Police Officer

Job Title: Police Officer

Department: Police Department

Hours: Full Time

Job Description:

Job Context

The Police Officer I is a full-time, temporary position in the Police Department. The person in this position is uncertified and must become a state certified officer within one year of the date hired. The person in this position will be required to successfully complete an approved state training academy and complete the department’s FTO program. The immediate supervisor for this position is the FTO and the Shift Commander. The person in this position is supervised on a daily basis and does not have any type of supervisory authority. The Police Officer I works regularly scheduled hours year-round, with frequent overtime. Night or shift work is required; police services are provided 24 hours a day. The person in the position is on call at all times. 10% of the work for this position is indoors, and 90% is outdoors and requires work done in all types of weather conditions. There is possible exposure to chemical and/or hazardous materials on a daily basis.This exposure includes, but is not limited to narcotics, human blood, petroleum products, and/or burning materials. The person in this position must be able to successfully complete the course work at an accredited state police academy, successfully pass a drug screen, successfully pass a background check, hold a valid drivers license and must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. The Police Officer I will successfully complete all phases of the FTO program. The stress level associated with this position is very high, due to the fact that situations faced may involve life or death decisions. Physical work involved with this position includes, but is not limited to passing a physical fitness test for the Police Academy, subduing suspects, wearing full protective gear during work hours, climbing up and down stairs, the ability to run, walk, and crawl.

Job Requirements

In order to be considered as a police officer, you must be:

• At least 21 years old

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED

• Good driving record

• No felony convictions

• Pass department administered physical fitness test

• Pass a background investigation

• Pass a drug screen & physical

• Neck and face tattoos are NOT ALLOWED

• Small hand tattoos will have to be approved

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Successful Completion of the Field Training Officer Program

  • Learn to receive, serve and prepare returns on warrants, citations, writs and other documents as assigned; provide additional information to help, enable subsequent service if unable to serve; under the direction of a certified police officer.
  • Learn to prepare and complete paperwork concerning crimes, accidents, and other incidents in conformity with established procedures of the Horn Lake Police Department.
  • Obtain a comprehensive working knowledge of the Horn Lake Police Department’s procedures, guidelines, and directives while in the FTO program.
  • Successfully pass all levels of the FTO program and required test.
  • Observe the activity during duty shift according to departmental procedures and be able to articulate daily operations to the assigned FTO.

Perform patrol of assigned ward

  • Responsible for protection of life, property and individual rights, and preservation of the peace under the direction of a certified police officer.
  • Conduct inspections on equipment and personnel as directed by the shift commander.
  • Learn to perform routine patrolling of neighborhoods within the assigned area of operations on foot or vehicle, accentuating prevention rather than apprehension under the direction of the FTO.
  • Learn the art of apprehending offenders and assist in subsequent prosecution.
  • Learn to manage traffic congestion at the scenes requiring police intervention.
  • Insure civil treatment and the observance of legal rights to all person coming within the scope of authority.
  • Learn the procedures of recovery and returning of stolen property.
  • Learn to enforce traffic laws and ordinances; eliminate conditions that are dangerous to the motoring public, pedestrians.
  • Observe the operations of checking suspicious persons and activities when reasonably believing them to be engaged in unlawful activities and record identities as necessary.
  • Learn to conduct a thorough investigation of all offenses within the area of assignment and scope of activity.
  • Learn to take thorough reports of incidents of criminal activities.
  • Provide prompt assistance to people as needed or requested.
  • Maintain visible police presence to the public to help prevent and/or suppress criminal activity.
  • Become familiar with the city boundaries, wards, and important facilities.

Perform inspection and light maintenance on equipment

  • Inspect the vehicle assigned before each shift and report any damages or deficiencies to supervisor.
  • Maintain all firearms, equipment, and uniforms in a functional, presentable condition, promptly correcting and reporting defects to a supervisor.
  • Demonstrate the ability to breakdown, clean, and reassemble all departmental firearms assigned.

Participate in continuing education and professional development

  • Attend various schools as required or directed.
  • Maintain certification in all required areas.
  • Continually study, research and be familiar with techniques and ideas designed to improve police performance.
  • Maintain a thorough knowledge of laws and ordinances.

Perform other duties as directed

Necessary Skills

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

  • Familiarity with specialties within the department.
  • Federal, State, and local laws.
  • Crime prevention techniques.
  • Firearms safety and cleaning.
  • Court procedures for tickets, warrants, affidavits.
  • Arrest procedures.
  • Departmental rank structure.
  • OSHA standards and regulations concerning employee safety.
  • Federal and state statues concerning the work of the department.
  •  Mathematical skills, including addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.
  • General functions and operations of municipal government.
  • Ability to read and write proficiently.
  • Proficiency in computer operations and typing.

Skills and Abilities:

  • Testify in court.
  • Shoot accurately under extreme stress.
  • Work under adverse conditions.
  • Work and adapt to hostile situations.
  • Understand and interpret the law.
  • Deal with high-stress situations involving life and death.
  • Use radios and other communications equipment.
  • Use equipment properly.
  • Adapt to different situations in emergencies or in community relations situations.
  • Work as a team member with other employees.
  • Complete paperwork with specified time restraints.
  • Communicate effectively with the residents, elected officials, other City employees, contractors, etc., both oral and written.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
  • Work autonomously when necessary.
  • Handle multiple tasks simultaneously with frequent interruptions.
  • Deal with others in a professional manner.
  • Maintain professional composure in heated situations.
  • Follow departmental and City procedures.

Company Benefits

  • Auto, Employer-Owned Car
  • Funeral Leave (See Sick Leave)
  • Cafeteria Pre Tax Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • AFLAC/Colonial Supplemental Policies (Long Term Disability, Cancer, Whole Life, Short Term Disability, etc.
  • Major Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Direct Deposit
  • Family Medical Leave (See FMLA)
  • Holidays
  • Jury Duty Leave
  • Life Insurance
  • Military Leave
  • Annual Leave
  • Sick Leave
  • Travel Allowances
  • Uniform and Uniform Maintenance
  • Longevity Pay
  • Stipend Pay
  • Retirement (Public Employee Retirement System-PERS)
  • Educational Assistance
  • Hospital Wing Program

Some benefit programs require contributions from the employee; many are highly supplemented by the City.  Employees are encouraged to review their benefits booklet thoroughly. 

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