Job Description

Police Officer

Performs general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property in the City. Distinguishing features of the class include a full range of general law enforcement duties in the patrol division. Work includes patrolling the City during a shift in a police car, on foot, by bicycle, or other appropriate means preventing, detecting and investigating disturbances and crime; investigating traffic accidents, helping victims, and performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; testifying in court; and executing related assignments. Employees must exercise judgment, initiative and calm control when performing duties, but more difficult problems are normally carried out under the direction of or in conjunction with the 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 superior officers. Employees are subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work. The employees are also subject to Level III OSHA Standards on blood borne pathogens. Work is performed under regular supervision, and is evaluated through observation, review of reports, and discussion concerning how particular incidents or activities were handled.

Duties and responsibilities include patrolling streets in a police car, on foot, by bicycle or other appropriate means; checking doors and windows; examining premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detecting unusual conditions, may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reporting dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions. Responding to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, and others needs; completing calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted. Investigating traffic accidents; issuing traffic citations; directing traffic and participating in other emergency operation activities. Performing investigations of accidents and possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering physical evidence; performing investigative tasks; arresting and processing criminal suspects. Advising the public on laws and local ordinances; testifying in court; executing search warrants; serving papers as needed. Regulating and directing vehicular traffic at busy times or when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require; maintaining order at public gatherings. May be assigned to special School Resource Officer or Traffic division work. Operating a two-way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters. Preparing detailed records and reports of activities. Using a variety of software programs to prepare incident reports, perform research, check driver's licenses and vehicle registrations, check for outstanding warrants and related research. Performing special projects as assigned by the department such as helping with background investigations of applicants, helping install or maintain security of technology, and helping coordinate in-service training.

Additional job duties include performing related duties as required.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances and policies of the police department, especially relating to arrest, search and seizure, and traffic control. Knowledge of the application of information technology to the work. Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods and equipment. Some knowledge of scientific criminal detection and identification methods. Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics. Skill in collaborative conflict resolution. Ability to communicate clearly over radio and other technology. Ability to operate a computer terminal. Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations. Ability to present effective court testimony. Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports. Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective relations with the citizens, coworkers, other law enforcement agencies, and City officials.

Desirable education and experience include graduation from high school and some law enforcement training or experience. Special requirement: before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina Driver's license and have completed at least the minimum requirement established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Council for certified law enforcement officers, with possession of a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate. Ability to obtain required certifications.

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