POLICE OFFICER

New-Castle-County-Government; Delaware; On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

New Castle County police officers perform general duty police work to protect life and property throughout the County. The role includes patrol assignments, investigations, and enforcing laws, with opportunities for advancement and merit increases.

Officers may be certified locally or via out-of-state credentials, and must meet stringent physical and background requirements. The county emphasizes equal opportunity employment and career progression.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level education is not required if alternative qualifications are met; at least 21 years old upon academy completion.
• Possession of an Associate's Degree or 60 credit hours or equivalent military education.
• POST certification or out-of-state certification with requisite experience.
• Military service credits may substitute for formal education where applicable.
• Five years of progressively responsible work experience may satisfy qualification requirements.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas and enforce state laws and county regulations.
• Investigate disturbances, crimes, and accidents; make arrests and issue summonses as needed.
• Direct traffic, assist motorists, and provide escort services for dignitaries or oversized loads.
• Conduct preliminary investigations and follow departmental rules and regulations.
• Attend courts and prepare reports; accompany prisoners to headquarters or court.
• Maintain public order at crowds, parades, and public gatherings.

Skills

Observation

Situational awareness

Decision making

Physical fitness

Communication

Education

Associate's Degree or 60 college credits

Two years military service + 30 credits

Four years military service + honorable discharge

Delaware POST certification

Out-of-state certification with 2 years experience + 30 credits

Five years progressive work experience

Job description

In accordance with the Merit System Rules and Regulations, an eligible list, which will be valid for a one-year period and which will be used to fill vacancies during that period, is being established for this classification. Applicants on the eligible list will be certified in accordance with the Merit System and appropriate union contracts.

New employees are generally hired at the starting salary and may be eligible for merit increases each year upon receipt of a satisfactory performance evaluation, up to the maximum salary.

New Castle County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Performs general duty police work in the protection of life and property throughout the County; prevents violation of statutes and ordinances; investigates and suppresses disturbances; investigates complaints; makes arrests and issues summonses when appropriate; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: An employee in this class performs work consisting of varied police assignments. Usually, a Police Officer is assigned to a patrol platoon or other police unit and conducts investigations as directed by a superior officer; performs routine preliminary investigations and miscellaneous duties performed in accordance with departmental rules and regulations, directives and Delaware law. This employee is required to exercise initiative and discretion when faced with emergency conditions.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative only)

• Enforces State laws and County regulations;
• Patrols an assigned area during a specific period in motorized police equipment;
• Checks doors and windows and examines premises of unoccupied buildings or residences in order to detect suspicious conditions;
• Subdues combatants and arrests dangerous criminals;
• Investigates suspicious conditions and complaints and makes arrests of persons who violate laws and ordinances;
• Accompanies prisoners to headquarters, jail, or court and appears in court as arresting officer;
• Directs traffic and either arrests or gives violation tickets to those who break traffic laws;
• Attends fires or accidents in assigned area as directed, giving all possible assistance and preparing necessary reports from investigations made;
• Maintains order in crowds and attends parades and other public gatherings;
• Watches for stolen cars and wanted or missing persons;
• Makes investigations and enforces County and State laws pertaining to juvenile offenders;
• Gives advice on laws and ordinances and general information to the public;
• Operates radio patrol car or patrol wagon as required;
• Operates radar unit for traffic control;
• Serves subpoenas and executes warrants issued by the courts of New Castle County;
• Provides escort service for public dignitaries, funerals, oversize vehicles, and explosive vehicles;
• Transports prisoners to specified destinations;
• Assists motorists whose vehicles are broken down or stranded;
• Acts for Police Sergeant in his or her absence as directed;
• Makes special investigations as directed in plain clothes;
• Promotes an ongoing attitude of dedication to excellent public service and ensures that external and internal customers are provided with the highest quality of service;
• Operates a personal computer and other related equipment in the course of the work.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Good social and general intelligence; good powers of observation and memory; good judgment; good knowledge of first-aid methods; skill in the use of firearms; demonstrated proficiency to safely operate a vehicle on the road in emergency situations at high speed and under normal conditions; ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions; ability to give chase, apprehend and perform arresting duties; ability to communicate courteously and effectively, both verbally and in writing; possess excellent moral character, strength and physical fitness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Twenty one (21) years of age upon successful completion of New Castle County police academy training and one of the following by the date of the written examination: possession of an Associate's Degree or at least sixty (60) credit hours from an accredited college or university;
• or at least two (2) cumulative years of active military service in the Armed Services of the United States with an honorable discharge and thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university;
• or at least four (4) cumulative years of active military service with the Armed Services of the United States with an honorable discharge;
• or a current Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission certified police officer with four (4) years full-time police experience;
• or a current out-of-state police certification with two (2) years full-time police experience and thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university;
• or five (5) consecutive years of progressively responsible work experience that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to meet the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Weight should be proportionate to height; successful completion of a fitness evaluation, Class 1a physical examination, psychological examination and background investigation; acuity of vision of not more than 20/200 corrected to 20/20 in each eye; the ability to distinguish between the colors of red, green, and amber with no pathology of the eyes and acceptable depth perception; possession of a valid Delaware Class D driver's license or its equivalent; successful completion of police academy training within one year of employment; must be a United States citizen. If naturalized, at least five (5) years of documented proof of U.S. residency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION: Applicants who possess a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited college or university will be given preference over applicants who only possess five (5) years of work experience.