Police Officer

A police officer's work involves patrolling 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, and enforcement of laws and ordinances. A police officer must be able to act without direct supervision using independent judgment and discretion in meeting emergency and non-emergency situations. Work is performed under the immediate supervision of a Sergeant or Lieutenant.

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.

• 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.
• Performs investigations of 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.
• Conducts investigations of 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.
• Effects an arrest forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints, subdues resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort 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.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as apparent or assigned.

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 oral 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.

Successful completion of a course in Basic Law Enforcement Training approved by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. Possession of a driver's license a valid in the State of North Carolina.

High school diploma or GED or equivalent combination of education and experience.

This work requires the occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; 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; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and / or small parts, use of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather) and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. heavy traffic, large earth-moving equipment).

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