Police Officer

Fulltime Police Officer - Traditional and Lateral Candidates:
The City of Inver Grove Heights seeks applicants for current and future Police Officer vacancies.  Full-time benefited position(s) with incentives for lateral hires such as expedited field training, higher starting pay* and leave accruals.  Hiring Range: $39.79/hr. - *$45.57/hr. (top of full range is $50.18/hr.). Educational Incentive pay for post-secondary degrees of up to 9%, after 3 years of employment.  Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and this posting will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied.

Note:  If you have applied for a Police Officer position with Inver Grove Heights in the past 24 months, you are not eligible to apply at this time.
 
Traditional qualifications:  MN POST Peace Officer Licensure; A.A. Degree in Criminal Justice or closely related area; valid driver's license; clean background and physical ability to perform the duties.  
 
Lateral consideration - additional qualifications:  Current sworn law enforcement officer who has completed the probationary period with a U.S. Agency; POST licensure; Weapons Qualification; Use of Force; and 1st Responder.  (For Lateral consideration, please make sure to include where you are currently working and how long you have been there, in both the employment portion of the application and in your response to the supplemental questions.)

Job Summary:  Under the direction of a Sergeant, the Police Officer is responsible for patrolling portions of the City and providing public safety and order through patrol efforts, prevention efforts, community policing, enforcement actions and responding to calls for service/incidents to protect and serve the citizens in the City of Inver Grove Heights.Patrols assigned portions of the City enforcing all laws, codes and ordinances.

• Enforces traffic laws
• Monitors crime trends and patrols high crime areas accordingly.
• Provides a community presence and monitors and investigates any suspicious activity.
• Patrols city parks, responds to public complaints regarding neighborhoods and traffic.
• Assists other law enforcement agencies in pursuit of fleeing suspects/vehicles.

Responds to calls for service and responding to 911 calls including domestic disputes, medical calls, robberies, burglaries, deaths, assaults, thefts, property damage, arson and fire calls, vehicle accidents, mental health calls, DNR complaints, ordinance complaints, bomb threats, custody issues, etc.
Investigates all self-initiated and dispatched incidents.  Performs such related duties as:

• Investigates accidents and determines cause and decides if arrests are warranted
• Writes traffic citations for traffic violations
• Decides how to handle accidents involving potentially hazardous materials.
• Takes photographs of crime scenes, collects evidence, interviews and obtains statements from suspects/witnesses/victims.
• Determines probable cause for charges.
• Collaborates with other outside agencies for further investigation.
• Conducts follow up investigation activities on all open cases.

Performs duties associated with community policing to develop and foster relationships and partnerships within the community and local businesses.  Examples include such representative tasks as:

• Conducts resident and business checks.
• Conducts bike safety programs, car seat checks, and vehicle unlocks.
• Participates in community events (i.e. polar plunge, IGH Days, etc.)
• Conducts tours of police department for scouts and community groups.
• Provides escorts for events within the City.

Writes up all incident reports, state reports, and police reports in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

Makes arrests during crimes in progress, after the fact crimes, serves warrants and court orders, charges suspects for petty misdemeanors/misdemeanors/gross misdemeanors/felonies through issuing citations/formal complaints/juvenile referrals.
 
Prepares for and testifies in court ensuring a clear and articulation of testimony and presentation of cases.
 
Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.  Minimum Requirements:  An Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice or closely related area; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  Requires a valid driver's license in the State of MN (if moving here from another state, must obtain a MN D.L. within 90 days).  P.O.S.T licensure.  Weapons Qualification.  Use of Force and 1st Responder Certification. Other certifications may be required by the City after employment.

Additional qualifications for Lateral Consideration:  Current sworn law enforcement officer who has completed the probationary period with a U.S. Agency.Essential Knowledge And Specialized Subject Knowledge Required To Perform The Essential Functions Of The Job:

• City administrative policies, procedures and administrative practices.
• Care and use of firearms and use of force techniques.
• Organizational, policies, rules, regulations, procedures, and computer systems/applications utilized by the City and Department.
• Modern police methods and procedures including investigative techniques, rules of gathering evidence, rules of evidence preservation, interview techniques, report writing, and documentation.
• Local, State, and Federal criminal, civil and related laws, ordinances, and codes. 
• Knowledge of court system processes and procedures.
• Street and highway system, geography of the City, and the location of buildings and areas requiring special law enforcement service. 

Essential Skills Necessary To Perform The Work:

•  Decision making skills in interpreting, applying police principles, practices, and procedures to the solution of law enforcement problems and situations.
• Dealing tactfully but firmly with offenders, suspects, witnesses, victims.
• Investigative techniques used in data collection, analysis and preservation.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, department heads, officials, other law enforcement agencies, and the public.
• Expressing self clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Following proper safety procedures and law enforcement practices, tactics and techniques.
• First responder techniques and procedures.
• Enforcing and patrolling assigned areas of the City to enforce laws and provide a police presence.
• Using firearms and defensive tactics and techniques.
• Operation of computers, printers, copiers and fax machines and squad equipment/devices.
• Preparing investigative and incident reports.

 Work Environment:
Driving in extreme weather conditions, working around traffic on roadways; working under time pressure constraints; stress and risks associated with potential life-threatening situations; exposure to hazardous chemicals, sharps, bodily fluids, and high-speed driving.  Work requires constant attention to physical safety, safety procedures, proper law enforcement practices and techniques.
 
Physical Job Requirements:
Employee is required to frequently stand, walk and sit, reach with hands and arms, use hands/fingers dexterously; occasionally climb, stoop, and crawl; and continuously talk, listen and hear.  Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Salary : $40 - $50