Police Officer

Responsible for performing routine, non-routine and emergency law enforcement work including patrolling the city, responding to service calls, and performing investigations.  An employee in this class performs responsible protective service work involving a variety of general or support duty police assignments as a member of the City’s Police Department. Work includes routine patrol, traffic accident, criminal investigation, police vehicle maintenance, serving criminal papers, traffic law enforcement, and responding to domestic disputes. This employee is highly visible in crime areas and must be aggressive in preventing crime. Employees are subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work including the potential for physical harm. Work is performed under the immediate supervision of the Patrol Sergeant and is evaluated for effectiveness, visibility, compliance with standards, public support, and attainment of performance objectives.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Patrols high and low crime areas; talks to people in the community; checks security of buildings and residences; and apprehends offenders.
• Investigates traffic accidents; uses measurement devices and eyewitness accounts to determine violators; assists motorists in filling out or exchanging insurance information.
• Conducts pre-tour duty inspections of vehicles and equipment to ensure readiness with fuel, tire air pressure, warning sirens and lights and all other support equipment is operational.
• Serves criminal papers; locates people under indictment; serves warrants, orders for arrest, and criminal summons.
• Observes and follows people violating traffic laws, vehicle registration and inspection laws, and other traffic offenses; and enforces speed limits.
• Conducts criminal investigations by gathering information, processing crime scenes, and interviewing witnesses.
• Testifies in Court.
• Transports arrested personnel to jail.
• Provides field training and guidance in police work to subordinate police officers.
• Responds to calls ranging from domestic disturbances, larcenies, accidents, robberies, fights, shootings etc.; and attempts to resolve conflicts by recommending solutions.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma: prior experience in law enforcement is desired; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid Driver’s License to operate a motor vehicle. Requirements may exist at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.
• Possess a General or Probationary Law Enforcement Certificate awarded by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission.
• Must meet and maintain all minimum and local training and education requirements for the position and maintain sufficient physical and mental conditioning to perform the work of a police officer.

Additional Considerations:

• Must meet “Achieved Standards” or better on most recent annual evaluation.
• All college degrees must be conferred by a Regionally Accredited Educational Institution.
• Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), Mandatory In-service Training, and Roll Call Training do not satisfy the training requirements for career progression.
• LEO Service is defined as any state, county, municipal, or company police service as recognized by North Carolina Criminal Justice, Training and Standards Commission.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of departmental standard operating policies and procedures, and federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of practices, materials, techniques, and equipment pertinent to job assignment.
• Knowledge of the City’s geography and location of streets, homes, businesses, and buildings.
• Knowledge of criminal human behavior when confronted while stressed.
• Knowledge of effective communication practices including focused listening.
• Knowledge of English grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
• Knowledge of the operation and uses of personal computers including word processing and database software.
• Skills in the use of firearms and other authorized law enforcement equipment.
• Ability and willingness to act quickly and properly in emergency situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, and the public.
• Ability to express thoughts clearly both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work varied shifts and assignments including undercover activity.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision and as a member of a team.
• Ability to take charge of emergency situations until relieved by a law enforcement superior.
• Ability to develop a positive public image, exercise judgment in all situations, and demonstrate a positive attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work in this classification is defined as heavy work requiring the physical exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects. When apprehending suspects who resist arrest, work is deemed heavy work requiring the exertion of 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Work requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, handling and repetitive motions. Work requires dexterity in the hands for typing and operation of standard office equipment and visual acuity is necessary to read handwritten and typewritten materials and to operate a computer terminal. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection of products, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities. Focused concentration for extended periods of time causing fatigue without periodic breaks is an occupational hazard. Employees must demonstrate continual physical fitness to withstand the rigors of law enforcement officer and physical confrontation with assailants and/or foot chases for apprehensions. Employees may be required to use deadly force to subdue an assailant or to protect themselves or others.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in both inside and outside working conditions in all types of weather from extremes of cold and heat to rain/snow/ice. Employees may be exposed to noise which would cause the worker to shout to be heard above the ambient noise level; hazards including proximity to moving equipment; and atmospheric conditions which may affect the respiratory system. Work environment often includes persons with criminal records with little to no respect for law enforcement. Precautions are required to minimize their exposure to blood-borne pathogens, communicable diseases, and bodily harm.