Entry Level Police Officer

City of Alton; Alton (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alton Police Department invites applications for a Police Officer to perform general law enforcement duties including patrol, traffic control, preliminary investigations, and response to emergencies.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to work independently while following department policies. Residency within the stated counties is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Age 21–35 (45 if honorably discharged from the military).
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Residency within specified Illinois/Missouri counties within 90 days after probation.
• Must pass background, physical, and psychological evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated City area to preserve law and order.
• Answers calls and investigates complaints, disturbances, welfare checks, and reported criminal activities.
• Gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, prepares investigative data for prosecution, and testifies in court.
• Investigates accidents; provides first aid; interviews drivers and witnesses; takes preventive measures.
• Performs traffic control and issues citations; serves arrest warrants.
• Performs business and school safety checks.
• Conducts extended criminal investigations under supervision.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Valid Driver's License

Emergency response

Analytical thinking

Written & spoken communication

Geography knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

Age 21–35 (45 if military discharge)

Residency within specified counties

Basic Law Enforcement Course completion

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Police Officer position has the responsibility for general police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work involves general police assignments, including field patrol, preliminary complaint and criminal investigation, traffic control, and accident investigation duties in a designated area on an assigned shift. Duties involve an element of personal danger and require that employees often act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies. Assignments could include investigative work as an investigator. Duty assignments are performed in accordance with established policies, rules, and regulations. General instructions are received from a superior officer who reviews work methods and results through reports, personal inspections, personal observations, and discussions.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patrols a designated City area to preserve law and order.
• Answers calls and investigates complaints, disturbances, family disputes, welfare checks, suspicious activities, and reported criminal activities.
• Gathers evidence, processes and photographs crime and accidents scenes, obtains victim/witness/suspect statements, makes arrests or resolves minor problems directly; prepares investigative data, prosecution request forms, and investigative reports for prosecution; testifies as a witness in court.
• Investigates accidents; provides first aid to injured; takes safeguards to prevent further accidents; interviews drivers, passengers, and witnesses; takes necessary preventive or corrective measures.
• Performs traffic control duties; apprehends violators and issues traffic citations, serves outstanding arrest warrants.
• Performs business and school safety checks.
• Performs extended criminal investigation work under the direction of a superior officer.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of all.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to take emergency courses of action.
• Good general intelligence and emotional stability with the ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; and able to write and speak effectively.
• Extensive knowledge of the geography of the general area and road network
• Extensive knowledge of departmental policies, rules, regulations, federal/state law, city ordinances, admissible evidence, prosecution of persons, and the limitation of departmental authority.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited high school or the possession of a GED Certificate for high school awarded by a state or the United States Government.
• Age 21 not yet 35 (45 if honorably discharged from the military)
• Valid Driver's License
• Residency: Must be willing to establish and maintain their principle domicile within the counties of: Illinois – Madison, Jersey, Macoupin, St Clair; Missouri – St Louis, St Charles within 90 days after probationary period.
• Physical: Vision (in both eyes) not impaired more than 20/60 correctable to 20/20, and normal color perception, proven by appropriate tests.
• No physical disability or limitation which would prohibit the performance of assigned duties.
• Applicants must meet the physical, mental, and psychological requirements of the position and shall be required to maintain good physical condition so they can handle the strenuous physical contacts often required of a law enforcement officer.
• A comprehensive background investigation will be completed by the Alton Police Department.
• Applicants must successfully complete the Basic Law Enforcement Course as certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board during probationary period.
• Must successfully complete a twelve (12) month probationary period, plus any time spent at the Basic Law Enforcement Course.
• Must meet departmental firearms qualifications.

Job Title: Police Officer
Department: Police Reports To: Police Chief
Status: Full Time/PBPA-Patrol Union FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly Updated: May 2022

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be constructed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing the duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level or difficulty.