Police Officer (Lateral Entry) (Continuous) (Grade 14)

Nature of Work

This is law enforcement work in the protection of life and property through patrol, investigation of a specialized nature, assistance to citizens, arrest and detention, and related activities. Work involves prevention of crime, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, investigations of a specialized nature, crime scene investigations, apprehension of criminals, internal investigations, special assignments, patrolling of assigned areas, enforcement of traffic regulations, accident and crime scene investigations. Work involves an element of personal danger and investigator/officers must be able to act without direct supervision and must be able to exercise independent judgment in meeting complex emergency situations. Work is performed with independence within established policies and procedures, and is reviewed by superiors through observation of the effectiveness of work performed and results through reports, observations, and discussions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of contemporary police practices.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, particularly the laws of arrest evidence.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Police Department.
• Knowledge of computers and applicable software.
• Ability to deal firmly and courteously with the public.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper courses of action to be taken.
• Ability to obtain information through interview and interrogation.
• Ability to give credible testimony in court.
• Ability to speak and write effectively.
• Skill in the use and care of firearms and police vehicles.
• Skill in the use of expandable baton and OC pepper spray.
• Skill in using a computer and related equipment including basic typing and keyboarding skills.

Minimum Education, Training and Experience

• A high school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency.
• A valid U.S. Driver's License.
• A minimum of 21 years of age.
• United States citizenship.
• No conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving force or violence, force related to domestic violence, or a crime of moral turpitude, perjury, or false statement.
• If an applicant has been a member of the armed forces of the United States, the discharge must be under honorable conditions.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Alabama State Certified Law Enforcement Officer.
• Two (2) years of service since APOSTC certification was achieved; or have been employed previously by the Huntsville Police Department and separated in good standing.
• Two (2) or more years of POST certified experience working as a patrol officer for a county or city law enforcement agency including uniform patrol work responding to emergency calls is desired.
• Eligible for hire above the minimum rate as indicated below:
• Two (2) years of experience: Five (5) steps above the established minimum rate - $66,019.20
• Three (3) years of experience: Six (6) steps above the established minimum rate - $67,371.20
• Four (4) years of experience: Seven (7) steps above the established minimum rate - $68,660.80
• Five (5) years of experience: Eight (8) steps above the established minimum rate - $70,075.20
• Six (6) years of experience: Nine (9) steps above the established minimum rate - $71,427.20
• Seven (7) years of experience: Ten (10) steps above the established minimum rate - $72,862.40
• Eight (8) or more years of experience: Eleven (11) steps above the established minimum rate - $73,985.60

Out-of-State Lateral Transfers

• Out-of-state Lateral Police Officer candidates must have two (2) or more years of continuous full-time certified law enforcement employment with a current Peace Officers Standards and Training certificate from another state to be considered. The certification must be in good standing. Please attach your current Law Enforcement Officer Certification to your application.

Hiring Process

• Supplemental Application: Required to be completed by applicants. The deadline for the supplemental application will be provided to the applicant by the department. Please do not complete the supplemental application until you have been contacted and instructed to do so by the police personnel. Supplemental applications may be downloaded at: https://huntsvilleal.seamlessdocs.com/f/supplemental/.
• Physical Agility/Ability Test: Applicants must complete the APOSTC Physical Agility test. Applicants that do not possess an associate’s degree or higher, must also successfully complete The Basic Ability Test (BAT).
• Background Investigation: Applicants must return a completed supplemental background application to Internal Affairs in order to take the physical agility/ability test. Applicants must present a valid driver's license and should also dress appropriately for the physical agility/ability test. Applicants who arrive late or fail to attend the mandatory physical agility/ability test will automatically be removed from the hiring process.
• Selection: Selection for Lateral Police Officer will be conditional upon successfully completing a supplemental application, polygraph examination, APOSTC Physical Ability/Agility test, oral interview, background investigation, psychological test, drug test, and medical examination.

Benefits

• The City of Huntsville offers a competitive benefits package for its regular, full-time employees, such as medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, cancer, off-the-job accident, as well as annual leave, sick leave, holiday and retirement.
• Miscellaneous Benefits:
• Medical Insurance: All eligible and ACA eligible employees may enroll in the City of Huntsville’s group health plans administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama; Blue Card PPO and High Deductible PPO. Benefits include medical/surgical, prescription coverage, and more.
• Mental Health/Substance Abuse: A mental health benefit and substance abuse program is offered through TELUS Health (formerly Behavioral Health Systems, Incorporated (BHS). These benefits are included as part of the group health plan. Services may be accessed by contacting TELUS Health. A designated Care Coordinator for the City of Huntsville can assist with referrals to network providers.
• Dental Plan: The City offers a dental plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company to eligible full-time employees. This plan offers coverage for Preventive and Diagnostic Services, Basic and Major Services, and Orthodontic coverage (for dependent children under the age of 19.) A deductible of $50 per person, $150 per family/calendar year applies for Basic and Major Services. The deductible is waived for Diagnostic and Preventative services and an annual plan maximum of $2,000 per person. Orthodontics carries a $2,000/lifetime max/patient.
• Vision Plan: The City’s vision plan is offered and administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP). VSP provides vision benefits, co-pays for eye exams, frames, and eyeglass lenses, as applicable, and an allowance for contact lenses. The plan also offers exclusive Member Extras for additional savings.
• Retirement: The City’s retirement plan is administered by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA). Participation is mandatory for all regular full and part-time employees. Employees contribute a percentage of their salary to the plan. The City contributes a percentage as determined by RSA.
• Life Insurance: The City provides a $20,000 group life insurance policy to all full-time employees through Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Eligible employees are covered after completing one full day of work and coverage is provided at no-cost to the employee. Additional benefits may apply in the event of accidental death or dismemberment.
• Disability Insurance: The City provides a limited long term disability policy for eligible employees with one year of service, but less than ten years of service. There is no cost to the employee for this coverage. After ten years of service, disability benefits may be requested through the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA).
• Voluntary Life / AD&D: The City offers eligible employees an optional voluntary term life insurance benefit. Employees may apply to purchase additional term life insurance for self, spouse, and eligible dependents. Guarantee issue amounts are available if voluntary life benefits are elected within 30 days of eligibility. Premiums for employee and spouse are based upon age. Child Life is a flat rate based on the level of coverage.
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment: The City also offers an optional voluntary accidental death & dismemberment insurance plan. Employees may purchase insurance for self or family. The plans are administered by Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Please refer to the plan summary for additional information.
• Supplemental Voluntary Benefits: The City offers voluntary Cancer and Off-the-Job Accident plans administered by Allstate Benefits. The Cancer plan provides first occurrence, hospital confinement, radiation & chemotherapy, and other benefits. The Off-the-Job Accident plan provides benefits for injuries occurring off the job. Please refer to the brochures for an explanation of covered benefits.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: The City offers two flexible spending account options to assist with unreimbursed medical expenses and dependent care expenses. These pre-taxed accounts require a qualifying receipt and may be reimbursed by mail or direct deposit. A pre-loaded debit card is available for enrollees in the medical account.