Police Officer (Certified)

General Purpose

Performs a variety of entry-level professional and technical law enforcement duties related to enforcing laws, maintaining the peace, providing security, rendering aid and protecting the citizens of and visitors to the community. Responds to situations involving threats to public safety and makes emergency decisions affecting the lives and health of others, including in circumstances and at times when personal life or personal safety may be at risk.

Reporting Relationships

Supervision Received: The Police Officers receive general supervision in the carrying out of duties and close supervision in activity review by the Police Sergeant. Supervision Exercised: None.

Essential Functions

• Performs duties that put life and/or personal safety at risk;
• Performs duties that actively prevent or detect crime and enforce criminal statutes or ordinances of the state of Utah;
• Responds to situations involving threats to public safety, makes emergency decisions affecting the lives and health of others;
• Patrols an assigned area of the City in a radio/Mobile Data Computer equipped vehicle to preserve law and order;
• May be assigned to a foot patrol, extra patrol, bicycle patrol, motorcycle;
• Checks businesses/residences, discovering/preventing the commission of crimes;
• Enforces State and municipal laws and city ordinances;
• Enforces all applicable city, state, and federal laws and ordinances by apprehending, citing and arresting violators as appropriate;
• Investigates criminal activity, gathers evidence, interviews victims, witnesses and suspects and takes appropriate action to solve case and to bring suspects before proper judicial process;
• Investigates traffic accidents, enforces traffic and parking violations; directs traffic and assists motorists as needed;
• Responds to calls for service and renders aid to distressed citizens by maintaining the peace, supplying information, and aiding in assisting the citizens as applicable;
• Completes detailed and accurate reports of daily activities, criminal cases, arrests, traffic accidents and other cases as appropriate; presents evidence and testimony in court and other hearings as required;
• Operates police vehicle and other department equipment in a manner that will maximize its life span and provide the utmost safety for the officer and the public;
• Maintains visible presence to deter and prevent crime;
• Performs foot and/or bicycle patrol in the business areas to acquaint themselves with the business community and to make themselves more readily available to the citizens;
• Checks for building security and illegal activity;
• Performs ongoing public relations to enhance the image of the department within the community.

Special Qualifications (Licenses, Certifications, etc.)

• Must possess current Utah P.O.S.T. Law Enforcement Officer Certification
• Equivalent out-of-state certification may be considered for lateral applicants in accordance with Utah P.O.S.T. requirements.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Moderately heavy physical activity;
• Required to push, pull or lift medium heavy weights;
• Difficult working positions;
• Must stand, walk, or sit uncomfortably for extended periods;
• Moderate exposure to elements such as heat, cold, dampness, fumes, noise, dust or grease;
• Exposure to hostile, life-threatening situations;
• May be required to use physical force to include deadly force in course of assigned duties;
• Considerable exposure to stressful and traumatic situations because of human behavior;
• Required to work irregular hours, weekends, and holidays in addition to regularly scheduled shift on an as needed basis.

Selection Guidelines

• Formal application;
• Review of training and experience;
• Interview with hiring authority;
• Physical fitness test;
• Background investigation.

Additional Information

• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test and psychological evaluation.
• Upon employment must possess a Utah driver's license.
• At the discretion of the Chief of Police, exceptions to the selection process may be allowed for lateral candidates who possess Utah P.O.S.T. Law Enforcement Officer Certification or a like certification from another state.