Law Enforcement Deputy

Deputy Law Enforcement Officer

The duties of a deputy are to enforce laws and ordinances related to protecting the general public and property to enhance the quality of life for the citizens and visitors within the county. A deputy is expected to provide law enforcement protection and services, including conducting criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, and general law enforcement services. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

Employees in this classification perform work in varied law enforcement assignments, including but not necessarily limited to, motorized patrol, traffic control and enforcement, preliminary and follow-up investigation at crime scenes, courthouse and port security, vessel patrol, scuba diving, K-9 handling, serving writs, other court process actions, and assistance in public safety education and community service programs. Work involves an element of personal danger and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise independent discretion in addressing emergency situations. Work assignments and instructions are received from an administrative superior who reviews work methods and results through observation, reports and conferences. Incumbents perform essential class functions as outlined herein according to functional area of assignment. Performs related work as directed.

This position is essential and is required to report to duty before, during, and immediately after a civil emergency. This is a sworn corrections position. You must be a certified corrections officer in the state of Florida in order to apply.

Essential responsibilities include:

• Protecting life and property through the enforcement of laws and regulations
• Proactively patrolling assigned areas to assure the quality of life
• Patrolling assigned area on foot, by motorcycle, by boat, by aircraft, by bicycle, in patrol car, or unmarked car to enforce laws, prevent crimes, investigate crimes, maintain order, and keep the peace
• Responding to 911 dispatched calls and/or citizens' requests for law enforcement services
• Operating a law enforcement vehicle in emergency conditions day or night, exceeding posted speed limits, in traffic and/or in unsafe road conditions due to inclement weather
• Having the ability to load, unload, and discharge a firearm, including handguns, shotguns, rifles, or tasers, under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) standards
• Effectively communicating with citizens, including the elderly and juveniles
• Exercising independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to stop suspicious vehicles and persons, when to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree, per policy
• Performing thorough searches of subjects, vehicles, buildings, outdoor landscape, per policy, which may involve frisking and detecting objects
• Locating, searching, and detaining suspects following agency-approved procedures by using handcuffs and other restraints as outlined by policy
• Ability to subdue a resisting subject using physical maneuvers, whether hands or feet, or other approved weapons, per agency policy
• Processing and transporting prisoners using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints per agency policy, which may include taking their photographs and obtaining a legible set of inked fingerprint impressions
• Conducting visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time
• Pursuing fleeing suspects and performing rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicles; lifting, carrying, and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling oneself over obstacles, jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches, and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers
• Reading and comprehending legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits, and warrants. Preparing investigative and other reports using appropriate grammar and mathematical computations
• Performing rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, including directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging, and carrying people away from dangerous situations and securing and evacuating people from particular areas. Performing first aid and providing other assistance to accident and other victims
• Operating a respirator in situations in which chemical munitions are being deployed
• Extinguishing small fires by using a fire extinguisher and other appropriate means
• Interviewing and questioning victims, witnesses, and suspects. Gathering and preserving evidence and information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers
• Detecting and collecting evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions and that indicate the presence of dangerous conditions
• Investigating causes and results of incidents
• Investigating illegal or suspicious activities such as suspicious persons, establishments, and disturbances
• Directing and controlling traffic
• Issuing written citations for traffic violations
• Inspecting public establishments, requiring licenses to ensure compliance with rules and regulations
• Operating law enforcement communication and computer equipment to obtain, disseminate, and report information
• Communicating effectively over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications
• Communicating with the public to discuss crime prevention activities and neighborhood problems
• Writing detailed incident, investigation, activity, and other reports
• Testifying in court to present evidence by describing conditions, situations, and actions. Demonstrating effective communication skills in court and other formal settings
• Performing court security activities by maintaining law and order in and around the courtroom, ensuring the protection and safety of persons in and around the courtroom, and expediting courtroom proceedings by preparing the courtroom, ensuring the prisoner's prompt appearance in court, and following directives from the judge
• Performing court process actions, including but not limited to, serving and accounting for ex parte injunctions, eviction notices, enforceable writs and other process actions within the area of assignment
• When designated, training, caring for, and using a K-9 dog in patrol and other assignments
• Other duties as may be assigned
• May be subject to random drug testing

Minimum requirements include:

• Passing a comprehensive background/character investigation, medical examination, drug screening, and polygraph examination; fingerprinting will be required

Qualifications include:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma required
• Completion of the Minimum Standards courses as set forth by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement required
• If applicant served in the military, an honorable discharge is required
• Possession of valid Florida driver's license and maintenance of a clean driving record required
• Eligible to obtain Florida Law Enforcement Certification required
• Enrolled in or completed a Criminal Justice Standards & Training Centers (CJSTC) Law Enforcement Academy required
• Knowledge of federal, state, and county laws and regulations
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action to be taken
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully and with respect for the rights of others
• Ability to learn the County's geography and physical and social characteristics
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Ability to read well and to communicate effectively, in writing and orally
• Ability to meet physical requirements and standards
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation
• Ability to stay centered when challenged
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks

Physical demands include:

• Intermittent performance of extremely physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, climbing, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of extremely heavy objects (150+ pounds), such as in the event of chasing and subduing a detainee resisting control
• Tasks may involve standing, sitting or walking for long periods of time
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus