POLICE OFFICER

Reports to: Police Lieutenant/Sergeant

Shift: 12 hour shifts

Starting Salary: 

Why settle for being just another badge number when you can be a part of a team where your good work is valued, recognized, and appreciated?

• Certified Officers- $3,000 Signing Incentive on First Check
• Non-certified, $1,500 Signing Incentive on First Check & $1,500 After Completion of the FTO Program
• Extra Pay for College Grads with 4-Year Degree
• Extra Pay for POST Certified Candidates Based on Years of Experience 
• Peace Officer’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Georgia (POAB) 
• Take-Home Vehicle Program
• Paid Academy for Non-Certified Candidates
• Robust Pension Plan – 90% of pay after 30 years of service
• Full Benefits Include Medical, Dental & Vision
• Extra Job Opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Uniforms & Equipment
• Officers hired under the lateral entry program with 3 years or more of qualified experience will earn vacation leave at an accelerated rate.

Summary: 

The City of Decatur Police Department provides police protection through proactive patrolling, crime prevention, and investigation programs. The Police Officer protects life and property and enforces laws and ordinances. Work involves routine patrol that includes responding to emergency calls, citizen complaints, and alarms. Duties include preliminary investigations, special detail assignments, administrative duties, and other related tasks. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates practical oral and written communication skills. 
• Patrols the City to provide a visible deterrent in uniform and marked cars to enforce laws and ordinances and protect life and property. 
• Monitors commercial and residential areas for signs of criminal activity and patrols for suspicious persons or vehicles.
• Enforces traffic laws through the issuance of traffic citations and warnings. Also, it responds to calls for assistance, disturbance, and crime complaints. 
• Conducts initial investigations, gathers evidence, takes statements, and complies with relevant legal requirements. 
• Interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses following relevant legislation. 
• Attends and provides evidence in court and at other hearings. Attends community meetings to discuss crime problems. 
• May be required to perform strenuous physical activities. 
• Serves as the first responder to aid and assist victims of traffic and other accidents. 
• Protects the civil rights of persons in custody. 
• Detects impaired drivers and performs sobriety evaluations: issues citations and failure to obey the summons. 
• Enforces federal, state, and local laws by performing warrant, felony, or misdemeanor arrests.
• Enforces leash law ordinances and may serve as an Animal Control Officer. 
• Provides responsive and timely feedback on the status and progress of work to supervisors and other peers.
• Assists fire and emergency medical services in treating and transporting victims.
• Performs all other related work duties as assigned or necessary.

Competencies and Skills:

• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to complete the Department Driver Training Program and possesses the ability to drive and operate the department’s assigned vehicles and equipment safely and efficiently. 
• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, the geography of the City and the location of important buildings and areas. Must be able to pass pre-employment physical and drug screen.

Required Qualifications: 

• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age and a U.S. Citizen. 
• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s Degree preferred but not required. 
• Must have a valid State of Georgia Driver’s License (Class C) with a satisfactory motor vehicle record (M.V.R.). 

Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to lift and carry objects (10-50 lbs.), stand, sit, bend, squat, twist, crawl, climb, grasp and manipulate tools and equipment. 
• Ability to perform work in various situations and settings may include hazardous conditions.
• Must be free of any physical, emotional, or mental condition which will adversely affect the ability to perform the duties or exercise the powers of a Police Officer.

EMPLOYMENT DISQUALIFIES FOR DECATUR POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS

Specific standards and guidelines have been established to maintain an equitable standard for hiring applicants for the position of Police Officer. The following represents a minimum of these standards. Therefore, applicants for the position of Police Officer will not be considered without meeting the minimum criteria outlined below:

• No felony convictions during your lifetime. Pleas of Nolo Contendere are considered a conviction.
• No current indictments for felony offense(s).
• No more than one misdemeanor conviction lifetime and no conviction for misdemeanors involving domestic violence, violence towards or disrespect for law enforcement authorities, or sexual offenses. Pleas of Nolo Contendere are considered a conviction.
• No convictions for DUI/DWI within the past five years. No more than one conviction of DUI/DWI in a lifetime. Pleas of Nolo Contendere are considered a conviction.
• No convictions for Racing, Reckless Driving, Aggressive Driving, or Driving with a Suspended License in the past five years. Pleas of Nolo Contendere are considered a conviction.
• No convictions for Hit and Run, Homicide by Vehicle, Attempting to Elude an Officer or Habitual Violator. Pleas of Nolo Contendere are considered a conviction.
• In the past five years, there have been no more than three (3) convictions for moving traffic violations, including speeding, disregarding signs and signals, failure to maintain a lane, etc. Pleas of Nolo Contendere are considered a conviction.
• Marijuana use will be assessed in the context of the applicant’s age at the time of service, the period since use, and the frequency of use. No marijuana use will be allowed within two (2) years of the date of application.
• No other illegal drug use within five (5) years of application. Combined use of other illicit drugs besides marijuana must not exceed five (5) times in a lifetime. For this section, illegal drugs include but are not limited to cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, L.S.D., P.C.P., and the use of anabolic steroids without a prescription.
• No illegal sale of drugs.
• No discharge from any military organization is characterized as "less than honorable or dishonorable."
• Post Certification must be current and in good standing.
   
  The City of Decatur reserves the right to disqualify any candidate based on the preponderance of evidence and other information received during the background investigation process.

AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Decatur is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels and is an equal-opportunity employer. Therefore, qualified applicants are considered for employment, and employees are treated during employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.