Police Officer

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Inspects the assigned patrol vehicle prior to beginning shift to include: checking under all seats, front and back, and all compartments where the public or incarcerated suspects may have had access.
• Operates the assigned patrol vehicle in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Patrols assigned area to include all public and private businesses and residences, parking lots, surface streets and highways enforcing all federal, state and local laws.
• Directs vehicular traffic; enforces traffic laws; directs pedestrian traffic; investigates road damage; removes hazards from the roadway; issues citations, explains legal procedures, checks vehicle license plates, registration and other required documents.
• Investigates traffic accidents, by determining cause; protects, processes and stores all physical evidence related to a specific incident; requests the necessary emergency equipment required at the scene; takes precautions at an accident scene by creating detours or working traffic control to reduce the possibility of other accidents.
• Positions vehicles at road blocks to effectively isolate the scene of hazardous situations.
• Reviews and investigates all hit & run vehicular accidents.
• Enforces all applicable City, local, state and federal laws.
• Uses verbal communication skills to testify in a courtroom setting or other legal proceeding to ensure complete and correct information is related to all participants.
• Secures and protects the scene of a crime and the immediate area surrounding the crime scene so that no evidence is disturbed.
• Reviews all documents, papers and notes related to an investigation to allow for knowledgeable courtroom testimony.
• Provides depositions or courtroom testimony to the court on incidents where officer may have direct knowledge or information.
• Makes arrests of persons observed or suspected of committing crimes.
• Advises persons under arrest and explains their rights according to the Miranda decision to ensure complete understanding of these rights.
• Conducts stop and frisk searches on suspicious persons for the safety of all involved parties.
• Searches movable vehicles both interior and exterior under independent probable cause in accordance with established search and seizure rules and procedures.
• Searches persons, premises, or property incident to a lawful arrest with a warrant or consent in accordance with established departmental policy and search and seizure laws.
• Plans methods and procedures for conducting a search of a person or premise using all available information on the size and location of the person or premise.
• Removes weapons from armed persons.
• Advises victims or other involved persons of their rights according to current law and the proper procedures to follow to prosecute a case.
• Confiscates property for evidence resulting from an arrest.
• Works in conjunction with school teachers, school counselors, and principals by coordinating, instructing and participating in the DARE program in the public schools.
• Maintains and inspects all issued equipment to include: uniforms, hand guns, ammunition, magazines, hand cuffs, flashlight, badges, and other equipment.
• Demonstrates a proficiency in the use of all issued equipment to include issued fire arms.
• Identifies, confiscates, preserves, and maintains the chain of custody of all evidence in accordance with current search and seizure laws and departmental policy.
• Communicates over and listens to police radio, issues lookout and other required information while on patrol.
• Verbally communicates with the public, fellow officers, and supervisors to a degree that complete understanding is accomplished.
• Assists in the evacuation or rescue of persons and property in emergency situations such as aircraft…