Police Officer Recruit
General Statement & Essential Job Functions
Under close supervision, this position serves as the entry level trainee classification where employees are required to attend and successfully complete a Police Academy to learn the proper procedures and policies in law enforcement and crime prevention. Reports to a Police Training Sergeant.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Learns techniques to evaluate situations and determines the most appropriate course of action including pursuing or apprehending suspects; interviewing victims, witnesses, suspects, and other contact persons; crime scene and evidence preservation.
Studies various criminal activities requiring law enforcement intervention such as homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, property crimes, domestic violence, narcotics related activities, crimes by and against juveniles, and other crimes.
Studies guidelines to present court testimony and maintain associated case files; becomes familiar with completing forms, preparing reports, and correspondence.
Performs other duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations. Shares knowledge with staff for mutual and departmental benefit.
Critical Thinking - Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Communication – Ability to communicate ideas effectively, including the preparation of reports and logs. Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented verbally and in writing.
Judgment & Decision Making – Ability to anticipate, identify and evaluate potentially dangerous, unusual or deviating situations and to exercise appropriate judgment to establish priorities and take prompt action for problem resolution. Evaluates the best method of research and then exercising appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Education, Experience & Special Requirements
Graduation from high school or GED or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Shall have reached his/her 21st birthday by the time of their Department of Criminal Justice Services Certification.
Must pass an initial written test and physical agility.
Requires satisfactory results from a medical, psychological evaluation and pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.
A valid Virginia's driver's license prior to employment with an acceptable driving record to include a zero or positive point balance and are required to refrain from the use of tobacco.
Must obtain and maintain for continued employment U.S. Citizenship prior to appointment as a Police Officer; all State requirements for Police Officers as specified in Virginia Code; all federal and state requirements to carry a firearm; and may require certifications such as Breathalyzer certification.
Must be able to wear a standard issued duty belt with all applicable instrumentation.
Must successfully complete a certified Basic Law Enforcement Academy and associated field training within one year of employment.
Additional training may be necessary to meet the requirements of some division assignments.
Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state and federal criminal history check; sex offender registry and credit check.
Physical Demands
Physical Requirements- Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, a variety of firearms and defense devices, a two-way radio, typewriter, calculator, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical requirements of the job are those rated for Medium Work.
Data Conception- Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communications- Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions and/or directions to the general public. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors.
Language Ability - Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, records and memorandums. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, clarity, voice control, and confidence.
Intelligence- Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid and coherent conclusions. Requires the ability to access critical situations and establish methods to resolve such situations in absence of direct supervision.
Verbal Aptitude - Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including legal and medical terminology, and emergency response codes.
Numerical Aptitude - Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages, as well as interpret graphs.
Form/Spatial Aptitude - Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Motor Coordination- Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated weaponry. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
Manual Dexterity- Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, weapons, etc. Must have high levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination- Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament - Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations.
Physical Communication - Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via two-way radio.