Police Officer
Performs protective service work patrolling the City, responding to service requests, enforcing laws and ordinances, making arrests, testifying in court, preparing records and files, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Police Sergeant.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions
- On an assigned shift, operates a patrol vehicle or walks to observe for violations of criminal and traffic laws, suspicious activities, or persons, and disturbances of law and order.
- Responds to radio dispatches and answers calls and complaints; explains and enforces applicable State and local laws and ordinances.
- Interviews witnesses, victims, and suspects to obtain additional necessary information regarding crimes, accidents, violations, etc.; helps investigate crimes and collect evidence; conducts searches.
- Enforce traffic laws; issues citations for traffic violations and investigates traffic accidents; completes seatbelt surveys in certain locations to view problem areas.
- Provides police escorts, directs traffic; performs residential and commercial checks; attempts to reduce law infractions and accidents through high visibility.
- Serves warrants, summons, civil and criminal papers, etc.; attends and testifies in court; discusses cases with the Commonwealth Attorney.
- Detains, arrests, transports, and/or escorts suspects and evidence to the appropriate facility with due regard for safety.
- Ensures vehicle is properly maintained and performs vehicle inspections; maintains individual equipment.
- Prepares detailed reports on activities and assignments; completes court paperwork, accident reports, witness subpoenas, arrest records, fingerprints, photographs, etc.; complete miscellaneous community service reports such as seatbelt surveys, speed surveys, citizen questionnaires, etc.
- Participates in a variety of in-service and special training programs.
- Assists other law enforcement agencies when requested or assigned; may be assigned to investigation, animal control, DARE, schools, or other technical or special support operations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
General knowledge of law enforcement methods, practices, and procedures; general knowledge of the geography of the City and location of important buildings; general knowledge of applicable local, Federal, and State laws; general knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Police Department; skill in the use of firearms and the operation of an automobile; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form; ability to prepare clear comprehensive reports; ability to deal courteously, firmly, and tactfully with the public; ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action with due regard to hazards and circumstances; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other law enforcement officials, medical personnel, legal personnel, and general public.
Education and Experience
High school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Physical Requirements
This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires sitting, lifting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, tasting or smelling and pushing or pulling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, frequently requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts and working in high, precarious places; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
Special Requirements
Obtain Law Enforcement Officer Certification within one year. Must meet and maintain all department, State and Federal training and education requirements for the position. Must be eligible to obtain a valid driver’s license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.