Job Description and Duties
Police Officer
Purpose of Job:
The purpose of this job is to perform police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation and related law enforcment activities; perfomrs related work as required
Supervision Received:
Works under the general supervision of a Police Corporal or higher classification. May be supervised by higher trained Police Officer in the absence of or until the arrival of a Police Supervisor.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation and first aid at accidents; detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
Works on assigned shift using own judgement in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.
Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County and City laws and ordinances.
Patrols city streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations and to otherwise serve and protect.
Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. and takes appropriate law enforcement action.
Interrogates suspects, witnesses and drivers; preserves evidence, arrests violators, investigates and renders assistance of vehicular accidents; summons ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles; takes measurements and draws diagrams of scenes.
Conducts follow-up investigation of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victims, witnesses and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scenes of crimes for clues. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders.
Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer's Daily Log, reports of investigation, field interrogation reports, alcohol reports, influence reports, bad check forms, vehicle impoundment forms, traffic hazard reports, etc.
Undertakes community oriented police work and assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, etc.
Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, side handle baton, handcuffs, first aid equipment.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job:
Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment; Must possess a valid Tennessee driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any State and maintain throughout employment; No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories; U.S. citizen; Must be able to read and write the English language; ; Must be adaptable to changing educational and training needs to perform in a rapidly advancing police service; Must be able to comply with all of the requirments for a commissioned law enforcment officer as contained in the Tennessee Code Annotated. (successful completion of the psychological profile shall only be determined by a mental health professional designated by the City; Submit to permission of random drug testing according to City Policy.
Minimum Qualifications/Standards Required to Perform Job Functions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is also required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; taste and smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 150 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Communication:
Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange administrative, firefighting and emergency medical information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants. Requires the ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions, instructions, methods and procedures related to the job of Police Officer. Requires the ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.
Knowledge of Job:
By the end of the employee’s first year of employment will have considerable knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the Police Department practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the job of Police Officer. Will have considerable knowledge of Police Department practices as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities. Will know how to develop and administer operations and staff plans and objectives for the expedience and effectiveness of specific duties of the department. Will know how to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities. Is able to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the department. Is able to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner. Has good organizational, human relations, and technical skills. Is able to use independent judgement and work with little direct supervision when necessary. Has the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department. Will be knowledgeable and proficient with computers.