Police Officer

Class Characteristics

An employee in this class, as a law enforcement officer, enforces city ordinances, state and federal laws. Performs those tasks and duties deemed necessary by the Chief of Police or his designee in accomplishing the police mission and achieving the goals of the Muskogee Police Department.

General Summary

The work of a commissioned Police Officer involves responsibility for the protection of life and property, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances. Law enforcement work does involve an element of personal danger. The Officer must be able to exercise sound independent judgment under stress. Work assignments may be general or specific and instructions are received from a supervisor who reviews work methods and results through reports, personal inspection and discussion.

Scheduling

Police Officer positions involve regular and irregular shift work and shift rotations necessary to provide police services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. A shift is 12 hours.

Physical Abilities

• React and move rapidly from a sedentary to active condition in response to environmental situations or events
• Assume a variety of bodily positions and postures necessary to employ available "cover and concealment" during a deadly force encounter
• Respond to a physical attack and possess the ability to escape the attacker and/or summon aid
• Operate and qualify with department authorized or issued firearms, utilizing both hands, as well as each individually
• Operate office equipment, such as telephones, audio/visual devices, computer or workstation keyboards, calculators and security locking systems
• Operate/utilize all department vehicle mounted equipment, whether in a mobile or stationary mode
• Perform required duties for extended periods of time while exposed to adverse conditions, to include time worked in excess of the normal daily duty shift and rotating shift work
• Apprehend suspects to the extent of engaging in foot pursuits while summoning assistance and/or engaging in the necessary use of force
• Discern colors as they are applied in traffic safety situations (electric signals, signing, hazardous materials placards, vehicle and clothing descriptions, etc.)
• Adequately judge distances and estimate speed
• See, read and recognize obstacles in a variety of normal and/or emergency environments. Have vision that is correctable to "department vision" standards
• Determine or estimate the point of origin of noise
• Recognize and relate sound to situations based on frequencies or voice inflection within the normal range of human hearing
• Employ the normal senses of touch and smell

Acceptable Qualifications

• Minimum age of 21 years old and no older than 45 years old
• High school diploma or GED
• Pass the Muskogee Police Department's written examination and physical agility examination
• Pass the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System's medical standards
• Pass all psychological examinations required by the Department
• Successfully complete state certification
• Internal candidates must receive at least an "average" on each rating on the internal evaluation form. If the internal candidate received a written reprimand their application will not be considered for six (6) months. If the internal candidate received a suspension or demotion their application will not be considered for twelve (12) months.

Examples of Duties

• Patrol the city in a police vehicle in order to enforce laws, prevent crime and preserve order; protect and rescue the public from criminal activity, hazards of traffic and dangers of natural phenomena; directs the flow of traffic, enforces traffic laws and regulations, investigates traffic accidents
• Serves as a member of the Special Operations Team or Negotiations Team, K-9 Team, Mounted Patrol, undercover unit, investigative unit as assigned
• Works in uniform or plain clothes as designated
• Writes reports, makes arrests, transports prisoners and conducts investigations into criminal activity
• Utilizes a variety of Department forms and documents
• Serves warrants
• Testsifies in court
• May be responsible for training of new Police Officers and preparing evaluation reports
• Performs related duties, as required

Notice

This classification is a "safety sensitive" position as defined by the United States Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, the Oklahoma Standards for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Act and/or the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana laws. As a "safety sensitive" classification, the employee will be subject to drug and alcohol testing including random testing. Marijuana is one of the substances included in the drug panel screening. Possession of a medical marijuana license will not excuse the employee from the testing process or the consequences of testing positive for marijuana.