Transit Police Sergeant

About the role

Supervises and performs field, traffic, investigative and other police duties while directing, and managing Transit Police Officers in the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations and provides technical assistance to subordinates and department staff. This is an armed sworn classification. Some assignments may be assigned to coordinate recruitment activities focusing primarily on recruiting Police Officers or assisting in facilitating training programs. May be assigned to training functions depending on the needs of the department.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs and reviews staff and activities during an assigned shift or in an assigned function
• Assists in developing goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards
• Implements and enforces ordinances, rules and regulations to meet and further departmental goals
• Oversees and assists subordinates in the completion of preliminary investigations of crimes committed
• Works closely with other local, state and federal agencies
• Performs duties and responsibilities consistent with the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
• Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to subordinates
• Monitors the training and professional development of assigned staff
• Ensures that subordinates respond to calls for service
• Performs varied police duties relating to the enforcement of law, investigation and prevention of crime, patrol, traffic control and community information
• Presents sworn testimony in court
• Provides assistance to Metro staff and Department of Public Safety staff
• Prepares and reviews a variety of reports, records, correspondence and other written materials
• Represents the agency in meetings with other law enforcement agencies, professional, business and community organizations and the public
• Handles patron inquiries and community complaints
• Provides training to newly hired Officers
• Conducts preliminary and follow up investigations
• Interviews witnesses and suspects to obtain information for reports and investigations
• Monitors developments related to community public safety procedures, techniques and equipment; recommends policy, procedural and equipment improvements

Recruiting

• Assists in recruitment, testing, hiring, and training of assigned personnel
• Develops recruitment strategies and collaborates with other departments involved in the hiring process to plan and organize recruitments in the Police Department
• Oversees recruiting outreach efforts to expand and attract a diverse pool of Police Department applicants
• Provides guidance and support to new officers during the onboarding process

Training

• Plans, develops and facilitates training programs in accordance with Metro's strategic goals and all applicable rules and regulations
• Provides classroom training to new officers to ensure they are adequately trained and prepared for their roles
• Delivers refresher and compliance training to existing officers
• Assesses and tracks the progress of trainees, and provides feedback to enhance performance and development

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Public Administration or a related field

Experience: Two years of relevant experience performing peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Intermediate Certificate
• Must remain firearm qualified
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver License and have a satisfactory driving record
• Must pass enhanced background investigation, psychological evaluation, and medical examination
• Positions in this job classification are considered safety-sensitive and subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing, under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, techniques and equipment for law enforcement services and activities
• Supervisory principles and practices
• Applicable local, State and Federal laws, codes, ordinances and regulations and case law
• Rules of evidence
• Laws of arrest and the elements of a crime
• Techniques in training, instructing and evaluating subordinate work performance
• Recruiting theories, principles and practices
• Principles, techniques and methods used in the police background investigation process
• Research and report preparation methods
• Theories, principles, and practices of training program development

Skill in:

• Training and motivating personnel
• Implementing and interpreting policies, procedures, goals, objectives and work standards
• Analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives and recommending solutions
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Writing clear and concise reports
• Planning and facilitating training sessions

Ability to:

• Understand and comply with complex policies and procedures
• Interact effectively and courteously with employees and the public
• Assist in directing emergency operations efficiently and effectively
• Prepare clear and effective written correspondence, reports, policies and other written materials
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Handle firearms in a safe and proper manner
• Exercise independent judgment within procedural and legal guidelines

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen
• High noise environment
• Exposure to hostile and armed criminal suspects
• Exposure to physical and verbal abuse by clients/customers and/or general public
• Exposure to outdoor weather including extreme heat, cold, dampness and/or humidity
• Work irregular hours, split shifts, weekends, holidays, or 24-hour-a-day on-call assignments
• Local travel

Physical Effort Required

• Standing
• Walking
• Lifting or carrying
• Crawling, crouching, squatting, stooping and/or kneeling
• Climbing (e.g., ladders, scaffolds, stairs, poles, into vehicles, etc.)
• Pushing and/or pulling
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.