Police Officer; Certified Police Officers

Under general direction of a Police Lieutenant or other supervisory/management staff, performs a variety of duties related to the protection of public health, safety, and welfare and the enforcement of applicable federal, state, and local laws; provides traffic enforcement and control; and carries out special assignments in a particular phase of police work.

• Maintains a current knowledge of criminal law, city ordinances and other critical elements of law enforcement and peacekeeping.
• Patrols assigned zone to maintain visibility, observe, and deter possible criminal activity.
• Responds to all requests for assistance relayed by communications officers.
• Issues tickets to moving and parked traffic violators; impounds abandoned vehicles as warranted.
• Assumes control at traffic accidents, assists victims, and investigates causes of accidents.
• Directs traffic and assists motorists, attends to malfunctioning traffic signals, monitors school crossings, provides escort for funeral processions or other situations.
• Investigates crimes, interviews witnesses, complainants, and victims. Processes crime scenes; collects, analyzes, and preserves evidence for court use. Contacts complainants and/or victims of crimes to inform them of progress of investigations.
• Serves warrants, summonses, subpoenas, civil, and other official papers. Seizes evidence and contraband uncovered in such duties.
• Conducts surveillance of known and suspected criminals. Works undercover to obtain evidence of criminal activity and further investigations. Directs and documents the activities of confidential informants.
• Detains, apprehends, and arrests, criminal suspects and law violators when necessary; follows proper procedures when making arrests. Transports arrestees to detention centers and oversees booking.
• Serves as a witness in court as required.
• Investigates complaints, accidents, or hazardous conditions, which might endanger public safety.
• Investigates and reports fires or other related events, provides backup and security and crowd control for Fire Department/EMS or other officials.
• Prepares various official reports as required; submits reports to superior officer.
• Maintains uniforms, weapons and other assigned equipment in functional and presentable condition.
• Transports mental patients and detainees to prescribed locations as necessary.
• Answers questions asked by the general public; works with juveniles and adults in related matters; refers public to persons or agencies which can provide further assistance as required.
• Watches for wanted or missing persons and lost children; administers first-aid to the injured in emergencies; reports stray animals to proper authorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

When Assigned as Canine/K-9 Handler:

• Conducts searches with specially trained canines in support of sworn personnel to expedite the location and tracking of missing persons, the arrest of offenders, and the investigation and response to incidents in an effort to enforce laws
• Handles canines in pursuit of detecting drugs, smuggled items and other types of narcotics and evidence
• Watches and provides appropriate signals to canines
• Performs detection duties such as quickly searching cars, homes, businesses, and yards with canines
• Patrols the streets with a specially trained canine to ensure the safety of public and property as part of patrol duties.
• Handles and ensures obedience from canine through extensive instructional programs and offduty training
• Maintains physical care of canine lives by consistently grooming, ensuring a healthy diet, regular walks, comfortable sleeping environment, and ongoing general training
• Rewards canine for obedient behavior and to reinforce good habits
• Interacts with the…