Police Officer - Academy Graduate

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, provides a wide variety of police duties including but not limited to; conducts patrol of an assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, maintains orders, protects life and property, prevents, detects and investigates crimes, maintains law and order, apprehends criminals, performs community policing activities, special assignments, and other related law enforcement work as required.

DEFINITION

Completion of a California Peace Officer & Standards Training Basic Police Academy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilizing a variety of patrol methodologies, which include, but is not limited to automobile, bicycle, and foot patrol to respond to radio and dispatch calls related to traffic incidents and any other required emergencies; observing, monitoring and controlling routine and unusual traffic conditions; assisting and advising motorists, and enforcing traffic safety laws.
• Coinciding and conducting complete investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gambling and narcotics violations, robberies, burglaries, thefts, accidents, deaths and similar events.
• Collecting and preserving evidence at scene of crime and/or accident; lifting fingerprints, drawing sketches, and taking photographs.
• Making arrests as necessary; interviewing victims, complainants and witnesses; interrogating suspects; searching and transporting prisoners; testifying and presenting evidence in court; serving warrants and subpoenas; keeping up-to-date on laws and procedures required for processing warrants; retrieving and requesting information involving arrests and subpoenas; filing complaints and performing other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Enforcing laws and ordinances, detecting and investigating crimes, maintaining order, protecting life and property; developing community-based methodologies for the prevention of crime.
• Contacting and cooperating with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Preparing reports of arrests, activities, and unusual incidents.
• Stopping drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; warning drivers against unlawful practices; issuing citations and making arrests, as necessary.
• Maintaining contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserving good relationships with the general public.
• Preparing written reports on accidents, offenses, arrests, and on property impounded.
• Operating computer equipment and related software programs.
• Inspecting establishments which provide alcoholic beverages and entertainment for conformance to all applicable laws and codes.
• Intervening in disputes to protect the public and to maintain order.
• Participating in training and related programs as directed.
• Exercising safety and precaution in the performance of law enforcement duties in accordance with the City's police departmental procedures and citywide safety policies and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: High school diploma, GED, or other equivalent educational courses. POST Basic Academy Certificate.
• Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid California driver's license at time of appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Standing: Typically, incumbents stand while taking police reports, communicating with citizens and while directing traffic. They also stand at the scene of traffic accidents, crimes and often stand while awaiting information at a hospital after a traffic accident has occurred. Incumbents stand while booking prisoners in a jail or detention facility or while confronting suspects/citizens during the normal course of duty.
• Walking: Typically, incumbents walk while going to a home, business or site of an incident where they take reports. Incumbents also walk while returning to their patrol cars. Incumbents walk while in the police facility on police business such as filing a report, attending briefings or during training.
• Sitting: Typically, incumbents spend a great deal of time sitting while driving a patrol car or other police vehicle. Most of the officer's time may be spent sitting in a police vehicle. Occasionally, people will invite incumbents to sit down while they are taking a report. Incumbents may also sit while waiting at a hospital during the treatment of an arrested person or while attending training or performing office tasks and report writing.
• Stooping/Bending: Typically, stooping and bending are necessary if incumbents are at the site of a crime in progress. Stooping or bending may also be needed to take a position of cover or concealment. Incumbents may find it necessary to pick up an uncooperative prisoner or may find it necessary to assume awkward positions in order to place a person under arrest and/or in a patrol car.
• Lifting: Incumbents may have to pick up prisoners if the prisoner is not cooperative as in the case of a prisoner under the influence of drugs or alcohol. On occasion it might be necessary to assist another officer in carrying a prisoner and they may have to lift and/or drag up to 165 pounds. Items such as evidence or recovered stolen property like television sets, computers, stereos, or bicycles may also be lifted on occasion.
• Carrying: Incumbents may have to carry a prisoner if the prisoner is not cooperative or incapable of walking on his/her own. They also carry weapons on their duty belts which may weigh up to 30 pounds when equipped with portable radio, handcuffs, batons, flashlights, and extra ammunition. This extra weight increases the fatigue factor of an officer on duty. Incumbents may need to carry barricade equipment, car video equipment, spike strips, briefcases or other materials during the course of their shift or while attending a court hearing.
• Pushing/Pulling: Incumbents may find it necessary to push stalled cars out of the roadway to avoid traffic hazards. Pushing and pulling might also be involved while dealing with uncooperative or combative prisoners or when attempting to gain entry.
• Balancing: Incumbents need to be able to balance while walking on a roof or fence or while going over ledges when trying to apprehend a criminal suspect. Incumbents may also find it necessary to climb ladders. In addition, Incumbents have to demonstrate balance as part of a field sobriety examination associated with suspected drunk drivers.
• Climbing: Incumbents may find it necessary to climb fences and ladders while pursuing a suspect. They may climb to get into a yard to cover the back of a house when there is a reported crime in progress. They will climb stairs to access all areas in questions or while working in the office.
• Twisting: Not applicable.