Employment

POLICE OFFICER

General Statement of Duties

Performs responsible general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property in the Town.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties. Work includes patrolling the Town during an assigned shift in a police car or on foot; preventing, detecting and investigating disturbances and crime; performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; performing community policing; and executing related assignments. Employees must exercise judgement, initiative and calm control when performing duties; more difficult problems are normally carried out under the direction of or in conjunction with a Police Sergeant. Work involves frequent public contact which requires tact, firmness and decisiveness. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from supervising officers. Employees are subject to hazards associated with law enforcement work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as dangerous persons, loud noises, and hazardous spills with fumes, oils, gases, or flammable liquids. Work is subject to the final OSHA standards on blood borne pathogens. Work is performed under regular supervision and is evaluated through observation, monitoring radio traffic, discussion, and review of reports for adherence to laws, department procedures, and proper judgement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks
Patrols streets in a police car or on foot; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; meets store owners and staff and discusses crime prevention methods; participates in community education and crime prevention programs such as community watch; detects unusual conditions; may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; provides funeral and bank escorts.
Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citation; directs traffic and participates in other emergency operation activities; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
Performs investigations of accidents or possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering physical evidence using finger print kit, camera and other equipment; performs investigative tasks, arrests and processes criminal suspects; presents findings in court.
Issues citations for violation of traffic regulations, serves warrants; apprehends and processes criminal suspects and transports to magistrate and/or County detention facilities.
Regulates and directs vehicular traffic at busy times at local schools and when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require.

Operates a mobile data terminal to prepare reports, obtain motor vehicle information, perform research, search for warrants, etc.; operates two-way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters; maintains vehicle, weapons and other equipment in standard working order; may operate vehicle or body worn camera.
Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; serves papers as needed.
Assists stranded motorists; gives information and directions to visitors and the general public.

Additional Job Duties
May serve as K-9 Officer.
Performs other related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances and policies of the police department, especially relating to search and seizure, traffic control, pursuit, and arrest.
Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods and equipment.
Some knowledge of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures.
Some knowledge of the application of information technology to law enforcement work and records.
Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense and de-escalation tactics.
Skill in collaborative conflict resolution and teamwork.
Ability to act with sound judgement in routine and emergency situations.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
Ability to present effective court testimony.
Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports.
Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and other public officials.
Ability to operate all assigned equipment and weapons.

Physical Requirements
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, hearing, kneeling, reaching, feeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, crawling, fingering, and performing repetitive motions.
Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pound of force occasionally; 20 pounds frequently; and 10 pounds constantly.
Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.

Desirable Experience and Education
Graduation from high school and completion of basic law enforcement training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements
Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license and have completed at least the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission for certified law enforcement officers.

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.