Lateral Police Officer Application Process

** You must be certified as a Nebraska Law Enforcement Officer

or other State law Enforcement Officer in order to apply for this position**

Certified police officers may apply with our agency at any time. Our application process will remain open year around. The actual start date of the testing process will be dependent upon many variables, including but not limited to police officer positions available, number of qualified applicants signed up, and timing with the entry level testing.

Once we initiate the testing process, all applicants will be sent a Personal History Packet. This packet will need to be fully completed and returned by the assigned due date, which will be communicated to all applicants when the packets are sent out. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule the scored interview within 2 weeks after the assigned due date of the personal history packets. The interviews will be conducted via zoom, unless all candidates are local, then we may conduct the interviews in-person.

Once the interviews have been scored, applicants will be assigned a background investigator. Upon successful completion of the background, the most qualified applicants may receive a conditional offer of employment. The offer is conditional upon successful completion of the polygraph test, as well as the medical and psychological evaluations.

If any questions, please contact Lt. Howard Banks at Hbanks@bellevue.net or 402-293-3084.

SALARY RANGE: $30.19 - $43.06 HOURLY ($62,795 - $89,564 YEARLY) 

POSITION TITLE: Lateral Police Officer (Current Certification Required)

REPORTS TO: Sergeant

SUPERVISES: Not a supervisory position

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for performing general Police services, including protection of lives and property, enforcement of laws, investigation of crimes, and providing general assistance to the public. A high degree of independence and initiative are exercised while performing these duties in accordance with Department policies and procedures, City Ordinances, and State Laws.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patrols assigned areas of the City on foot, bicycle, or motor vehicle to maintain the general order and peace; to deter, prevent, and discover the commission of crime; and to enforce traffic and parking laws and regulations.

Responds to crimes in progress, accidents, natural disasters, fires, citizen complaints and other calls for the benefit of the citizens of the City. 

Conducts security checks in designated patrol area of businesses, residences, parks, and other public properties.

Takes appropriate action at emergency, accident, and crime scenes; identifies, gathers, and secures evidence; aids victims or injured persons; identifies and interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects; and photographs, sketches, or draws diagrams of the scenes.

Prepares accurate and timely incident and other reports as needed.

Assists and cooperates with Department specialists and other law enforcement personnel and agencies as needed.

Identifies, pursues, and arrests suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts; books arrestees/prisoners.

Conducts searches of persons, vehicles, residences, or open spaces.

Serves warrants.

Carries, maintains, and uses firearms or other assigned law enforcement equipment, such as

batons, chemical deterrents and tasers.

Renders credible testimony in a court of law.

Renders aid as a first responder to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries or illness. Investigates criminal and non-criminal incidents, including collection, preservation and analysis of evidence; and preparation of related investigative and other reports. Works with attorneys and other law enforcement personnel to prepare court cases.

Performs assignment in any Division as directed.

Provides citizens of the City with assistance as needed.

Performs such other duties as are regularly assigned to Bellevue Police Officers.

*Attendance at the assigned work location is an essential function.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY:

Knowledge of the modern methods and practices of Police patrol, criminal investigation and identification, and administration.

Knowledge of pertinent Federal and State Laws and City Ordinances, particularly with reference to the apprehension, arrest, and prosecution of law violators, and the admissibility of evidence.

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the Police Department.

Knowledge of the geographical boundaries and streets of the City of Bellevue, including locations of major businesses, apartment complexes, parks, and other public areas.

Ability to skillfully interview or interrogate victims, witnesses, suspects, and others.

Ability to mediate situations; using the following skills as needed: active listening, needs assessment, negotiation, and consensus-building.

Ability to exercise a high degree of interpersonal insight, to include: recognizing and respecting the needs of others; recognizing and evaluating the impact of self and decisions on others; developing and maintaining trust with peers, superiors, and the public; recognizing and responding positively to diversity issues. 

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with co-workers, superiors, other law enforcement personnel and criminal justice officials, and the public.

Ability to think critically, analyzing situations quickly and objectively, using logical and creative thought processes, to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action that adhere to written policies, procedures, rules, regulations and/or oral instructions, with due regard to the surrounding hazards and particular circumstances.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making in performing all duties and assignments, balancing the relative risks and benefits of potential actions and making a choice that adheres to Department values and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.

Ability to effectively and clearly express and present information orally, to include: articulating ideas and concerns so that others understand them, presenting the message appropriately to suit the persons involved, being persuasive and calm with argumentative individuals, displaying confidence, and presenting clear testimony in court.

Ability to effectively and accurately express ideas and information through written means, to include: preparing concise and clear reports, using correct grammar, differentiating facts from opinions, completing requisite research, obtaining feedback, and proofreading the finished product.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and effectively in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Ability to operate Police equipment, such as radio, Police radar, preliminary breath test analyzers, handcuffs, batons, etc.

Ability to physically protect self and others in threatening and stressful situations, including the ability to pursue, subdue, and control resisting individuals, using techniques approved by the Department.

Ability to use a personal computer, the most common office software programs, Police software programs and data bases, and to operate a mobile data computer terminal.

Ability to project a professional Police presence, in appearance and actions, at all times while on duty and acting as a Police Officer.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work duties may be performed indoors or outdoors, day or night, and/or during inclement weather. Work duties may also require the ability to perform an extensive variety of physical activities, including but not limited to the following:

Performance of outlined physical standards approved by the Department while wearing protective equipment, such as ballistic vest and duty belt.

Sufficient muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and agility to be capable of defense from physical attack and be able to apply control holds and handcuffs to passive or resisting persons.

Engaging in foot pursuits (running and jumping) to apprehend a person, which may include proceeding over uneven ground, up and down stairs or fire escapes, over fences, and on elevated surfaces.

Jumping across obstacles during a pursuit.

Possess sufficient strength to be able to lift, carry or drag injured or passively resisting persons.

Possess sufficient strength and coordination to repeatedly fire handguns, shotguns and rifles with both the dominant and non-dominant hands.

Must be capable of prolonged sitting, standing or walking for periods occasionally exceeding two hours.

Must be able to drive an emergency vehicle,

Administer first-aid,

Perform rescue operations,

Lift and carry 0-70 lbs.

Direct traffic, when necessary,

Subdue prisoners,

Pursue suspects, engaging in physical confrontation,

Sitting, standing, and kneeling,

Running,

Walking rough terrain,

Bending, stooping, crouching or crawling,

Pushing or pulling,

Gripping with hands and fingers,

Climbing stairs and ladders,

Auditory sufficiency to hear voice conversation and various alarms,

Color identification,

Close, far, night and side vision (depth perception),

Maintaining balance,

Finger dexterity,

Speaking clearly.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSES:

A Police Officer must meet the following criteria:

(1) Twenty-one years of age,

(2) Citizen of the United States,

(3) Standard high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (GED),

(4) Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and maintain throughout the course of employment.

(5) Ability to read, write, and understand the English language at the eleventh grade level, as demonstrated by the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), and

(6) Possess good character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.

Certification as a Nebraska law enforcement Officer or other State law enforcement officer.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Police work is performed indoors and outdoors and requires a variety of physical activities. While performing job duties outside, Officers face a wide range of weather conditions including temperature extremes (below 0 - 100 degrees), humidity, rain, sleet, hail, snow, ice, dust, smog, smoke, wind, pollen, darkness, and rapid environmental change. Officers must wear ballistic body armor and utility belts with heavy Police equipment that increases work difficulties in weather extremes. Many job duties are performed while inside a vehicle for long periods of time.

Locations where essential Police services are provided may include the following environmental hazards: dust, noxious odors, drug paraphernalia, human/animal waste, unsafe construction, confined spaces, air-borne pathogens, low/no light, infectious disease, unsanitary conditions, noise, fire, pollen, debris, crowded conditions.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the City.

Revised 09/2012

Revised/Approved 1/23/14

*Updated 1/2017

The City of Bellevue is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability. If specific accommodations are needed in order to apply for this position, please contact the Personnel Office at (402)293-3019.