Police Officer

Description: General Statement of DutiesPerforms general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property in the City.
Distinguishing Features of the ClassAn employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties. Work includes patrolling the City during an assigned shift in a police car or on foot; preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; and executing related assignments. Employees must exercise judgment, initiative, and calm control when performing duties; more difficult problems are normally carried out under the direction of or in conjunction with a Shift Supervisor. Work involves frequent public contact which requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness. Work is performed in accordance with Departmental policy and State and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from superior officers.Employees are subject to hazards associated with law enforcement work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as dangerous persons, loud noises, and hazardous spills with fumes, oils, gases, or flammable liquids. Work is subject to the final OSHA standards on bloodborne pathogens. Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated through observation, monitoring radio traffic, discussion, and review of reports for adherence to laws, Department procedures, and proper judgment.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Patrols streets in a police car or on foot; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions, may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citation; directs traffic and participates in other emergency operation activities; assists stranded motorists; gives information and directions to visitors and the general public.
• Performs investigations of accidents or possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering physical evidence; performs investigative tasks, arrests and processes criminal suspects; presents findings in court.
• Issues citations for violation of traffic regulations, serves warrants; apprehends and processes criminal suspects and transports to magistrate and/or City detention facilities.
• Regulates and directs vehicular traffic at busy times at local schools and when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require.
• Operates a two-way radio to receive instructions and information or to report information to police headquarters; maintains vehicle, weapons and other equipment in standards working order.
• Prepares records and reports of activities.
• Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; serves papers as needed.
• Attends training to increase skills and maintain certifications.

Additional Job Duties

Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements: Recruitment and Selection GuidelinesKnowledges, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of State and federal laws, local ordinances and policies of the Police Department, especially relating to search and seizure, traffic control, pursuit, and arrest.
• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
• Some knowledge of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self defense tactics.
• Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and other public officials.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, hearing, kneeling, reaching, feeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, crawling, fingering, and performing repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium to heavy work exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally; 20 to 50 pounds frequently; and 10 pounds constantly.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle, perform visual inspections, distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol, to maintain records and document findings, and to use a computer.

Desirable Experience and Education

• Graduation from high school and completion of basic law enforcement training; possession of a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license and have completed at least the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission for certified law enforcement officers.