Police Officer

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Patrol designated areas of the City in car, by foot, or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Protect real and personal property by providing security checks of residential, business, and public premises.
• Maintain awareness of and remain alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress.
• Issue warnings and citations.

Respond to Calls

• Respond to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints, and related incidents.
• Investigate complaints and take appropriate action, which may include the use of deadly or non-deadly force.
• Use sound judgment under adverse, stressful conditions.

Criminal Investigations

• Conduct investigations at scenes of incidents to which summoned or incidents observed.
• Determine what, if any, crime has been committed.
• Identify, collect, preserve, process, and book evidence.
• Locate and interview victims and witnesses.
• Identify and interrogate suspects.

Partnership with Law Enforcement Agencies

• Work in partnership with the District Attorney’s Office to obtain and file criminal complaints on arrested subjects and participate in courtroom testimony.
• Serve as liaison and public relations officer to the public.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.

Training and Development

• Participate in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including firearms proficiency, defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills.

Other Duties

• Initiate and complete reports, legal documents, and other required paperwork.
• Prepare a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made, and unusual incidents observed.
• Prepare investigative reports and case information.
• Testify in courts and at hearings; prepare and present case evidence; respond to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
• Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency situations; provide traffic and crowd control at events; provide security at City Council Meetings and Other City Functions.
• Enforce parking regulations; issue citations; and/or tow vehicles that are in violation of codes.
• Sign off on citations and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification.
• Participate in special assignments including Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT), Community Involvement Unit (CIU), Field Training Officers, Canine Unit and related assignments.
• When assigned as a Field Training Officer, train new recruits and lateral police officers; document trainee progress and prepare evaluations; serve as acting field supervisor as assigned.
• When assigned as School Resource Officer, serve as law enforcement officer, law related counselor, and law related instructor at assigned school; create a positive role model for students; serve as liaison between students and law enforcement; investigate crimes that occur within the school and on school property; provide information and assistance to school staff and administration, parents, and students regarding law enforcement and community problems; make group presentations; attend committee meetings; maintain program statistics and reports.