Patrol Officer (Certified)

Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA); Lewes (DE); On-site; USD 61,088 - 74,663; Full time

Job summary

The Delaware River & Bay Authority (DRBA) seeks a Patrol Officer (Certified) to serve at all locations (New Castle, DE; Cape May, NJ; Lewes, DE). The 2025 certified new hire salary is $67,876 (annualized) with $69,763 after FTO completion.

Opening date is April 20, 2026, with the position open until filled. Responsibilities include responding to calls for service, enforcing traffic and criminal laws, and conducting patrols.

Qualifications

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must be at least twenty‑one (21) years of age.
• Must possess a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.
• Vision limits: uncorrected 20/200; corrected to 20/20; color vision required.

Responsibilities

• Respond to calls for service and enforce laws.
• Patrol and operate police vehicles on routine duty.
• Write reports and maintain daily logs.
• Conduct investigations and collect evidence for prosecution purposes.
• Provide professional public service and assist the public as needed.

Skills

Laws & procedures

Communication

Emergency driving

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

PATROL OFFICER (CERTIFIED)

All Locations (New Castle, DE; Cape May, NJ; Lewes, DE)

2025 Certified New Hire Salary $67,876 (Annualized)

2025 FTO Completion $69,763 (Annualized)

Opening Date: April 20, 2026  Closing Date: Until Filled

POSITION SUMMARY

The general responsibilities of a Patrol Officer include responding to calls for service, enforcing traffic and criminal laws, and operating police vehicles when on routine patrol.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage in interpersonal communications with the public and co‑workers by promoting a professional and courteous environment
• Participate with co‑workers and supervisors in the advancement of the troop's goals and objectives
• Complete assigned and self‑initiated workloads
• Efficiently analyze and organize information and evidence obtained during traffic and criminal investigations for prosecution purposes
• Deliver emergency services to the public by responding to calls for service safely and promptly and by providing assistance to those in need
• Protect the public, co‑workers and themselves from harm and injury by following established safety and security practices and by correcting and/or reporting safety and/or security hazards or risks
• Responsible for the entire arrest procedure including examining, handcuffing, conducting a field search and guarding the arrestee to prevent escape or suicide
• Exercise discretion in the use of deadly and non‑deadly force
• Arraign a defendant and testify in court
• Make NCIC, DELJIS, SCIC and CAD inquiries and conduct a full traffic collision investigation (interview witnesses, sketch and measure collision scenes, determine contributing factors and identify violations, etc.)
• Enforce motor vehicle laws
• Maintain physical ability necessary to engage in physical confrontations using offensive and defensive tactics to subdue combative subjects
• Work a 12‑hour rotating shift and adapt to irregular working conditions
• Write reports of various types, including traffic reports, summonses and arrest reports
• Identify public utility problems and report other road hazards
• Assist motorists in need of assistance or in performing traffic direction and control
• Utilize a variety of equipment, including an automobile, communications equipment, baton, breath testing instrument, computer terminal, fire extinguisher, flashlight, handcuffs, portable radio, police car radio, radar/laser unit, semi‑automatic pistol, shotgun, body armor and photographic equipment
• Instruct suspects on obtaining an attorney, enforce court orders, respond to civil disputes, and testify in Family Court
• Prepare search warrants, collect evidence, and inventory stolen property
• Stand/walk continuously for more than half the work shift and walk on narrow, elevated surfaces as required
• Prepare interdepartmental memorandums and daily operational reports, and maintain daily logs
• Clean and inspect firearms and perform random equipment inspections
• Provide superior customer service by responding in a courteous and efficient manner

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of laws and departmental rules, regulations, and procedures as well as other resource materials
• Knowledge of weapon craft and demonstration of usable knowledge of court decisions
• Skill in the use of firearms and non‑lethal weapons
• Ability to drive in both emergency and non‑emergency conditions
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing, cope with stressful situations, evaluate a situation, respond correctly and apply appropriate discretion and common sense; provide excellent customer service

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a United States citizen
• Must be at least twenty‑one (21) years of age
• Must possess a high school diploma or a GED equivalent
• Minimum uncorrected vision not greater than 20/200 in each eye and correctable with lenses to 20/20 in each eye; able to distinguish between the colors of red, green and amber
• Height and weight in proper proportion; must be in excellent cardiovascular physical condition

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• One (1) year of satisfactory employment as a full‑time Certified Police Officer; two (2) years preferred

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of at least sixty (60) college credits from an accredited institution; OR at least two (2) years of active‑duty military service with an honorable discharge

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

• Applicant must have a current valid driver's license and at least one (1) year of driving experience; reinstatement of any prior suspension or revocation must be completed for eligibility
• Certified police officer status (evaluation of academy courses and hours will be conducted)

CRIMINAL RECORD AND ACTIVITY

• Any felony conviction is an automatic disqualification; arrests resulting in conviction must be pardoned prior to application submission
• Applicants are encouraged to apply for expungement of any past arrests that were not convicted

DRUG USAGE

• Any illegal drug use within two years prior to application, or any prior use of a hallucinogenic drug, is an automatic disqualification; all other drug use is subject to review

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Candidates will undergo a background investigation, pre‑employment physical, drug testing, fitness testing, psychological testing, and a medical/criminal polygraph
• All employees must have direct deposit with a financial institution or enroll in the payroll card program to receive biweekly pay

To apply, complete the online application at www.drba.net and optionally attach a resume.

The Delaware River & Bay Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.