Police Sergeant Position

Job Description

Job Description

This position is posted and will be assigned per agency needs.

CITY OF HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title : Police Sergeant Date : July 1, 2012

Department : Police Status : Full-time

Division : As Assigned Exemption : Non-Exempt

W / C Code : 7720-17

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of routine and complex police investigative duties in the Detective Division, Patrol Division

and Administrative Divisions of the Police Department and other law enforcement related activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the assigned Lieutenant or First Sergeant.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises Police officers and support staff, including civilian personnel. May act for a higher rank in

absence of same.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Carries out duties in compliance with and enforces the laws of the State, United States and the ordinances of

the City.

Plans, supervises, assigns and reviews the work of subordinates; communicates assignments effectively;

evaluates job performance and makes staffing recommendations.

Coordinates and supervises the training, assignment, development of subordinate police officers.

Assists in preparation and administration of the department budget.

Supervises and maintains contact with personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual

assistance during emergency situations and provide general information about Department activities.

Maintains contact with the general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police

activities, as assigned.

Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits, obtaining evidence and

compiling information regarding these crimes, interrogating witnesses and suspects, preparing cases for filing

of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.

Advises supervisors on deployment of personnel during emergency responses.

Works in uniform or plain clothes and various shifts in the performance of duties. Investigation and first aid at

accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct, through crime

scene / evidence analysis.

Works on rotating shifts, performing community oriented policing tasks, investigation and first aid at accidents,

serves warrants, detection of stolen cars and missing persons, investigation and arrest of persons involved in

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crimes or misconduct; including juvenile offenders; gathers evidence and secures facts from initial crime

scene.

Collects, identifies, logs and provides security for evidence items collected during the course of investigations.

Ensures the chain of custody, which includes checking out of evidence to bring items to trial for prosecution

and presentation, processing crime scenes and the processing of collected evidence items.

Maintains the evidence check-in logs and chain of custody of the Police Department Evidence room.

Acts as a liaison between the Hartsville Police Department and other law enforcement agencies and judicial

bodies concerning evidence matters.

Prepares cases for court and submits case files to City Prosecutor.

Participates in surveillance and undercover operations.

Visits scenes of major crimes, fires, and accidents; secures evidence and questions witnesses, suspects and

other persons. Tags and files seized property

Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or other matters.

Prevents or detects and investigates misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations

and to otherwise serve and protect.

Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic

disputes, fight drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law

enforcement action; locates, identifies, and process evidence of such violations.

Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer’s daily log, reports of investigation, field

interrogation report, bad check form, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.

Assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug resistance, traffic

safety, etc.

Coordinates activities with supervisors or other City departments, exchanges information with officers in other

law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney, Court Administrator, and Municipal

Prosecutor’s office regarding cases, policies and procedures.

Reviews, evaluates and develops programs, policies and procedures for various departmental operations,

and the processing of evidence.

Analyzes and recommends improvements to equipment and facilities; maintains departmental equipment,

supplies and facilities.

Maintains liaison with community groups.

Participates in safety training, make suggestions as necessary; serve on committees or inspection teams

when appropriate. Works according to good safety practices as posted, instructed, and / or discussed.

Reports unsafe conditions or defects in equipment. Refrains from any unsafe behavior or act that might

endanger self or fellow worker(s). Reports all accidents and incidents (including near misses) as soon as

they occur. Follows safety rules and regulations and uses personal protective equipment.

Maintains prompt and regular attendance; adheres to City policies and procedures regarding absences and

tardiness.

Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.

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May be required to report to the City’s Emergency Operations Center for emergency duty anytime the

Emergency Operations Plan is activated.

Remains on 24-hour emergency call status.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Coordinates activities with other officers or other city departments as needed.

Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other city officials as needed.

Serves as a member of various employee committees.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience :

a) Associates degree from an accredited college or university with major study in criminal justice or related

field of study; and

b) Three (3) years of experience in law enforcement, with two (2) years at Police Corporal or above; and

c) Completion of the South Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy and local Field Training; or

d) Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the necessary knowledge, skills

and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

a) Considerable knowledge of : modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment;

ordinances governing local police work, thorough knowledge of the geography of the City or ability to

learn the area, powers of observation and memory; demonstrated comprehension of C.O.P. as a

management style.

b) Thorough knowledge of investigative procedures and crime scene analysis.

c) Skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.

d) Ability to : train and supervise subordinate personnel; perform work requiring good physical condition;

communicate effectively orally and in writing, including following and giving verbal or written instructions;

prepare clear comprehensive reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with

subordinates, peers, supervisors and the general public; be courteous and firm with the public and

exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

a) At least 21 years of age.

b) Must possess valid South Carolina driver’s license.

c) Must meet Department’s Physical agility standards.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun, taser, and other weapons as required, handcuffs, ASP, pager,

first aid equipment, handcuffs, cell phone, personal computer including word processing software, copier, fax,

and other related tools and equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to

successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The

employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, controls or

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tools listed above, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or

smell. The employee must occasionally lift and / or move more than 165 pounds. Specific vision abilities

required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and

the ability to adjust focus in the use of firearms and the safe operation of motor vehicles.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics here are representative of those an employee encounters while

performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The

employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and with explosives and

is occasionally exposed to wet and / or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic

chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderately noisy in the field; with the

noise level being loud at the firing range or in a situation where firearms are being used.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interviews and reference check; other job related

tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar,

related or a logical assignment to the position.