Entry Level Police Officer 71st Academy

Description

This position is a municipal police officer with a full-service, community-oriented police department. The applicant will conduct law enforcement and peacekeeping activities. The applicant establishes strong involvement with the community, using problem-solving to address issues of concern. The person in this position is responsible for crime prevention and repression, traffic law enforcement, protective patrol services, arbitration in the neighborhood and family disputes, apprehension and arrest (or citation or warning) of criminal law violators, and recovery of stolen property. Training is typically provided during normal work hours, Monday-Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. - 4 : 00 p.m. Training scheduling may include evenings, weekends, and holidays on an as-needed basis. Once trained, normal work hours are based on an 11.5-hour day with the officer being off every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regular scheduling may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Example of Duties

The following duties are considered essential for this job classification.

• Patrol the assigned area of the city in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot
• Enforce local, State, and Federal laws
• Respond to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other required emergencies
• Prepare reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed
• Conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths
• Make arrests
• Interrogate suspects and interview victims, complainants and witnesses
• Coordinate and conduct detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations
• Testify and present evidence in court
• Provide backup assistance for other officers and personnel
• Collect, preserve, and maintain evidence, found property, and property for safekeeping
• Assist and advise motorists and enforce traffic safety laws by issuing citations and warnings
• Search, fingerprint, and transport prisoners
• Respond to demonstrations, riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects, and other extremely hazardous situations
• Maintain contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the public
• Serve warrants and subpoenas
• Observe, monitor, direct, and control routine and unusual traffic conditions
• Check buildings for physical security
• Administer first aid.

In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties Section, each employee in this classification may perform the following duties.Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

Perform undercover and surveillance activities

Develop and maintain good relationships with informants and contacts, which may be helpful in criminal investigations

Prepare search and arrest warrants

Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses

Make presentations to citizens and groups

Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties

May serve as a member of a Special Response Team

May serve as Field Training Officer, supervising and training new personnel

Coordinate departmental training programs

Prepare, submit, and administer grants

Conduct specialized crime prevention programs

Seize assets through the preparation and service of asset seizure documentation

Provide training for department personnel in such areas as defensive tactics, use of firearms, defensive driving, crowd control, use of chemical agents, and other specialized functions

Collect, analyze, and disseminate criminal street gang information

Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.

Work is performed independently in accordance with departmental policies, rules, standard practice, and established precedents. The applicants work under infrequent supervision. Deviations from policy are normally referred to the next higher command level; however, the applicant may have to evaluate and initiate action if command-level direction is not available. Work involves an element of personal danger and the authority to use deadly force as necessary.

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED

United States citizenship or a permanent legal resident who is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and has applied for citizenship. This is outlined in COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) 12.04.01.04.

Must be 21 years of age by graduation from the Academy

Possess physical ability to pass the agility components of the selection process

Be able to successfully complete a written examination

Possess physical and mental ability to meet medical, drug, and psychological screening requirements

Possess an excellent moral character and background that will withstand a comprehensive background investigation, and subsequent polygraph(s)

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND / OR LICENSES :

Possess a valid Driver's License (at least equivalent to Maryland Class C)

Possess the ability to receive certification as a police officer from the Maryland Police Training Commission

OTHER REQUIREMENTS / SKILLS :

Pass in-depth background investigation.

Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places

Demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of firearms

Think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately

Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations

Learn, understand, and interpret laws, rules, regulations, and policies

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.

Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports

Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system

Demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics

Handle an automobile in high speed and emergency situations

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Ability to follow verbal and written instructions

Ability to speak effectively to individuals and groups

Understand and carry out oral and written directions

Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times.

OTHER DESIRABLES :

Bilingual

College Degree

Physical Requirements

Make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand position, such as when sighting and shooting a firearm

Direct traffic requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand movements

Use sufficient strength to enable the incumbent to sprint, jump, or physically overcome resistance when chasing or apprehending suspects

Coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously, such as when using a hand radio while driving a vehicle or searching a building with a firearm drawn, flashlight on, and opening and closing doors

Bend or stoop repeatedly and continuously over time, such as getting in and out of a patrol car or gathering evidence at crime scenes

Patrol officers wear a 15-20-pound utility / gun belt, which requires continuous support from the stomach and lower back muscles

A patrol officer typically spends 7 - 8 hours per day driving a vehicle, which requires continuous support of lower back muscles

Climbing ladders and searching rooftops requires lifting arms above shoulder level and working at heights greater than ten feet

Searching for suspects or lost people may require walking over rough, uneven, slippery, or rocky surfaces, including fields, parks, hillsides, and creeks

An officer is required to listen for alarms, screams, breaking glass or other suspicious and unusual noises that may require investigation

Move heavy objects such as equipment (50 pounds and more), and lift and carry injured or intoxicated people for short and long distances

Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements; tolerate very hot and very cold temperatures

Sit for extended periods of time and may or may not be able to change positions such as when sitting in a patrol vehicle, or performing surveillance

Foot beat and search activities require walking for extended periods of time, unable to stop, sit or rest at will

Crowd and traffic control duties require standing for extended periods of time, unable to sit or rest at will.