Officer

Summary

Enforces laws protecting life and property, directs and controls traffic, prevents crime or disturbances of the peace, and arrests violators by performing the following duties:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Patrols assigned area in patrol car to enforce laws, prevent and discover crimes, investigate crimes, maintain order, and answer calls and complaints. - Answers radio dispatch or citizens' requests for police services at the scene of accidents, domestic disputes, law violations, and peace disturbances. - Familiarize oneself with the assigned area and the persons residing there. - Investigate illegal or suspicious activities, persons, and establishments; quell disturbances. - Locate, search, detain, and arrest law violators, following recognized police procedures. - Interview and question victims, witnesses, and suspects. - Gather and preserve evidence. - Perform first aid and assist victims of accidents. - Investigate causes and results of accidents and unusual or suspicious conditions. Direct traffic. - Issue written citations for traffic and other minor violations; serve warrants. - Inspect public establishments requiring licenses to ensure compliance with rules and regulations. - Conduct security checks on commercial buildings and residences. - Arrest persons suspected of misdemeanors or felonies. - Maintain vehicle and personal assigned equipment. - Guard, transport, and detain. - Operate police communication and computer equipment to obtain, disseminate, and report information. - Address and work with community groups to promote good public relations and inform citizens of police activities, crime prevention, and crime problems. - Write accurate, timely, detailed incidents, investigations, activities, and other reports. - Testify in court as needed to present evidence by describing conditions, situations, and actions. - Assist other agencies and departments as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. - Write routine reports and correspondence. - Speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. - Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. - Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Education, Experience, and Training

- Successful completion of a certified police academy. - Prior experience and/or training are preferred but not required. - Texas Class "C" Driver's License in good standing. - Basic Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

Physical Demands

- Frequently stand, walk, sit, talk, or hear. - Occasionally use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. - Specific vision abilities required include distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Work Environment

- Occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. - Noise level varies from situation to situation. - Considered essential and requires response in an area-wide or local emergency.