Police Officer I/Recruit

Job Summary

The primary purpose of this position is general duty police work involving protection of life and property, enforcement of laws, crime investigation, and service to the public. The employee has a significant impact on the quality of life through community partnership, strategic police patrols, and thorough investigations.

Below is a brief overview of the testing process and important dates to guide you through the steps:

• Phase One: Idaho Department of Labor Online - The online exam will need to be completed and passed before the Physical fitness exam. Applicants will be required to complete the online Idaho Department of Labor test, which consists of the following topics: Vocabulary, Typing, Spelling, Reading comprehension, Grammar, Arithmetic.
• Phase Two: Idaho POST Physical Fitness Test - The Idaho Peace Officer PFTB is comprised of five tests. Applicants who do not pass the physical fitness test will not be allowed to continue with the testing process.
• Phase Three: Oral Board Interview - The oral board interview is where the applicant appears before a group of at least 3 members from the department, or members of the community, and is asked a series of questions. Each of the members on the board then scores the applicant’s performance. For candidates who travel more than 4 hours to test, they can request the interview via Zoom.
• Phase Four: Background Investigation - Pre-employment polygraph, Medical examination (including vision and hearing examination), Psychological examination, Final interview with the Chief and admin.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Patrols assigned areas to ensure the security of life and property, observe situations, and deter crime by providing high visibility; provides information to the public concerning methods for improve security.
• Responds to suspicious activities and answers emergency calls for service.
• Enforces local, state and federal laws and ordinances; issues verbal warnings and citations; pursues and apprehends suspects and requests assistance as required; transports prisoners.
• Investigates juvenile and designated adult criminal activity and incidents as the assigned detective; interviews victims, complainants, witnesses and suspects.
• Coordinates crime scene control and investigation, including interviews, interrogate and identification of witnesses. Processes crime scene and evidence collection; stores and maintains evidence property, including narcotics; may send evidence to other law enforcement agencies as required.
• Restores order, protects life and property, and maintains the peace at public gatherings and in conflict situations.
• Prepares and documents cases, completes reports and records, and prepares and maintains other logs and records; provides evidence and testimony in court.
• Investigates traffic accidents and provides traffic and crowd control as necessary; participates in special details and assignments.
• Provides emergency aid and assistance to incapacitated persons and requests additional response.
• Provides information, directions, and other services and assistance to the public.
• Directs the activities of police support personnel in field situations.
• Organizes and coordinates special assignments, such as crime prevention program in the schools and the community.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge Of Principles, practices, techniques and equipment used in law enforcement, patrol, crime scene and follow-up investigation, pursuit and apprehension of suspects, and arrest/custody of prisoners.
• Identification techniques and equipment used in investigations.
• Applicable laws, rules, regulations, administrative orders, and court decisions applicable to law enforcement activities.
• Safety practices and precautions pertaining to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms.
• First aid methods and procedures.
• Standard business software tools such as database management, word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, Internet browser programs.
• Tactics for dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, where relations may be confrontational or strained.

SKILLS

• Maintaining accurate files and preparing clear and concise records, reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Remaining calm and taking appropriate action in difficult situations.
• Observing and accurately recalling places, names, descriptive characteristics and facts of incidents.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within procedural guidelines.
• Understanding and following oral and written directions.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• The use of firearms and other applicable equipment used in law enforcement.
• Demonstrating patience, integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Operating a motor vehicle safely at high speeds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and to communicate effectively in person and on a telephone or audio/video tape.
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, read printed materials and a VDT screen, and to observe real or potential crime scenes, victims, witnesses and other persons; to operate a motor vehicle; and to observe real or potential sources of danger.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in a typical office setting, operate office equipment, use a handgun and shoulder fired weapon systems, operate a motor vehicle, and apprehend individuals; the employee must maintain strength, stamina and other physical and psychological characteristics to meet Idaho POST standards.
• Positions in this class require performing repetitive motions in fingering and hand/wrist/arm movements.

RELATED TASKS

• Lifting or moving up to 20 pounds frequently and 75 pounds occasionally, and stooping, bending, crouching and reaching.
• Working in a normal office environment and outdoors, which may expose the employee to adverse weather conditions and excessive noise.
• Occasionally hazardous conditions.
• Exposure to occupational hazards, such as blood borne pathogens, or other toxic and hazardous substances.
• Evening, weekend, holiday and/or on-call work.