Police Officer

Description

Under the direct supervision of the Police Sergeant, performs a wide variety of police and law enforcement duties including the protection of life and property, enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, crime prevention, preservation of the public peace, apprehension of criminals, and response to calls for service. This class is characterized by the use of independent judgment in the application of police principals, and knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Duties are performed in accordance with departmental orders, standard operating procedures, directives, and as directed by supervision.

Examples of Duties

• Patrols assigned area in patrol car, on foot, by bicycle, by motorcycle, to enforce laws, prevent and discover crimes, investigate crimes, assist citizens and maintain order.
• Responds to dispatched calls or citizens’ requests for police services at the scene of accidents, domestic disputes, law violations, and public disturbances,
• Directs and controls traffic. Issues written citations for traffic and other minor violations.
• Investigates causes and results of accidents. Investigates illegal or suspicious activities, persons, and establishments, and quells disturbances.
• Operates law enforcement vehicle during both the night and day in emergency situations in compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicates with people of varying ages, providing information, mediating disputes, and advising individuals of rights and processes. Maintains professional demeanor under stressful circumstances to include confrontational situations.
• Pursues fleeing suspects, which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicles, running, climbing over and pulling oneself over obstacles, jumping down from elevated surfaces, climbing through openings, moving through confined areas, and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.
• Locates, searches, and detains suspects. Exercises independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest and when force may be used and to what degree. Uses the continuum amount of force necessary to control an incident, affect an arrest, or protect the officer or others from harm.
• Performs searches of people, vehicles, building and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Interviews and questions victims, witnesses and suspects. Gathers and preserves evidence and information in criminal investigations. Detects and collects evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions in accordance with departmental standards.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include directing traffic for long period of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging and carrying people away from dangerous situations, and securing and evacuating people from particular areas. May perform first aid and provide other assistance to victims.
• Prepares detailed incident, investigation, activity, and other police reports in compliance with proper police procedures.
• Conducts visual and audio surveillances for extended period of time.
• Utilizes community oriented policing strategies to develop partnerships and problem solving strategies to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.
• Transports prisoners to the County Jail; itemize prisoner property; complete necessary required forms when an arrest is made; obtain statements and affidavits from crime victims.
• Maintains proficiency with weapons and utilizes weapons in accordance with use of force standards.
• Performs miscellaneous duties: attend short briefings; obtain assignments and equipment; compile reports; appear in court for testimony; communicate with other officers, detectives, State Attorney's office, and other State and Local Agencies; maintain assigned equipment.
• Testifies in court to present evidence by describing conditions, situations, and actions. Demonstrates effective communication skills in court and other formal settings.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Trains new Police Officers
• Assists ambulance and fire department personnel.
• Fingerprints and photographs arrested subjects.
• Transports police cars to the City garage for repair.
• Resolves animal complaints and assist animal control officers.
• Seizes, impounds and confiscates vehicles and property.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be at least 19 years of age and a United States citizen.
• Must pass physical fitness assessment, background investigation, and polygraph and psychological examinations.
• Candidates must pass Frontline testing consisting of Situational Judgment and Human Relations, Written Report Writing, and Reading Video-Based Tests, and pass a Physical Abilities Test.
• Candidates are responsible for paying a $30 Frontline testing fee.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License. Applicants may possess a valid out of state driver’s license and obtain the Florida license within 10 days of employment.
• Must currently be certified as a Police Officer in the State of Florida, currently attending a Florida CJSTC Basic Law Enforcement Recruit course or Equivalency of Training course, or possess a Letter of Acceptance to attend the next scheduled Florida CJSTC Basic Law Enforcement Recruit course or Equivalency of Training course.
• Must meet all FDLE requirements to be certified as a Police Officer.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of modern principles and practices of police work, the criminal justice process, laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of emergency medical and first aid practices.
• Ability to analyze disputed and complex situations objectively and to determine the proper course of action.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly under dangerous and /or emergency conditions.
• Ability to obtain information through interviews, interrogations and observations and correctly document information per policy and legal guidelines.
• Ability to condense and organize large amounts of information into easily understood well typed remarks in a timely manner using accepted acronyms and type codes to facilitate efficient and accurate call processing.
• Ability to understand and execute difficult oral and written instructions and to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to make oral presentations.
• Skill in the use of a computer and associated software applications.
• Ability to type with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to physically detain law breakers.
• Skill in operating motor vehicles during hazardous situations.
• Skill in using weapons and other police equipment.
• Skill in defusing crisis situations involving citizens.
• Skill in recognizing cultural diversity and communicating and interacting with persons from a variety of cultural backgrounds in a respectful and professional manner.
• Ability to work various schedules including days, evenings, midnights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Ability to hear in a normal tone of voice and in a low or high pitch, whisper or loud voice and with an accent.
• Ability to read and understand printing and cursive writing.
• Ability to read a computer screen at varying distances.
• Ability to work effectively while under stress.
• Ability to write cursive or print in a legible and easily understood manner.
• Must have physical dexterity to operate a computer keyboard.
• Ability to learn and apply complex tasks and retain the knowledge to complete the tasks without assistance.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time in excess of four (4) hours at a time.
• Ability to report to work on short notice or work extended hours when necessary.
• Ability to talk on a telephone or radio and type on a computer keyboard at the same time.
• Ability to speak in a clear, concise and well modulated understandable voice.
• Obtain and record accurate information by means of conversation.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and efficient manner.
• Ability to understand conversation in a normal tone of voice to communicate with fellow officers, suspects, victims, witnesses, State Attorney's, Court Officers, and the general public
• Walk or run on concrete or in tall grass, mud and water; occasionally on all types of surfaces and terrain, including rough terrain, rock or uneven ground, or areas presenting obstacles such as alleys with garbage and debris.
• Frequently lift or carry light objects including firearms and recovered property. Occasionally lift or carry 50 lbs., or larger with assistance to move victims at the scene of an accident or to assist elderly or disabled persons who have fallen in their homes or elsewhere; and 50 lbs. when recovering property such as TV's.
• Vision to observe suspects; drive patrol car. Visual discrimination required to distinguish and identify suspects clothing, features, and license plates; must have good night vision and color perception.
• Handling ability required to restrain suspects; use firearms, files, radio, or equipment; recover property; vacuum and to clean windows and wash vehicles.
• Fine dexterity to write and type reports; handle firearms; use radar equipment, siren controls, and spotlights.
• Control foot controls to drive patrol vehicle.
• Sit for extended periods to drive patrol vehicle; work at desk; attend meetings; perform other miscellaneous office tasks; appear in court.
• Stand for extended periods of time to talk with suspects; question witnesses at crime scenes; issue citations; direct traffic.
• Push to move vehicles off the roadway; pull victims from accident scenes; push open doors or windows; move obstacles.
• Reach varying distances to open or crawl through windows; at times to reach into vehicles to assist accident victims, to obtain equipment; inventory in vehicle; reach shotgun in vehicle.
• To climb on roofs; climb stairs in apartment complexes or other buildings; climb ladders to apprehend suspects or assist in rescue; jump or climb over fences or other obstacles in a chase.
• The nature of police work is such that all types of body positions are assumed to varying degrees; depending on the shift work and the nature of the calls, the officer may be required to assume positions of kneeling, crouching, crawling, or bending, or twisting in order to:
• Chase or apprehend a suspect in a narrow, small, or cramped space.
• Handcuff or restrain a suspect who is attempting to flee, particularly a suspect who has to be brought to the ground and searched.
• Maneuver around, through or under various kinds of obstacles.
• Must be, or have the ability to be, respirator certified.