APOSTC Certified Police Officer

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The ability to pursue, apprehend, and subdue suspects or persons engaged in criminal activity is an essential function of the job and a requirement of every patrol officer within the police department.

Patrol officers shall report for duty at the specified time, shall be in full uniform, and shall have on his person, regulation arms and equipment maintained in proper condition. Before going on duty, an officer should be familiar with any new bulletins on the bulletin board or activity sheet and should discuss events of the previous shift with those appropriate officers.

At the beginning of a shift and before leaving that shift, a patrol officer will check the police unit to ensure that everything including emergency lights, siren, headlights, tail lights, and radio is in good working order. Also, the vehicle should be checked for any items that could be used against an officer as a weapon. Tires should be checked and the vehicle’s body should be inspected for damage.

Patrol officers will respond to and investigate any complaint, whether it be of minor nature or of a more serious nature and a written report will be made by officers of each investigation.

Patrol officers shall investigate all traffic accidents which occur within the City Limits and assist with those within our jurisdiction.

Patrol officers will assist with or provide escorts for funeral processions and hazardous conveys.

Patrol officers will respond with any dispatched fire unit to provide traffic control at a fire scene.

Patrol officers will keep traffic moving smoothly and within legal speed limits, directing traffic at or around any hazardous conditions which may arise.

A patrol officer shall patrol his district constantly during his tour of duty. Upon reaching the area of his patrol, a patrolman shall immediately make a complete tour of the district and inspect every accessible place of business. During their patrol, a patrol officer shall vary his route of patrol so as to prevent probable suspects and/or criminals from establishing a knowledge of his patrol pattern and shall re‑check frequently all locations that require police attention.

A patrol officer shall report all leaking water, gas, or sewer main pipes to the appropriate entity. A patrol officer shall report all damaged or malfunctioning street lights, fire alarm boxes, traffic lights, traffic signs, and any electrical, telephone, TV, or other cables that are in need of repair.

Patrol officers shall report any other defect of public service installations or any dangerous condition of streets, sidewalks, city property or other property or conditions likely to prove dangerous to the public.

Patrol officers shall report the presence of any downed trees or limbs, dead animals, or other roadway obstructions found in the public streets.

Patrol officers shall assist motorists that are broken down and causing a traffic congestion. Either help the motorist get the vehicle out of the roadway or work traffic around it to clear congestion until help has arrived. An officer should never neglect any type of traffic congestion and should stop and assist as needed.

A patrol officer shall report all unlicensed business establishments on his beat that are required by law to have a license and all cases where the provisions or limitations of the license are violated.

A patrol officer shall see that places of business within their area of patrol are properly secured and shall examine for break‑ins and vandalism in all dwellings reported vacant.

A patrol officer shall not divulge any information to any unauthorized person, in or out of the department and shall not release items to the press, be interviewed about, or make any public statements about police business or any information relating to official police business within the department unless authorized by a superior ranking officer or the Chief.

A patrol officer will treat the public and fellow officers in a respectful and courteous manner. At no time should a patrol officer use profane and abusive language against a private citizen, prisoner, or fellow officer for any reason.

A patrol officer shall not have, in his…