Police Officer

General Purpose

A police officer is responsible for the efficient performance of required duties conforming to the rules, regulations, and general orders contained herein. Duties shall consist of, but are not limited to, general police responsibilities necessary to the safety and good order of the community.

Essential Duties

• Exercises authority consistent with obligations imposed by the oath of office. Accountable to superior officer. Promptly obeys legitimate orders.
• Coincides efforts with those of other members of the department so that teamwork may ensure continuity of purpose and achievement of police objectives.
• Communicates to superiors and to fellow officers all information obtained in the field which is pertinent to the achievement of police objectives.
• Responds punctually to all assignments.
• Records information concerning events that have taken place since the last tour of duty.
• Maintains weapons and equipment in a functional, presentable condition.
• Aids people who are in danger of physical harm.
• Facilitates the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Identifies potentially serious law enforcement or governmental problems.
• Promotes and preserves the peace.
• Provides emergency services.
• Works weekends, holidays, unscheduled overtime and night shift.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Patrols an assigned area for general purposes of crime prevention & law enforcement.
  • Be thoroughly familiar with the assigned route of patrol. Such familiarity includes knowledge of residents, merchants, businesses, roads, alleyways, paths, etc. Conditions that contribute to crime should be reported. The location of telephones and other emergency services should be noted.
  • Apprehends persons violating the law or wanted by the police.
  • Completes detailed reports on all crimes, vehicle crashes, and other incidents requiring police attention.
  • In cases where an arrest is made, an arrest report is submitted along with the required crime reports.
  • When property is recovered or additional information is discovered pertaining to a previously reported offense, the officer completes an Investigation report.
  • Preserves any serious crime scene until: the Sergeant or Investigator arrives.
  • Public assembly checks.
  • Building security checks.
  • Observing and interviewing suspicious persons.
  • Issuing traffic citations.
  • Being alert for and reporting fires.
  • Reporting street light and traffic signals out of order, street hazards and any conditions that endanger public safety.
  • Checking schools, parks, and playgrounds.
  • Responding to any public emergency.
• Conducts a thorough investigation of all offenses and incidents within the area of assignment and scope of activity. Collects evidence and records data which will aid in identification, apprehension and prosecution of offenders, as well as the recovery of property.
• Is alert to the development of conditions tending to cause crime of indicative of criminal activity. Takes preventive action to correct such conditions, and informs superiors as soon as the situation permits.
• Responds to situations brought to the officer’s attention while in the course of routine patrol or when assigned by radio. Render First Aid, when qualified, to persons who are ill or injured. Assist persons needing police services.
• Remains on assigned patrol throughout the tour of duty except when a police emergency necessitates a temporary absence, or when the Sergeant or senior police officer on duty gives authorization for a temporary absence.
• Patrols area giving particular attention to and frequently rechecking locations where the crime hazard is great. Insofar as possible, a patrol officer shall not patrol an area according to any fixed route or schedule, but shall alternate frequently and backtrack in order to be at the location least expected.
• Be alert for all nuisances, impediments, obstructions, defects or other conditions that might endanger or hinder the safety, health or convenience of the public within the patrol area.

Qualifications

• Officers need to have knowledge of resources available to the department, particularly as related to juveniles;
• Knowledge of police investigative techniques and techniques of identification;
• General knowledge of rules of evidence and laws of search and seizure;
• Possess the ability to deal effectively with juveniles and adults;
• Show the ability to question and interview skillfully;
• Ability to organize and prepare clear and concise oral and written reports;
• Exercise skill in the use of firearms and police equipment;
• Possess of physical ability and endurance;
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with juveniles, parents, school officials, fellow workers and the public.

Education and Experience

• A high school degree or equivalent;
• Certified completion New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy;
• Two (2) years of patrol experience. Must be able to pass City drug testing;
• No felony convictions or convictions for a crime of moral turpitude.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Computers
• Fax Machine
• Copiers
• Sleuth Computer Program
• Microsoft Office Programs
• Cameras (Video & Still)
• Digital Recorders (video and audio)
• Tape Recorders
• Firearms
• Handcuffs
• Expandable Baton
• OC Spray
• Radio
• Police Vehicle with various emergency equipment
• Templates
• Variety Measuring devices
• Radar
• Police Tazers
• Flares
• Various other equipment as necessary.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to frequently lift and/or move heavy objects or persons.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to sit, stand, talk and hear.
• Must be able to use hands and fingers to feel objects and/or control them.
• Must be able to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, run and physically subdue combative subjects.
• The employee is required to perform shift work which may include days, evening, and nights including weekends and holidays.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is performed inside/outside in all types of weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate.