Police Officer (Academy Graduate & Lateral)

PLEASE NOTE:  This is an open and continuous recruitment.  Interviews will be scheduled on a continuous basis.

DEFINITION
 
Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; makes investigations, assists in the preparation of cases, and testifies in court; serves in specialized departmental roles as assigned; provides information and assistance to the public; performs related work as assigned.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
               
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel.  No supervision of staff is exercised. 
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
 
This is a sworn journey-level law enforcement class that performs all assignments found in a municipal police department.  While incumbents are normally assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement, all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including investigation, youth services, administration, and training are included.  Incumbents may be armed and may be assigned to work in uniform or plain clothes.  Shift schedules and job assignments may be changed periodically to assure the maximum delivery of effective police service.  This class is distinguished from Police Sergeant in that the latter is the first supervisory level in this sworn class series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of staff on an assigned shift. 
 

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Patrols the City within an assigned area in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observe situations, report suspicious, criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deter crime by providing high visibility.
• Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling assigned divisions by foot or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for immediate removal of stranded vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and provides for the safety and welfare of juveniles and adults in custody to include the transport of detainees for medical clearance and/or transport to a longer-term facility as required.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; coordinates and maintains crime scene activities including conducting interviews of suspects, victims, and witnesses and collecting and preserving evidence.
• Provides oversight of juveniles and delinquents; interprets law to school officials and parents; confers with school administrators to identify and discuss criminal and public safety issues; works to resolve cases involving unfit homes and crimes committed against or by juveniles; advises and refers juveniles to appropriate community resources as requested or as necessary.
• Assists the City Attorney or the District Attorney staff in preparing, documenting, and developing cases and gathering information; testifies in court as required.
• Directs the activities of police support personnel and/or volunteers in office and field situations.
• Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical assistance as necessary.
• Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.
• Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• May perform and/or coordinate specific programs or projects, including community-oriented policing, project and resource development, investigations, and crime prevention.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Oversees the use and care of equipment as required.
• Provide public presentations as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY AS AN ENTRY LEVEL/ACADEMY GRADUATE, YOU MUST:

• Be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment
• Must possess a valid California Drivers' License with an acceptable driving record
• United States High School Diploma or general education diploma (GED) which may be waived if you have a college degree from an accredited college within the United States
• No felony, domestic violence, misdemeanor assault convictions or currently on probation or parole
• Have graduated from a POST Basic Police Academy within the last 3 years or be currently enrolled in a POST Basic Police Academy
• Be able to pass a comprehensive background investigation, physical examination (including drug testing), polygraph examination and psychological examination

• Currently be employed as a Police Officer in the State of California or currently employed as a Police Officer outside of California and possess the CA POST Basic Course Waiver (BCW) Certificate
• Possession of a Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)
• Possession and maintenance of firearms qualification
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

• Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects.
• Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
• Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying.

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to assigned area of responsibility.

• Safety practices and equipment related to the area of assignment, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol, pursuit, and emergency conditions.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the area of assignment.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

• Techniques for effectively dealing with individuals of various ages, various socio-economic and ethnic groups, and effectively representing the City in contacts with the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Coordinate and carry out special assignments.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Enter information into a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and software programs.

• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands