Police Officer

Police Officer

The City of Sequim is seeking a Police Officer. The base wage range for this position is $37.11 - $45.89 per hour. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, employees will start at the lower end of the salary range. This position is eligible for longevity pay, which entitles the employee to a 2% pay increase for every five years employed at the City, to a maximum of 8% after 20+ years. This position is also eligible for education pay, which entitles the employee to a 2% pay increase for an Associates Degree or a 4% pay increase for a Bachelors Degree. Taking these numbers into account, the salary for this position could ultimately range from $37.11 - $51.40 per hour, with the upper pay appropriate for an employee with a Bachelors Degree with 20+ years of longevity.

A Police Officers primary responsibility is to maintain peace, safety and order and to protect life and property through impartial enforcement of federal, state and local laws. Under the direction of a Sergeant or command staff, the Police Officer is responsible for protecting lives and property within his / her jurisdiction. It is important for officers to maintain a high public profile in order to deter criminal behavior.

This is a non-supervisory position; however, he / she may be responsible for providing guidance, training and evaluation to new recruits and reserve police officers. A police officer will be required to work any days of the week including Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and will be subject to shift assignment and / or rotation. Civil Service rules of the City shall apply to the Police Officer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Police Officers will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a supervisor.

• Operates a motor vehicle for extended periods of time in all environmental conditions and on occasion operates the vehicle at high speeds and in congested traffic situations.
• Patrols city limits from a patrol car or on foot or bicycle to monitor activity.
• Directs traffic in congested and emergency areas; reports safety hazards.
• Responds to scenes of collisions, investigates cause, and takes enforcement action.
• Responds to the scenes of crimes, traffic collisions and accidents, searching for and preserving evidence.
• Interviews victims, witnesses and potential suspects.
• Patrols and examines buildings and residences to detect suspicious conditions.
• Monitors and enforces traffic laws and safety ordinances within a prescribed jurisdiction.
• Issues criminal citations and infractions.
• Identifies and eliminates hazards to public safety.
• Detects and / or prevents criminal activities.
• Apprehends individuals suspected of unlawful activity, while observing constitutional and legal guidelines.
• Responds to calls for service and assistance from citizens.
• Conducts detailed investigations, identify and interview witnesses, victims and suspects, and gather information that pertains to suspected criminal activities.
• Records information related to daily patrol activities and prepares reports based on this information to aid in the prosecution of offenders.
• Prepares reports pertaining to arrests and investigations.
• Appears in court to testify as needed.
• Provides first aid as needed.
• Conducts light preventative maintenance on departmental equipment.
• May conduct follow-up investigations based upon reports and other data compiled by department personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

An applicant must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. An Associates degree from an accredited academic institution is highly desired. Attendance at and graduation from the Washington State Basic Police Academy is required by State law, however this will be covered as an employee of the City.

Must be able to pass Washington State standards for police officers, have the ability and willingness to maintain strict confidentiality, and be able to read, understand and interpret ordinances, laws, and other operating procedures and to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

CPR, AED and first aid certification, qualification in the use of firearms, and training in the use of specialized police equipment, such as radar and breathalyzer machines is required. Maintaining a valid Washington State drivers license throughout employment, along with proof of insurability is required. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the field training program and probation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Excellent skills in interpersonal relations and communication, with a high level of maturity, emotional stability and the ability to exercise sound judgment under stress, particularly in crisis situations.

Ability to respond to varying situations with tact and diplomacy and know how to deal with stressful, hostile or irrational persons, whether due to physical or mental disability, drugs, socio-economic differences, or other factors.

Ability to maintain objective approaches to problems under unfamiliar and unpleasant conditions; ability to display a pleasant and professional demeanor when in contact with citizens to establish a positive public image.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of all information acquired in the discharge of his / her duties.

Ability to maintain personal health and good physical condition, overall stamina and ability to perform moderate to strenuous physical activity, is a basic job qualification.

Skill when encountering emergency situations that require rapid evacuation of an area in order to avoid personal injury or to provide assistance to individuals.

Physical dexterity to manipulate standard police equipment, conduct coherent voice communication in person as well as via portable radio and telephone, frequently use a computer with a typing speed of no less than 25 words per minute, operate a motor vehicle, and two-way radio (including from field situations). Vision sufficient to perform all duties, able to hear alarms and audibly identify the presence of a danger or hazard.

Ability to read and interpret ordinances, laws and other operating procedures and to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

In daily contact with employees of the City and citizens of the community, the ability to present him / herself in a manner favorable to the City in all contacts with individuals, agencies, courts, jurisdictions, businesses and residences.

Working conditions include performing normal duties in inclement or severe weather conditions and / or natural or manmade disasters. The employee may have exposure to hazards such as chemicals, insect stings, and temperature extremes. The employee may also have exposure to blood, communicable diseases (i.e. blood borne / air borne pathogens), filthy, and unsanitary conditions. A Police Officer may expect to encounter irrational, ill, hostile or violent individuals and may be subject to verbal and / or physical attack or assault from such individuals, or may have gunfire directed at him / her. A Police Officer may be required to investigate and be exposed to violent crime scenes, and / or tragic injuries or deaths. The individual serving in this capacity will be required to use a firearm and specialized protective equipment (i.e., body armor) or generalized protective equipment (i.e., rubber or plastic gloves). The employee will routinely encounter emergency situations that may require rapid evacuation of an area in order and must therefore have the physical ability to walk, run, push or lift. A Police Officer must also have the physical and emotional capabilities to engage in physical altercations and confrontations and to subdue or calm a combative individual, and to rescue victims. A Police Officer will be required to operate a City patrol car safely and efficiently. A Police Officer is subject to shift rotation, and may be required to work overtime as the need arises. Subpoenaed appearances in court to testify in the prosecution of individuals charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses is a regular and ongoing occurrence, and such appearances may be required during a Police Officers day(s) off, or before or after a regularly scheduled work shift. Police Officers may be placed in a stand-by (subject to call) status.

Benefits

The City of Sequim offers employees a comprehensive benefits package. Please Note : Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees may not be eligible for the below benefits with the exception of mandatory sick leave.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions :

All Washington Teamsters Welfare Trust benefits are 87.5% paid by Employer / 12.5% paid by Employee.

Retirement Plans :