Lateral Police Officer

Must be 20+ years old to qualify. This position is for LATERAL Police Officers Only. Please read minimum qualifications.

Police Officers perform general policing functions intended to ensure the safety and security of lives and property within the City. Activities include patrol, traffic enforcement, and investigative duties. Officers work under the general supervision of a Sergeant and are assigned to a particular area of the City. Officers may be assigned to special activities or projects on an ongoing or short-term basis (e.g., crime prevention, investigations, school resource officer, etc.).

The work performed involves a considerable risk to personal safety for self and others and requires quick decision-making when determining the appropriate action to take in a given situation. While much of this work is performed independently and without the immediate presence of a supervisor, incumbents are required to draw upon their extensive training and the department s procedural guidelines, mandates, and laws governing an officer s response and conduct when determining the appropriate action to take in a particular situation.

Officers are subject to call back at most times. Officers may respond to situations outside of Fargo and across state lines when called in for mutual aid.

Scope of Responsibility:
The Police Officer works under the general supervision of a Sergeant, who is often not immediately present during events but is typically available by electronic communications media. Work involves taking action in situations where a quick response is needed and there can be considerable risk of harm to persons or property and considerable liability. Responsible for all equipment issued, in accordance with Police Department policy and procedures.

A Police Officer may be assigned to the SWAT Team or the Police Training Officer (PTO) Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Other duties include conducting periodic security checks of businesses and other facilities.

Receives, prioritizes and responds to non-emergency calls. Responds to complaints, accidents, disturbances and/or requests for police assistance; assesses each situation and determines the most appropriate response in order to prevent potentially dangerous or violent situations from occurring or continuing.

Responds to emergency situations such as accidents, medical emergencies, fire scenes and other emergencies, and performs various other tasks to secure the scene and assist other emergency personnel. Provides first aid to injured persons, as necessary, until medical personnel are available; handles crowd control, directs traffic, clears access routes, escorts emergency vehicles, contacts tow trucks, etc.; preserves and/or collects evidence as indicated by the circumstances.

Conducts detailed investigations of criminal activities and public safety incidents. Secures crime scene; gathers, secures, documents, and analyzes evidence; maintains chain-of-custody; interviews witnesses and victims and records pertinent information; provides input and documentation to other investigators as needed; analyzes problems, researches solutions; coordinates investigative information with others both inside and outside the department.

Participates as a team member with officers, supervisors and citizens to identify and prioritize problems, develop and implement solutions, and evaluate results. Organizes resources within the community, the police department and other agencies to reduce crime and meet the appropriate needs of the community. Works toward building partnerships with citizens, service providers, other agencies, etc. Develops and conducts crime prevention activities in assigned neighborhood;

serves as a resource to organizations, committees and groups that affect neighborhood issues; conducts presentations on topics identified as concerns or problems to neighborhood and civic groups; researches and develops materials for preparing literature,…