Certified Police Officer

Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related activities in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances.

• Regular attendance is required to perform the duties of this position. Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct. Works on assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action, expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance. Works mandatory extra duty assignments as needed.
• Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent. Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State and City laws and ordinances.
• Patrols city streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law.
• Prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations and to otherwise serve and protect.
• Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law enforcement action.
• Interrogates suspects, witnesses and drivers.
• Preserves evidence, arrests violators, investigates and renders assistance at scenes of vehicular accidents.
• Summons ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles.
• Takes measurements and draws diagrams of scene.
• Conducts follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift.
• Seeks out and questions victims, witnesses and suspects and develops leads and tips.
• Performs crime scene searches for clues, and analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders.
• Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
• Prepares a variety of reports and records including reports of investigation, field interrogation, alcohol violations, intoxilyzer check list, bad check form, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.
• Undertakes community oriented police work, and assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, etc.
• Coordinates activities with other officers or other city departments as needed, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney and District Attorney's office regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
• Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities.
• Maintains proficiency with authorized and issued weapons.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent required. Two-year community college degree or vocational school training in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice administration, public administration, or a related field preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• General knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations.
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors; Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.
• Ability to learn the city's geography.
• Skill in operation of listed tools and equipment.
• Must meet New Mexico Department of Public Safety requirements for the position.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid State issued Driver's License
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Residency requirement: Take home vehicles will be provided for officers who permanently reside within the 5 mile planning radius of the City. Employees hired after the ratification date of this agreement who reside outside of the 5 mile radius of the City will not be provided a take home vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The majority of the time, heavy physical activity is not required. However, a Police Officer needs to be able to actively respond to any situation in which the public or an officer may be in danger. The ability to physically interact with another person, including restraint, arrest, rescue, and defense of the employee or others is an essential function of the job.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, run, lift, talk and hear. The employee is routinely required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, and feel objects, tools, and controls; reach with hands and arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste and smell. The employee must be able to operate all authorized and issued weapons, equipment and motor vehicle.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects or people. The minimum physical limits are specified in the Protocol for Job Specific Tasks and standards set by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. These are simulated through a series of job specific tasks designed to ensure the employee can lift 70 pounds floor to knuckle and 40 pounds knuckle to shoulder; lift and move a 150 pound dummy onto a stretcher, quickly run up and down three flights of stairs without exceeding 80 percent of the Maximum Percentage of Heart Rate (MPHR), successfully climb over a five foot wall, crawl 25 feet at a continuous pace, and walk the lengt