POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT

About the role

This is an entry-level recruit position intended for individuals without prior law enforcement experience. Recruits will remain in this position during the first probationary year of employment. Recruits will complete a 12-week training program through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) including virtual, classroom, and hands-on training intended to provide the knowledge, skills, and the abilities to perform the duties of a certified law enforcement officer in the state of South Carolina. Upon completion of the training academy the recruit will be a certified Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer. Following the training academy, recruits will complete the Greenville Police Department's (GPD) field training program as well as a month probationary internal training process. The purpose of this position is to develop and prepare recruits for advancement to Police Officer I.

Responsibilities

• Obtain Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer Certification: Receive 6-8 weeks of training locally via the online SCCJA training program and pass a cumulative test on the material.
• Complete initial firearms training, taser certification, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) training, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray certification, and driving orientation through GPD.
• Complete the SCCJA 8-week training program in Columbia, SC including both classroom and hands-on training.
• Complete Department Field Training: Complete post-academy training through GPD to include rifle familiarization, body worn camera usage, electronic report writing (e.g., incident, collision, and citations), and patrol operations field training.
• Under immediate supervision of a Police Training Officer (PTO), become familiar with patrol zones as well as the various types of calls for service received throughout the city.
• Establish control of incident scene, detain suspects, and provide for the safety of the public.
• Interpret information received from victims, witnesses, and suspects.
• Arrive at a proper solution based on intuition, reason, induction or deduction.
• Conform to department policy and procedures.
• Patrol Assigned Areas: Accompanied by the FTO, independently patrol assigned areas and respond to call for service enforcing the laws of the State of South Carolina, municipal codes of the City of Greenville and federal laws as they apply.
• Apprehend and arrest suspects, using weapons and force when reasonable and necessary to protect lives and property, affect arrest, conduct lawful investigations, or restrain detained individuals to prevent personal injury to themselves or others.
• Obtain, verify, and execute arrest warrants.
• Conduct high-risk felony vehicle stops.
• Detain, search, arrest and handcuff persons, as required.
• Subdue and disarm resisting or attacking persons.
• Transport and handle prisoners.
• Prepare and submit appropriate documents.
• Appear in court (municipal, general sessions, and federal) and testify as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in customer service, community service, social services, security/loss prevention, corrections, military experience, or comparable field.
• Must attend and complete the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) as well as department field training program within one year of hire.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field (preferred).
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

Performance Requirements

• Knowledge Of Laws of the State of South Carolina, municipal codes of the City of Greenville, and federal laws as they apply.
• Criminal law, investigation, statutes, ordinances, and crime prevention methods.
• Departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• FCC rules and regulations regarding police radio communication.
• Common safety rules, regulations, procedures, and practices to include effective restraint techniques, basic first aid and CPR.
• Traffic laws, ordinances and rules involved in motor vehicle operation.
• Geography and locations in the city.
• Rules of evidence and laws governing custody of persons.
• Criminal identification methods.
• Community policing practices.
• Data entry and retrieval procedures.
• Developing and implementing long or short-term plans.
• Laws governing custody of persons.
• Principles and practices of safe motor vehicle operation and maintenance.
• Geography of the city.
• Use and care of a firearm.

Physical Demands

• Continuously requires vision, hearing, and talking.
• Frequently requires standing, reaching, climbing, fine dexterity, handling, walking, using foot controls, balancing, carrying, bending, sitting, crouching, kneeling, twisting, lifting, climbing, crawling, and pushing/pulling.
• Perform duties in situations that range from inactive to situations requiring extreme physical exertion.
• Including but not limited to: the ability to make an arrest, physically wrestle a suspect following a prolonged pursuit, running over uneven terrain, chasing a suspect over many blocks or up flights of stairs while wearing duty equipment, climbing over fences, standing on a fixed post for extended periods of time, perform crowd and riot control activities, and exposure to adverse conditions and situations.
• Strength demands include constantly exerting 10 pounds, frequently exerting 20-50 pounds and occasionally may require exerting up to 150 pounds.
• Daily exposure to physical danger or abuse from suspects as well as communicable diseases.
• Seasonal exposure to extreme temperatures.
• Exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Monthly exposure to wetness and/or humidity and noise.
• Weekly exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards (e.g. Downed power lines, vehicles damaged in accidents, etc.).

Additional Information

The City of Greenville offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit the needs of our employees and their families. Read more about our organization's benefits. 01 POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS ONLY: The minimum age requirement for a sworn police officer is 21. Are you at least 21 years of age or older? YESNO 02 SWORN POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS: The South Carolina State Constitution requires that anyone holding a Police Officer position in the state be a United States Citizen. Are you a U.S. Citizen? YESNO Required Question