Police Officer I

About the role

Performs responsible general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property in the Town.

Responsibilities

• Patrols streets in a police car, on foot, by bicycle or other appropriate means; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions, may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, and other’s needs; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citations; directs traffic and participates in other emergency operation activities.
• Performs investigations of crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, suspects, and victims, and gathering physical evidence; performs investigative tasks; arrests and processes criminal suspects; maintains detailed case files; conducts follow-up investigations, develops sources, and leads; maintains chain of custody of evidence; coordinates cases with DA’s office; testifies in court.
• Serves as School Resource Officer; establishes trust and effective working relationships with school administration, faculty, staff, students, and parents; plans and executes effective traffic management; coordinates and participates in security and law enforcement for special school events; investigates crimes that occur on campus; provides personal counseling on law enforcement and behavioral issues as requested.
• Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; testifies in court; executes search warrants; serves papers as needed.
• Regulates and directs vehicular traffic at busy times or when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require; maintains order at public gatherings.
• Performs funeral and bank escorts.
• Operates a two-way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters.
• Prepares detailed records and reports of activities.
• Uses a variety of software programs to prepare incident reports, perform research, check driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, check for outstanding warrants and related research.
• Performs special projects as assigned by the department such as helping with background investigations of applicants, helping install or maintain security of technology, and helping coordinate in-service training.

Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and some law enforcement training or experience.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and policies of the police department, especially relating to arrest, search and seizure, and traffic control.
• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
• Working knowledge of scientific criminal detection and identification methods.
• Skilled in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense and de-escalation tactics.
• Skilled in collaborative conflict resolution.
• Ability to communicate clearly over radio and other technology.
• Ability to operate a computer terminal.
• Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective relations with the citizens, coworkers, other law enforcement agencies, and Town officials.

Benefits

• Employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employer-paid Employee Life Insurance
• Participation in the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System
• Five percent (5%) employer contribution to the NC 401(k)
• Optional 457(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Holiday Leave
• Bereavement Leave (40 hours)
• Shared Leave
• Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks)
• Paid Eldercare Leave (120 hours)
• Dash-More Time (32 hours)
• Membership with Local Government Federal Credit Union
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Longevity Pay
• Christmas Bonus
• On-site gym (Town Hall and Community Center)
• Optional Supplemental Term Life Insurance
• STD, Accident, Cancer, Medical Bridge, Critical Illness, & Whole Life Insurance
• Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)