Police Officer I - Public Safety

Job Title

This position is open to Colorado state residents only. This position is full time and a required in-person position at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo Campus.

About the Position:

To provide a safe, secure environment for all persons on the grounds of the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo and within the surrounding community, by enforcing State Statutes, traffic laws and regulations within jurisdiction involving the custody of criminally insane patients of the institute. To be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DPS Policy and CMHIP specific procedure.

Specific duties and expectations of the job are detailed in the sections below:

Law Enforcement Duties;
Patient Crisis Intervention;
Secure Transport;
Training;
Other duties as assigned

• Provide immediate intervention in crisis situations.
• Employ sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible crisis in a timely manner, taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all patients and staff.
• Actively use effective communication skills, verbal de-escalation skills when interacting with patients and staff in a positive and respectful manner.
• Provide interior security within the facility by patrolling the patient unit areas on irregular patrols establishing preventative enforcement through officer presence.
• Enforce the law and regulations; exercise powers of custody and arrest; restrain and take persons into custody suspected of unlawful behavior; detect criminal activity and take appropriate enforcement action; respond to communication orders (dispatch); investigate and gather evidence on complaints and incidents; interview witnesses; prepare evidence and reports; respond to emergencies and requests for assistance; provide traffic and crowd control; write appropriate, detailed, accurate and truthful reports and citations;
  
  prepare cases for prosecution by the District Attorney; execute warrants of the court, and testifying in court proceedings as a witness.
• Coach, teach and mentor other employees, role model adherence to DPS and CMHIP policies implementing procedure at all times;
• Provide shift briefing and communication of pertinent information as it relates to patient, incident and building needs.
• Identify concerns and provide solutions to minimize, reduce and eliminate potential threats;
• Ensure adherence to all safety standards throughout the facility.
• Respond to and provide solutions and coaching as needed to rectify emergency concerns;
• Respond to all alarms and assess/evaluate situation and provide direction as needed.
• Ensure provision of least restrictive alternatives and lowest level interventions.

• Responds to and handles patient crisis incidents that are beyond the capabilities and control of hospital staff.

• Transport criminally and civil committed patients and/or convicted felons to and from courts, hospitals, RISE program, clinics and jails, via state vehicles.
• This could include multiple patients, counties and facilities in one transport.
• Responsible for patient property, equipment, records, medications and any other transportation-related items. Ensures that the integrity of the vehicle has not been compromised.
• Ensures that the transportation route is a safe route and determine an alternate route, which is planned, in the event of an emergency safety situation.

• Attend and actively participate in all assigned training and successfully complete and/or testing or other requirements for such training.
• Maintain required POST certification and Police One assignments.
• Successful completion may be known or recorded by score or demonstration of skill.
• Meet and keep current all mandatory training pursuant to prevailing CMHIP/DPS Policy.

• This position will be required to assist per recommendations from the Appointing Authority and/or Supervisor, should other duties within reason arise in accordance to Colorado Revised Statutes, CDHS, CMHIP and DPS Policies and Procedures

This position is a Full Time position Minimum Qualifications :
Current, valid Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification. One (1) year of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position Substitution :
Appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis Preferred Qualifications :
College education (preferably 2 years or more) in behavioral health and/or juvenile justice related field Experience working with patients in positive leadership roles, such as mentoring and coaching Experience working in a high security locked environment Experience working with patients who suffer from mental illness Conditions of Employment : FULL BACKGROUND CHECK :
This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111: "Direct…