SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; issues citations; participates in and conducts a variety of criminal investigations; makes arrests; provides support and assistance to special crime prevention and law enforcement programs; and performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of law enforcement services and activities.

Police Officer differs from the next lower level of Police Officer Recruit in that the latter works under close supervision as a trainee, has probationary status, and does not meet the requirements for APSC certification. Police Officer differs from the next higher level of Police Sergeant in that Police Sergeants have responsibility for supervising an assigned work team and regularly perform the more difficult, complex, and specialized law enforcement assignments requiring advanced training or considerable experience.

The Police Department provides quality law enforcement services to the community and assistance to citizens who request services that may be related to the well-being of life, health, and property in the community. The Police Officer contributes to Department operations by performing a full range of law enforcement duties including those related to crime prevention, protection of life and property, suppressing crime, apprehending and prosecuting offenders, regulating non-criminal conduct, and preservation of the public peace. The Police Office must perform these duties in a manner that reflects positively on the City and the Department. He/she is responsible for maintaining a level of professional expertise and image that promotes the efficient use of the resources available to the Department.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Patrols designated areas of the City in car, by foot, or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; protects real and personal property by providing security checks of residential, business, and public premises; maintains awareness of and remains alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress; issues warnings and citations.
2. Responds to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints, and related incidents; investigates complaints and takes appropriate action, which may include the use of deadly or non-deadly force; uses sound judgment under adverse, stressful conditions.
3. Conducts investigations at scenes of incidents to which summoned or incidents observed; determines what, if any crime has been committed; identifies, collects, preserves, processes, and books evidence; locates and interviews victims and witnesses; identifies and interrogates suspects.
4. Prepares and serves search and arrest warrants; apprehends and arrests offenders for crimes committed under federal, state and local laws and codes; controls and mitigates people under the influence of drugs or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations.
5. Directs traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency situations; provides traffic and crowd control at events.
6. Serves as liaison and public relations officer to the public; establishes and preserves good relationships with the general public; answers questions from the publ c concerning local and state laws, procedures, and activities of the department; makes presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of Police activities.
7. Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; may respond to requests for assistance from agencies outside the City for mutual.
8. Participates in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including firearms proficiency, defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills.
9. Performs a variety of administrative and other types of duties in support of law enforcement services, programs, and activities; attends meetings; maintains and calibrates specialized equipment including preliminary alcohol screening devices.
10. Initiates and completes reports, legal documents, and other required paperwork; prepares a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made, and unusual incidents observed; prepares investigative reports and case information.
11. Testifies in courts and at hearings; prepares and presents case evidence; responds to mandatory court calls during irregular hours.
12. Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Knowledge of:

• Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, and investigation.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws governing the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons accused of felonies, misdemeanor, and petty offenses.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
• Applicable case law including court decisions pertaining to search, seizure, and arrest.
• Court procedures and rules of evidence.
• Departmental policies and procedures, guidelines, and chain of command.
• Basic investigative techniques.
• Methods and techniques used in interviewing witnesses, victims, or suspects.
• Detection and identification of controlled substances and their effects.
• Techniques and applications of self-defense and proper use of force.
• Operational characteristics of police equipment, vehicles, and tools including firearms.
• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment.
• Principles and applications of public relations.
• Principles and practices of data collection and analysis.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Case preparation techniques.
• Basic principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Geography of the local area.
• Standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Community resources including social services available for persons in crisis situations.
• Basic crime prevention techniques and information.
• Basic problem solving techniques and methodology.
• Social, racial, and cultural makeup and geographical layout of the community.

Ability to:

Understand, interpret, apply, enforce, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

Interpret and explain City law enforcement policies and procedures.

Think clearly and act quickly in a variety of situations.

Perform a wide range of law enforcement assignments.

Effectively use and qualify with law enforcement tools and weapons including firearms, batons, defen