Police Officer - Academy Graduate

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, provides a wide variety of police duties including but not limited to; conducts patrol of an assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, maintains orders, protects life and property, prevents, detects and investigates crimes, maintains law and order, apprehends criminals, performs community policing activities, special assignments, and other related law enforcement work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receive general supervision from assigned supervisor. Technical and functional supervision may be provided by other designated police department personnel.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Completion of a California Peace Officer & Standards Training Basic Police Academy.The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following

• Utilizing a variety of patrol methodologies, which include, but is not limited to automobile, bicycle, and foot patrol to respond to radio and dispatch calls related to traffic incidents and any other required emergencies; observing, monitoring and controlling routine and unusual traffic conditions; assisting and advising motorists, and enforcing traffic safety laws.
• Coordinating and conducting complete investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gambling and narcotics violations, robberies, burglaries, thefts, thefts, accidents, deaths and similar events.
• Collecting and preserving evidence at scene of crime and/or accident; lifting fingerprints, drawing sketches, and taking photographs.
• Making arrests as necessary; interviewing victims, complainants and witnesses; interrogating suspects; searching and transporting prisoners; testifying and presenting evidence in court; serving warrants and subpoenas; keeping up-to-date on laws and procedures required for processing warrants; retrieving and requesting information involving arrests and subpoenas; filing complaints and performing other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Enforcing laws and ordinances, detecting and investigating crimes, maintaining order, protecting life and property; developing community-based methodologies for the prevention of crime.
• Contacting and cooperating with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Preparing reports of arrests, activities, and unusual incidents.
• Stopping drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; warning drivers against unlawful practices; issuing citations and making arrests, as necessary.
• Maintaining contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserving good relationships with the general public.
• Preparing written reports on accidents, offenses, arrests, and on property impounded.
• Operating computer equipment and related software programs.
• Preparing reports on arrests and on property impounded;
• Inspecting establishments which provide alcoholic beverages and entertainment for conformance to all applicable laws and codes.
• Intervening in disputes to protect the public and to maintain order.
• Participating in training and related programs as directed.
• Exercising safety and precaution in the performance of law enforcement duties in accordance with the City's police departmental procedures and citywide safety policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The following generally describes the knowledge and abilities required to enter the job and/or to be learned within a defined short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of

• Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory;
• Self defense tactics;
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Principles of Community Oriented Policing

Ability to

• Interpret and apply the current laws of arrest, search and seizure as well as, pertinent local, County, State and other laws.
• Interpret and apply the current law enforcement methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques, and police records and reporting.
• Interpret and apply current criminal laws, codes, ordinances, and policies and procedure with particular reference to apprehension, arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
• Interpret, apply and practice the safe use and care for firearms, equipment, tools and supplies; think and act quickly and safely in emergencies, exercise safety in the performance of all law enforcement work; and administer first aid and CPR as required.
• Observe and accurately recall critical details, including names, facts, faces, numbers, incidents, places, and able to judge situations and persons accordingly;
• Apply standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system;
• Understand and carryout oral and written instructions in an independent manner;
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the essential functions/duties of this job classification as required by POST standards.
• Present oral reports and accounts, prepare thorough, accurate and detailed reports in written form and in pre-structured format;
• Utilize and apply good judgment in a variety of typical and/or unusual situations;
• Work cooperatively with others, including coworkers, members of the residential and business communities, community groups, and officials from other agencies, the general public, and those contacted in the course of work.
• Other related duties as assig