Police Officer

Police Officer

Performs protective service and law enforcement work involving a variety of general or support duty police assignments including patrol of assigned areas, accident and crime scene investigations, collection and preservation of physical evidence, follow-up investigations, and special assignments for the purpose of the prevention of crime, apprehension of offenders, which are often performed under emergency conditions and frequently involve considerable personal hazard, and related work as required. Work is performed under the immediate supervision of a Police Sergeant or Police Lieutenant.

Essential Duties of the Position

The following duties are those considered most essential to the position. This does not preclude the delegation of other duties considered as necessary by management to successfully complete an assignment or project.

• Engages in law enforcement patrol functions that include such things as working rotating shifts.
• Patrols streets in a police vehicle or on foot; develops and maintains working rapport with citizens and community leaders in assigned neighborhood; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions; maintains surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions; serves criminal summons, subpoenas and warrants in assigned jurisdiction; makes arrests and transports suspects for processing; provides service to the public; advises citizens on departmental procedures and options available.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, etc.; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Enforces traffic laws; patrols or conducts stationary observation of traffic; utilizes radar to detect speed violations; stops suspicious vehicles for investigation; issues warnings, citations and arrests for violations; uses standard field sobriety tests to determine impairment.
• Investigates accidents and possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses and others in the community and gathering physical evidence; performs investigative tasks, arrests and processes criminal suspects.
• Investigates criminal cases including felonies; secures crime scenes and evidence; gathers and processes physical evidence; prepares cases in consultation with district attorney's office; testifies in trials; performs narcotics, juvenile, arson, computer forensics, crime scene technology, and other specialized investigations.
• Executes warrants; effects an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints, subdues resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons, and resorts to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in self-defense.
• Operates a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions.
• Exercises independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used.
• Communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
• Loads, unloads, aims and fires from a variety of body positions, handguns, shotguns and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.
• Creates special educational, enforcement, or other programs focused on neighborhood needs; works with residents, public officials, other enforcement agencies to carry out special programs. Performs civic functions by providing public education on crime prevention through various programs.
• Prepares investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
• Pursues fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicles; lifting, carrying and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling up oneself over obstacles, jumping down from elevated surfaces, climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.
• Conducts searches of people, vehicles, building and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Conducts visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
• Effectively communicates with people, including juveniles, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes and advising of rights and processes.
• Demonstrates communication skills in court and other formal settings. Endures verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment.
• Performs security functions at special events; assists other law enforcement agencies; maintains order in crowds, attends parades, funerals and other public gatherings; provides assistance, escorts, protects and assists visitors.
• Processes and transports prisoners and committed mental patients using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints.
• Processes arrested suspects to include taking their photographs and obtaining legible inked fingerprint impressions.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging and carrying people away from dangerous situations and securing and evacuating people from particular areas.
• Reads and comprehends legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits and warrants.
• Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
• Performs general field law enforcement duties as required, including traffic control, police patrol, special assignments, emergency duty, crime prevention, and other policing functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Ability to act without direct supervision using independent judgment and discretion in meeting emergency and non-emergency situations; some knowledge of police methods, practices and procedures; some knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Police Department; some knowledge of the geography of the Town and location of important buildings; ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions and to prepare clear reports; ability to deal professionally, courteously and fairly with the public; ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances; skill in the use of firearms and the operation of police vehicles; ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with associates and the general public. High school diploma or GED. Or a combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and skills to complete the essential functions and job responsibilities of this position.

Successful completion of a course in Basic Law Enforcement Training approved by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. Position is subject to emergency callback.

Supplemental Information

This position's physical requirements involve very heavy work which requires occasionally exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and / or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and / or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects, including the human body. Additionally, the following physical abilities may be required : balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and / or walking. Work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), and bloodborne pathogens, and may require wearing specialized personal protective equipment. Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. heavy traffic, large earth-moving equipment).

The Town of Huntersville is committed to providing equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), gender, national origin, religion, disability, military service or veteran status, genetic information or any other classification protected by applicable Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town of Huntersville will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with Human Resources staff.