Entry Level Police Officer

Oak Park Police Department; Oak Park (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Park Police Department seeks qualified officers to patrol designated areas, deter crime, and respond to a wide range of public safety calls. You will assist in traffic control, investigations, and community outreach to enhance safety and trust within Oak Park.

The role emphasizes accurate reporting, cooperation with agencies, and adherence to department policies. Strong communication and decision-making under pressure are essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of police methods including patrol, prevention and traffic control.
• Knowledge of criminal law and evidence procedures.
• Knowledge of weapon nomenclature and firearm safety.
• First aid knowledge and basic life support.
• Ability to observe, remember details and communicate clearly.
• Ability to prepare clear written reports and testify in court.

Responsibilities

• Patrol a designated area to preserve law and order and enforce laws.
• Respond to calls including disturbances, crimes and accidents.
• Process and present evidence and conduct investigations.
• Direct traffic at events and emergencies; manage scenes safely.
• Prepare reports on arrests, activities and incidents; cooperate with agencies.

Skills

Observation accuracy

Written communication

Public safety mindset

Emergency action

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Union: Fraternal Order of Police

FLSA: Non-exempt

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform a variety a variety of duties in the prevention of crimes; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from higher level supervisory and management staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Patrol a designated area of the Village to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and arrest offenders; check buildings for physical security.
2. Respond to general public service calls and complaints including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property and violent crimes, automobile accidents, and related misdemeanor and felony incidents.
3. Collect, process, photograph and present evidence including fingerprints, fibers, blood and related physical evidence.
4. Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; check speed with radar; issue warnings and citations.
5. Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
6. Investigate traffic accidents; conduct investigations of serious injury and fatality traffic accidents.
7. Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
8. Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public; take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.
9. Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed.
10. Investigate crimes; gather and preserve evidence; interview victims, complainants and witnesses; identify and interrogate suspects; apprehend and arrest offenders; testify and present evidence in court.
11. Promote the Department's community-based policing strategy through delivery of quality services to members of the community and through positive interactions between police officers and citizens; to open up channels for the exchange of information and ideas.
12. Seek and find ways to solve community problems and affirmatively promote, preserve and foster feelings of security and safety.

Other important responsibilities and duties

1. Maintain custody of prisoners; transfer prisoners to jail.
2. May conduct a variety of criminal investigations involving crimes against persons and property, auto theft, white collar crime, and narcotics; conduct covert and undercover investigations as assigned; gather evidence and prepare cases for prosecution.
3. May serve as Training Coordinator' maintain training files; develop training programs; coordinate outside trainings programs with agencies and jurisdictions; review and evaluate current and future training programs.
4. May serve as Crime Prevention Officer; oversee and coordinate crime prevention activities; make presentations to local citizens and community groups.
5. May serve as Evidence Technician; process crime scenes for evidence, etc.
6. May serve as Youth Officer; process juvenile offenders, etc.
7. May serve as field training officer - Teach, guide, observe and evaluate recruit officers, etc.
8. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS - Required at the time of hire or learned within a short period of time in order to perform the essential duties

Knowledge of:

• Police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques.
• Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the seizure and preservation of evidence.
• Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory.
• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment.
• First aid principles, practices and techniques.
• Self-defense tactics.
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Departmental rules and regulations, policies, procedures and directives.

Ability to:

• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places.
• Use and properly care for firearms.
• Understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct written reports.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and take necessary emergency action.
• Identify potential crime situations or traffic hazards and take preventive actions
• Meet the first aid requirement as prescribed by the State of Illinois.
• Learn the operation of standard equipment and facilities required in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Meet the physical requirements established by the Department.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.