Police Officer

Position may be filled as Police Officer I or II dependent upon experience.

Lateral transfers may be eligible to receive compensation for LEO experience on a year for year basis.

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; to conduct and participate in general investigations of crimes, accidents, and cases; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; to serve as Patrol Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer, S.W.A.T. Team Officer, K-9 Officer, Motor Officer, Traffic Officer, D.A.R.E. Officer, or School Resource Officer; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Department. This position is a merit employee position that has the protections found in Utah Code §10-3-1105(1)(a).

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order; discover and prevent the commission of crimes; check property for physical security.
• Respond to public service calls and complaints including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property control, automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanor and felony incidents.
• Investigate crimes and suspicious circumstances; collect, process, photograph and preserve evidence including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; identify and interrogate suspects; apprehend and arrest offenders; testify and present evidence in court.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the public; take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.
• Take custody of lost and found property.
• Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.
• Book prisoners in jail; assist in the custody, care, and welfare of prisoners; transport prisoners.
• Furnish information and directions to the public.
• Participate in training courses and programs.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

When assigned to Patrol Officer:

• Perform general police work in the protection of life and liberty.
• Prevent crime; arrest criminals; enforce local, State, and Federal laws.
• Patrol designated areas of the city in a vehicle and on foot.
• Inspect, report, and correct conditions which may lead to criminal activity or pose a societal problem.
• Provide the public with safety information; give advice on laws or ordinances.
• Prepare written reports on criminal matters or civil problems.
• Perform criminal investigations.
• Perform specialized duties requiring application of abilities and knowledge acquired through experience.

When assigned to Detective:

• Perform detailed investigations into all criminal matters.
• Investigate the identification of criminals and their prosecution.
• Conduct interviews of suspects, witnesses, and victims.
• Prepare supplemental reports for criminal matters.
• File cases with the District Attorney's Office.
• Pick up and transport all paperwork and files to the District Attorney's Office.
• Serve subpoenas.

When assigned to Field Training Officer:

• Provide continual training and supervision to new Police Officers.
• Perform continual training exercises to maintain a constant level of proficiency.
• Provide verbal information and written evaluations regarding the status of new Officers in training.
• Coordinate the activities of the Field Training Officer Program with other Field Training Officers.
• Perform duties of Patrol Officer.

When assigned to S.W.A.T. Officer:

• Resolve high risk or high threat situations that involve hostile criminals.
• Perform continual training with other S.W.A.T. Team members in order to maintain a high level of competence and effectiveness.

When assigned to K-9 Officer:

• Perform specialized duties involving a police canine.
• Assume responsibility for the effective use and deployment of police canine during narcotics searches, contraband searches, and searches for suspects involved in crimes.
• Perform continual training in order to maintain a high level of effectiveness with the police canine.
• Perform all duties of a Patrol Officer.

When assigned to Traffic or Motor Officer:

• Patrol a designated area of the city in a police traffic vehicle and/or motorcycle, as assigned.
• Enforce motor vehicle operation and parking regulations.
• Enforce city, state, and federal laws, especially those pertaining to traffic related issues.
• Perform drunk driving and commercial vehicle checkpoints.
• Perform all duties of a Patrol Officer.

When assigned to D.A.R.E. Officer:

• Teach D.A.R.E. program classes and provide instruction to students regarding the abuse of drugs and alcohol.
• Design and instruct various safety programs and coordinate and supervise school children.
• Provide both students and citizens a positive relationship with the Police department.

When assigned to School Resource Officer:

• Conduct preliminary investigations of cases involving school property, students, faculty, or staff.
• Interact with patrol, investigations, and other law enforcement agencies to share information and work together on matters of mutual concern.
• Perform prevention patrols on school campuses.
• Act as liaison and resource between law enforcement community, other governmental agencies, and schools.
• Educate school faculty and administrators on law enforcement matters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Must be at least 21 years of age on date offer of employment is extended.

Education: High school diploma or GED. Two years of college desirable.

Experience: No experience required.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Utah Driver's License
• Possession of POST Basic Law Enforcement Certification; or possession of Special Function Officer (SFO) Certification and currently enrolled in POST Basic Law Enforcement Certification training course.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Functions and objectives of Federal, State, and other local law enforcement agencies.
• Basic principles of criminal law.
• Principles and practices of community policing.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill with:

• Learning to operate firearms and other modern police equipment.
• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Operating a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

• Learn modern police methods and procedures related to patrol, apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, traffic control, and investigation and identification techniques.
• Learn modern investigative methods including interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Learn law enforcement theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.
• Learn local geography, city streets, public buildings, and businesses.
• Learn recent court decisions and how they affect department and division operations.
• Learn self-defense tactics.
• Learn, properly interpret, and make decisions in accordance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations particularly with reference to apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, evidence, and records maintenance, and traffic control.
• Learn to gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence.
• Learn, interpret, and explain city and department policies and procedures.
• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Meet and deal with the public tactfully and effectively.
• Meet the physical requirements necessary as outlined in General Directive No. 007, Physical Fitness Standard Guidelines, to perform the assigned duties safely and effectively.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 75% of body weight; exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations; availability for shift work.

Due to the nature of this position, the incumbent places his or her life and personal safety at risk.