Police Officer

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; to conduct and participate in general investigations of crimes, accidents, and cases; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; to serve as Patrol Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer, TAC Team Officer, K-9 Officer, Traffic Officer, or School Resource Officer; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Department.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises no supervision.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order; discover and prevent the commission of crimes; check property for physical security.

Respond to general public service calls and complaints including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property control, automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanor and felony incidents.

Investigate crimes and suspicious circumstances; collect, process, photograph and present evidence including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence; interview victims, complainants and witnesses; identify and interrogate suspects; apprehend and arrest offenders; testify and present evidence in court.

Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.

Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public; take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.

Take custody of lost and found property.

Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed.

Book prisoners in the City jail; assist in the custody, care, and welfare of prisoners; transport prisoners.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES (Cont.)

Perform general police work in the protection of life and liberty.

Prevent crime; arrest criminals; enforce local and State laws.

Patrol designated areas of the City.

Inspect, report, and correct conditions which may lead to criminal activity or pose a societal problem.

Provide the public with safety information; give advice on laws or ordinances.

Prepare written reports on criminal matters or civil problems.

Perform criminal investigations.

Perform specialized duties requiring application of abilities and knowledge acquired through experience.

Patrol a designated area of the City in a police traffic vehicle, as assigned.

Enforce City, State, and Federal laws, especially those pertaining to traffic related issues.

Perform drunk driving and commercial vehicle checkpoints.

Furnish information and directions to the public.

Participate in training courses and programs.

When assigned to Detective:

Perform detailed investigations into all assigned criminal matters.

Investigate the identification of criminals and their prosecution.

Conduct interviews of suspects, witnesses, and victims.

Prepare supplemental reports for criminal matters.

File cases with the Deputy District Attorney's Office.

Pick up and transport all paperwork and files to the Deputy District Attorney's Office.

Serve subpoenas.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

When assigned to Field Training Officer:

Provide continual training and supervision to new Police Officers.

Perform continual training exercises to maintain a constant level of proficiency.

Provide verbal information and written evaluations regarding the status of new Officers in training.

Coordinate the activities of the Field Training Officer Program with other Field Training Officers.

When assigned to TAC Officer:

Resolve high risk or high threat situations that involve hostile criminals.

Perform continual training with other TAC Officers in order to maintain a high level of competence and effectiveness.

Perform any or all other duties and responsibilities of Patrol Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer, K-9 Officer, or Traffic Officer as assigned.

When assigned to K-9 Officer:

Perform specialized duties involving a police canine.

Assume responsibility for the effective use and deployment of police canine during narcotics searches, contraband searches, and searches for suspects involved in crimes.

Perform continual training in order to maintain a high level of effectiveness with the police canine.

When assigned to School Resource Officer:

Serve as liaison between the Rock Springs Police Department and the School District.

Enforce State laws and City ordinances within the schools.

Maintain a working knowledge of School District policies and regulations, State laws for education, State and Federal special education laws, and rules and regulations for individual schools.

Establish rapport with and serve as a resource to School District administrators, staff, students, parents, and supporting agencies.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Modern police methods and procedures related to patrol, apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, traffic control, and investigation and identification techniques.

Modern investigative methods including interviewing and interrogation techniques.

Law enforcement theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.

Local geography, City streets, public buildings, and businesses.

Recent court decisions and how they affect department and division operations.

Self defense tactics.

Functions and objectives of Federal, State, and other local law enforcement agencies.

Basic principles of criminal law.

Principles and practices of community policing.

Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to:

Operate firearms and other modern police equipment.

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.

Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

Successfully complete P.O.S.T. training for entry level Police Officers.

Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations particularly with reference to apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, evidence and records maintenance, and traffic control.

Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate and use facts and evidence.

Ability to:

Interpret and explain City and Department policies and procedures.

Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places.

Prepare clear and concise reports.

Analyze situations quickly and objectively, and determine proper course of action.

Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.

Meet and deal with the public tactfully and effectively.

Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.

Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience:

One year of experience working with the public.

Training:

Equivalent to a high school diploma supplemented by completion of P.O.S.T. Academy course of study.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 100 lbs.; exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining work space, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations; availability for shift work, on-call, and stand-by.