Lateral Police Officer

City of Paducah; Paducah (KY); On-site; USD 27,990 - 34,210; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8 and 10-hour shifts with shift differential pay

Paid vacation and holiday time

Comprehensive health and wellness package

Job summary

The City of Paducah is seeking dedicated law enforcement officers to patrol city areas, responding to emergencies and protecting the community. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and have a valid license.

The position offers a base salary of $31.32 per hour, comprehensive health benefits, and opportunities to work in specialized units like the Bomb Squad and K9 Handler.

Join a team committed to public safety and enforcing the law while contributing positively to community relations.

Qualifications

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• One year of sworn, full-time law enforcement experience is required.
• Must possess a valid operator’s license.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the city to protect lives and property.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Apprehend, arrest, and process criminal violators.

Skills

Knowledge of department policies and procedures

Ability to communicate effectively

Knowledge of safety practices

Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely

Ability to use firearms and specialized police equipment

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

KLEC certification

Job description

Description

Under general supervision, patrols the city and responds to emergency and non‑emergency situations to protect lives and property (e.g., investigate crimes, apprehend criminals, resolve conflicts, regulate traffic, prevent crime, assist and educate the public).

Illustrative Duties

• Patrols the city and protects lives and property.
• Enforces laws and prevents crimes.
• Monitors traffic conditions and flow, operates radar, and issues citations.
• Responds to accidents and monitors school zones.
• Maintains visibility to establish police presence.
• Settles or calms interpersonal disputes.
• Responds to a variety of emergency and non‑emergency situations, accidents, confrontations, injuries, and complaints.
• Secures and processes crime scenes and interviews complainants, witnesses, suspects, and victims.
• Obtains witness reports, collects evidence, and prepares files and reports.
• Apprehends, arrests, and processes criminal violators.
• Serves warrants, appears, and testifies in courts of law.
• Transports prisoners.
• Performs various Community‑Oriented Policing functions, including attending community meetings and giving public safety demonstrations.
• Operates a police vehicle and radio.
• Works closely with other law enforcement officers regarding suspects, witnesses, victims, and related criminal investigations.
• Records daily activities in logs and prepares reports on activities and investigations.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Benefits

• 8 and 10‑hour shifts with shift differential pay – $0.50/hr. for afternoon shifts and $1.00/hr. for night shift
• Paid vacation and holiday time
• Clothing allowance
• Comprehensive health and wellness package
• Opportunity for a take‑home vehicle
• Special team opportunities:
  • Bomb Squad
  • K9 Handler
  • SWAT Team
  • Collision Reconstruction
  • Digital Forensics
  • Crisis Negotiation
  • Honor Guard
  • Drone Unit

Base Salary Description (Includes State Incentive Pay)

$31.32 hourly, $65,145.60 annually (plus incentives of $4,653.00 for a new officer, making the annual pay $69,798.60).

Salary after Incentives – Salaries for lateral candidates depend on experience, years of service, and the current contract.

• 3 years of comparable service: $68,556.80
• 5 years of comparable service: $71,968.00
• 10 years of comparable service: $75,566.40

Requirements

Must be at least twenty‑one (21) years of age and have one year of sworn, full‑time law enforcement experience. Must complete and pass a Kentucky Standard POPS test with the Paducah Police Department and obtain KLEC certification or reciprocity. Must possess a valid operator’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle; must successfully undergo a fingerprint check through the Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; must be able to identify the colors red, green and yellow; must have standard visual acuity – not less than 20/40 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye without correction, not less than 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other eye with correction; if served in the military, must possess a conditional or an honorable discharge; must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language; must be a person of good moral character, good reputation in the community in which he/she lives, law‑abiding and loyal to the United States government.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of department policies and procedures and federal, state, and local laws relating to law enforcement.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures, public relations, interview techniques, and patrol procedures.
• Knowledge of traffic control procedures and crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Ability to recognize unusual, emergency, or threatening situations and take appropriate action.
• Ability to demonstrate endurance (mental and physical).
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner.
• The ability to use firearms and specialized police equipment.
• Knowledge of arrest process and procedures.

Must maintain the physical ability to successfully pass the Essential Job Function test for the position.