Police Officer Trainee

Police Officer Trainees are responsible to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local municipal codes, violations and traffic regulations; to perform investigative work; to participate in and provide support and assistance to special crime prevention and enforcement programs; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the department.

This is the entry-level class in the sworn Police Officer series. The classification is designed for candidates currently attending a California POST-certified Regular Basic Course academy or for those who will have successfully completed a California POST-certified Regular Basic Course academy (Intensive, Extended, or Modular formats) by time of appointment. This classification is distinguished from the Police Officer by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series since this class is typically used as work experience.
 

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; assist stranded motorists.

Answer calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanors and felonies; render first aid as required. 

Respond to general public service calls including animal complaints, domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property control, and related incidents. 

Collect, process, photograph and present evidence using scientific techniques including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence. 

Check buildings for physical security. 

Serve as Field Training Officer as assigned; train new officers on departmental policies, procedures and activities. 

Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; check speed with radar; issue warnings and citations. 

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

Conduct investigations of serious injury and fatality.

Conduct traffic accident analyses and general traffic surveys. 

Conduct a variety of criminal investigations involving crimes against persons and property, auto theft, white-collar crime, and narcotics; gather evidence and prepare cases for prosecution. 

Identify suspects; conduct interviews and interrogations; apprehend and arrest offenders. 

Teach bicycle safety in accordance with State agencies. 

Contact and interview victims and witnesses; preserve and investigate crime scenes. 

Conduct covert, undercover investigations as assigned.

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

Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public; take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.

Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required. 

Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed. 

Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants and witnesses; interrogate suspects; administer polygraph tests; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court. 

Serve warrants within the department and with outside agencies; remain current on laws and procedures required for processing warrants.

Act as Watch Commander; review and approve the reports of other Police Officers. 

Perform a wide variety of laboratory tests and procedures including those related to narcotics testing; act as Department photographer; testify in court as an expert witness. 

Serve as Department Training Manager; review and assess training needs and available programs; oversee and coordinate the attendance of Departmental staff at training programs and seminars; research policies and procedures related to training activities. 

Serve as Crime Prevention Officer; oversee and coordinate crime prevention activities; make presentations to local citizens and community groups.

Serve as Intelligence Officer or Gang Officer; gather crime related intelligence information and conduct background investigations; coordinate information and activities with outside agencies and jurisdictions.

Investigate juvenile related crimes including child abuse and juvenile narcotics; coordinate youth services with outside agencies and organizations including local school districts; conduct community presentations and instruct assigned classes.

Participate in recruiting sworn staff; conduct background investigations; interview potential job candidates and references; administer voice stress analysis tests. 

Give oral presentations at schools, clubs and other community organizations. 

Act as Department court liaison. 

Marginal Functions:

Perform related duties as assigned.

Mobility: pulling and pushing objects, sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending, twisting, turning, stooping, squatting, and climbing. Lifting: Ability to perform tasks requiring strength and stamina, such as medium heavy lifting and moving equipment and objects weighing 75 pounds and continuously wearing a duty belt weight and other police equipment. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading of work papers, reports and special projects; color and depth vision; ability to identify suspects and interpret and apply the law to field situations; observation skills while conducting surveillance. Dexterity: perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation to use a computer and operate a motor vehicle. Hearing/Talking: verbal communication including projecting a voice that can be heard in a noisy environment, hearing and distinguishing various sounds; explain the law to the public. Emotional/Psychological: frequent concentration and decision making, frequent public and coworker contact, ability to maintain high level cognitive, observation and memory skills. Environmental: Must be willing to work in office and field environment, including life threatening emergencies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an office and field environment and requires travel from site to site. Overtime and shift work is required.