Police Officer

Overview

This is responsible Police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work involves prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes and for maintaining law and order. Duties also consist of patrolling an assigned area, traffic regulation and direction, and involvement in crash, criminal, and other types of investigations. Duties may entail special assignments. Work involves an element of personal danger and may be performed in an automobile, on a motorcycle, or on foot during an assigned shift. Assignments are received from superior officers and are carried out under established policies and procedures. Employees in this class must exercise considerable judgment and skill in handling emergencies. Performance is reviewed through conferences, handwritten and computer-written reports, inspections, and observations by superiors.

Responsibilities

• Patrols a designated area of the City to preserve law and order, to prevent and detect the commission of crime, and to enforce traffic regulations.
• Responds to calls and complaints involving traffic accidents, misdemeanors, felonies, property crimes, crimes against persons, and disputes and takes necessary police action.
• Serves warrants and makes arrests.
• Conducts investigations at crime scenes, gathers evidence, locates and questions witnesses, takes detailed statements from witnesses and suspects, and testifies as a witness in court proceedings.
• Investigates traffic accidents and administers first aid.
• Investigates crimes and incidents and files cases with the State Attorney's Office.
• Demonstrates proficiency in using and caring for firearms and other police equipment.
• Supports and implements the community-oriented policing concept.
• Prepares written police reports, memorandums, and other correspondence.
• Enforces State, Federal, and local laws and ordinances.
• Makes decisions and takes actions in stressful and dangerous situations taking into account legal, policy, and safety factors.
• Requires active work that involves walking, running, and standing most of the time, exerting up to 150 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.
• Requires the ability to work 12 or 8.4 hour shifts, both midnight or day shifts, as determined by department needs.
• Requires the ability to wear / carry up to 30 lbs. of equipment continuously.
• Requires the ability to operate a vehicle in normal and emergency conditions, daytime, night-time, and adverse weather and have a valid Florida Driver's License or have the ability to obtain one prior to hiring.
• Requires dexterity and grip strength to operate law enforcement equipment such as firearms, handcuffs, radios, batons, and personal protective equipment (PPE), including an air-purifying respirator.
• Requires the ability to wear and / or operate personal protective equipment as required, including, but not limited to, belts, ballistic vests, ballistic shields, and ballistic helmets.
• Requires the ability to sit and stand for prolonged periods.
• Meets Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) requirements, including moral character (Florida Rule 11B-27.0011).
• Hearing ability sufficiently to understand radio transmissions and conversations with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Speaking ability sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person, over the telephone, and over the radio.
• Must be able to pass mandated psychological testing to perform duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Visual ability sufficient to operate a police vehicle both day and night, observe criminal actions and traffic violations, read and write reports and correspondence, etc.
• Required to work overtime, or alternate hours, as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Emergency and Essential.
• May serve as Acting Police Sergeant when assigned.
• This role has emergency response responsibilities and may be considered essential during an emergency event. This position is subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than normal work locations, and may include duties other than specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, as established in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mental Demands

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The job risks exposure to pathogens, extreme hot / cold temperatures, diverse weather conditions, heights, violence, dusts, pollens, traffic, and electricity. Work may require exposure to hazardous conditions and noxious chemicals.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Performs other related duties as assigned. All City of Bartow employees are considered EOC essential in times of emergency. An e-role will be provided to each employee when an emergency is declared.

As a City of Bartow employee, you are a public servant of a local entity and are responsible to adhere to the Florida State Statute governing the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees Florida State Statute Chapter 112. Additionally, all Bartow employees are subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida State Statutes which governs public records.

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