Police Officer

This position performs general law enforcement work in order to preserve public peace, to protect lives, property and rights of the public; to enforce statutory law and municipal ordinances; to deter crime; and to respond to calls for law enforcement assistance. Duties may vary according to specific assignments on assigned patrol shift of Uniform Services. Works under general supervision.

This position is non-exempt. Fair Labor Standards Act overtime provisions will apply.

Per Florida Statute 295.065, certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and that certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment by the state and its political subdivisions and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled.

• Enforces all city and state codes, ordinances, laws and regulations in order to: protect life and property; prevent crime; promote security;
• Apprehend and/or arrests persons who violate federal, state or City codes and laws and advises suspects of rights; processes and transports prisoners according to procedures and ensure safety of officers.
• Maintains visibility by patrolling assigned area, city streets, parks, neighborhoods, and businesses in a marked police vehicle; remains alert to suspicious activities or persons and reacts appropriately; inspects troublesome areas and checks security of businesses; performs surveillance of various locations and of criminal suspects; collects and reviews data; develops trends and/or patterns pertaining to locations/suspects; files intelligence reports.
• Monitors radio and responds to emergency calls/calls for assistance; communicates with radio dispatcher and responds to complaints, reports of criminal events, requests for law enforcement, and domestic or public disputes; assesses situation and takes appropriate actions to bring situation to resolution; follows standard operating procedures when responding to calls; provides backup assistance to fellow officers as requested/necessary; contacts command/supervisory personnel for emergency response and critical incident communications.
• Secures crime scenes until superiors arrive; gathers preliminary information in criminal investigations by obtaining statements from victims, witnesses and suspects; performs searches of people, vehicles and buildings; prepares investigative reports of findings, facts, and related information; detects and collects evidence and substances that provide the basis for probable cause for criminal acts; testifies in court.
• Determines probable cause to search and/or reasonable suspicion to detain suspects; obtains warrants and performs various search operations; locates missing persons; pursues fleeing and subdues resisting suspects and effects arrests.
• Enforces traffic laws/regulations; stops vehicles for traffic violations, issues traffic citations/warnings; directs vehicle and pedestrian traffic post-accidents, funerals and public gatherings; disabled traffic control devices or heavily congested areas; establishes road blocks; administers field sobriety tests; identifies wanted persons/vehicles; impounds vehicles; assists disabled motorists; ensures roadways are clear of obstacles and hazards.
• Responds to accident calls; gathers information at the accident scene; investigates accidents involving serious injury; fatality, or hit-and-run; interviews victims and witnesses; notifies relatives of victims as necessary.
• Performs tasks as necessary to assist at the scene of accidents, crimes, or other incidents, including crowd control, first aid, rescue functions, etc.
• Completes and/or reviews paperwork documenting shift and incident activities; completes state reports to accurately record criminal offenses; completes and prepares a variety of forms, logs, requests, records, reports, correspondence and various other documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; maintains administrative records/files.
• Responds to questions, complaints, and requests for information by telephone or in person from merchants, community/civic organizations, the public, employees, superiors, and other individuals.
• Enter/retrieves data to/from computer systems; stolen property, arrest and wanted persons information, investigation data and criminal/driving records checks; reviews crime statistics.
• Attends shift meetings, seminars, and specialized/update training…