Police Officer - POST Certified

Purpose of Job

Perform protective service work under general direction and supervision.

Essential Job Duties

• Patrols, by vehicle or foot, the streets of the city, business establishments, and residential areas to observe for traffic violations, safety hazards, and suspicious or criminal activity.
• Investigates accident scenes involving persons or property.
• Responds to calls for service regarding property theft, domestic disputes, vandalism, homicides, suicides, prowlers, assaults, burglaries, rapes, shootings, etc. and resolves calls in accordance with state and federal law, local ordinance, and/or departmental policy.
• Issues citations for traffic and parking violations.
• Serves warrants and makes arrests.
• Investigates suspected crimes and pursues appropriate course(s) of action.
• Maintains appropriate records regarding warrants, investigations, arrests, etc.
• Testifies in court and at various legal proceedings.
  
  

Other Job Duties

• Directs and controls traffic as needed.
• Assists motorists with various activities including stalled vehicles.
• Serve as police escort for security reasons or for funerals.
• Operate and maintain all law enforcement equipment.
• Assist other departments or agencies with law enforcement activities.
• Attends annual and specialized training classes.
• Performs other related tasks as required.
  
  

Primary Job Challenges

• Performing potentially dangerous protective service work in all weather conditions.
• Responding to high-stress situations and communicating with members of the public during traumatic, tense, and emotional moments.
• Using judgment to resolve disputes, investigate suspected crimes, and deter and prevent crime.
• Working for a public safety agency that operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to include weekends, holidays, and being subject to call out for special circumstances.
  
  

Equipment Operated

• Law enforcement equipment including, but not limited to, assorted firearms, electronic control devices, OC spray or similar subject/crowd control spray, radio and communication equipment, radar equipment, measuring device, handcuffs, baton, riot control equipment, finger printing equipment, camera, and rubber gloves.
• Variety of office equipment including telephones, calculator, computer, printer, and copier.
• Automobile equipped with emergency equipment, mobile data terminal, and two-way radio.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the geographic area of the city.
• Knowledge of the city's emergency services provisions.
• Knowledge of city ordinances, state laws and federal laws.
• Knowledge of the court system and presentation of evidence in court proceedings.
• Knowledge of modern police methods, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the police department.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations and determine the proper course of action.
• Ability to ascertain facts by personal contact, observation, and the examination of records.
• Ability to explain and interpret provisions of laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Ability to enforce laws firmly, tactfully, and with respect to the rights of others.
• Ability to operate all law enforcement equipment required in the performance of the job.
• Ability to operate a firearm accurately.
• Ability to operate police vehicles.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to run and/or lift light or heavy objects for short periods of time.
• Ability to defend oneself using an objectively reasonable amount of necessary force to accomplish a lawful objective.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees and the public.
  
  

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Employee will work indoors and outdoors with the possibility of being exposed to adverse weather conditions and hazardous or extremely dangerous situations.
• Employee may be required to sit, run, jump, bend, stoop, climb, crawl, lift and carry heavy objects and/or persons. The demands of the position may be very stressful, both physically and mentally.
• Employee will be subject to call out.
  
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience: High school diploma, some experience in police work desirable, or a combination of education and experience equivalent to the required knowledge and abilities.

Must meet the following qualifications as specified in TCA 38-8-106:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances, and not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States.
• Have his/her fingerprints on file with the Tennessee Bureau of investigation.
• Have good moral character as determined by a thorough investigation conducted by the city.
• Be free of all apparent mental disorders as determined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-II) of the American Psychiatric Association. Applicants must be certified as meeting these criteria by a qualified professional in the psychiatric or psychological fields.
  
  

Required Certifications/Licenses: Must have completed a POST-approved law enforcement training academy with a satisfactory score in all fields including firearms qualifications, physical training, and defensive techniques. Must have or be able to obtain POST-certification in the State of Tennessee.

Must possess a valid Class D driver license issued by the State of Tennessee. Must pass a thorough background investigation and polygraph examination. Must also pass a drug screen, psychological evaluation, physical agility test, and physical examination based on the essential functions of the job given by the city’s designated physician.