Police Officer - Academy-Certified

To qualify as an Academy-certified applicant, you must meet the minimum qualifications in the police officer job description below.

• have graduated from a basic law enforcement training as accepted by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission
• have been employed as a full-time sworn police officer within the last 24 months prior to date of hire; and
• not be qualified to apply as a Lateral Officer.

Residency requirement:
All police officers must reside within fifty (50) road miles of Port Townsend city limits within six months of hire date.

Under the general supervision of a commanding officer, Police Officers are sworn, general authority law enforcement officers who perform a wide variety of public safety and community care-taking duties including preserving the peace, protecting life and property, enforcing laws and ordinances, deterring and preventing crime, investigating criminal activity and providing public safety education.

• Perform daily job duties according to Washington State laws and department policies and procedures as approved by the Chief of Police.
• Effect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in self-defense.
• Prepare investigative and other reports including sketches using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
• Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is a reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree.
• Operate a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.
• Communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Gather information and conduct criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining statements from victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers.
• Pursue fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicles; lifting, carrying and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling up oneself over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces; and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.
• Load, unload, aim and fire from a variety of body positions; handguns, long guns and other agency firearms at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards and to include under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force.
• Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
• Engage in law enforcement patrol functions that include such things as working rotation shifts, walking on foot patrol and physically checking doors and windows to ensure that they are secure.
• Demonstrate communication skills in court and other formal settings through verbal testimony and preparation in presentation of various exhibits.
• Detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis for criminal offenses and infractions and would indicate the presence of dangerous conditions.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging and carrying people away from dangerous situations and securing and evacuating people from particular areas.
• Process and transport prisoners and protective custody mental and/or substance abuse patients using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints.
• Refer unusual problems and situations to a supervisor.

• Knowledge of basic principles and procedures of crime prevention, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of laws, RCW, City Code, City Rules, City Regulations and Department Policies and Procedures.
• Ability to learn and understand laws of arrest, search and seizure and rules of evidence.
• Ability to respond quickly and exercise sound judgment in emergency situations.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in decision-making.
• Knowledge of proper methods of physical restraint of other persons.
• Ability to use weapons safely and accurately.
• Ability to maintain cooperative and responsible attitude toward co-workers and general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to prepare and process citations, affidavits, warrants and…