Police Officer - EXAM

Definition

Under general supervision, is responsible for serving and protecting the community by performing crime prevention, criminal investigations, and law enforcement activities; performs related duties as required.

Please follow the link below for more information and materials including information session dates, study guides, sample video exams, and physical test video:

Becoming a Police Officer

Please follow the link below to connect with Police Officer Recruiting and sign up for Police Recruiting events to learn more about the selection steps and the job.

Police Recruiting Unit

Examples of Work

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

Prepares for duty by properly wearing a uniform, ensuring all worn equipment is operational (i.e., body-worn camera, firearm, etc.), and inspecting the vehicle and its equipment to ensure readiness for duty;

Interacts with members of the community to promote public safety and crime prevention; patrols an assigned area for the prevention of crimes; responds to questions, concerns, and complaints to resolve situations and to provide law enforcement services;

Responds to calls for police service by assessing the information attained through dispatch, training, and experience to determine the type of situation and response needed; drives at appropriate speeds to safely arrive on scene;

Appears at scenes of crimes, disputes, and vehicle accidents; visually and audibly evaluates victims, suspects, and scene layout to make an initial determination of safety and threat level; evaluates the needs of victims and bystanders;

Investigates reports of crimes and complaints by collecting accounts of the incident and physical evidence to ensure the integrity of and to corroborate statements; identifies, collects, and protects evidence used in the commission of crimes or traffic offenses;

Intervenes in disputes by actively listening to involved parties, maintaining visual contact with disputants, and asking relevant questions to determine the most appropriate strategy to protect the public and mediate disputes;

Conducts pat-down searches, vehicle searches, and premises searches following proper procedures to ensure officer safety, public safety, and collection of evidence;

Pursues suspects on foot or via bicycle, motorcycle, or motor vehicle to effect an arrest;

Apprehends and/or charges persons responsible for criminal or traffic violations; confirms and executes existing warrants through the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS);

Determines appropriate violations of law by referring to the Ohio Revised Code or City Code to reflect accurate charges in citations, incident reports, accident reports, and arrest reports; issues initial court dates;

Appears in court as a testifying officer, serves subpoenas, and assists in the enforcement of court orders;

Facilitates medical or mental health treatment and social services for individuals and arranges the transportation of individuals to these facilities;

Explains policies, directives, the Ohio Revised Code, Columbus City Code, or court activities to individuals to foster understanding of what is under an officer's jurisdiction;

Prepares official forms and reports and submits to superiors for appropriate actions;

Responds to disasters as a first responder; manages evacuations, controls traffic in disaster areas, and uses protective equipment where hazardous materials may be present;

Continuously learns, reviews, and stays up-to-date on current division policies, trainings, and procedures; maintains first aid, firearms, and other required certifications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of de-escalation and conflict resolution strategies and techniques; ability to act with integrity in words and actions; ability to show respect, empathy, and compassion; ability to communicate verbally and actively listen, including in high duress situations; ability to learn and understand policies, rules, instructions, laws, regulations, first aid, and police related literature; ability to take proper law enforcement actions; ability to write clear and accurate reports;

ability to understand and follow oral directions; ability to explain and defend reasoning, conclusions, and actions; ability to operate and provide ordinary care of motor vehicles and firearms; ability to meet current standards established by OPOTC; ability to obtain and maintain LEADS access; ability to accept individuals of diverse cultures; ability to deal effectively and equitably with persons of a different race, cultural background, or gender without racist, sexist, homophobic, and xenophobic attitudes;

ability to subdue person(s) resisting arrest; ability to pursue fleeing suspect(s); ability to run while wearing a duty belt and bulletproof vest; ability to drag or pull person(s); ability to climb up and over objects; ability to assess emergency needs; ability to diffuse situations; ability to recognize…