Police Officer

City of El Centro (CA); El Centro (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of El Centro (CA) seeks a Police Officer to perform patrols, respond to calls, and enforce public safety regulations. Under general supervision, the officer will investigate incidents, collect evidence, and testify in court when required. The role includes community policing, incident reporting, and providing aid as needed.

Essential qualifications include a High School Diploma or equivalent, completion of the P.O.S.T. Basic Academy, and a California Class C driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of state motor vehicle codes and traffic safety regulations.
• Includes understanding police science principles and department policies.
• Requires ability to pass physical, psychological and agility tests.
• Must be able to testify in court and handle evidence appropriately.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned district by vehicle, motorcycle, or on foot to prevent and detect crime.
• Responds to calls, investigates disorders and incidents; collects and preserves evidence.
• Issues verbal warnings or citations for violations and directs traffic at scenes.
• Investigates crashes, tests, and documents findings; testifies as required.

Skills

State motor vehicle codes and traffic

Police science principles

Self-defense techniques

Two-way radio operation

Court testimony

First aid

Criminal investigation

Public safety procedures

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

P.O.S.T. Basic Academy completion

6+ months on-the-job training

California Driver's license (Class C)

Job description

Summary

Under general supervision, patrols assigned areas, responds to calls or observed violations, and enforces public safety and traffic laws, regulations and ordinances; performs crime prevention and investigation work to protect life and property; testifies in court hearings; assists other officers and performs special detail work as needed; performs related responsibilities as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Receives supervision from a Police Sergeant.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The followinglist is not a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Patrols assigned district by automobile, motorcycle, or on foot in order to prevent and detect crime activity and enforce laws, regulations and ordinances.
• Responds to radio communications or citizen requests and investigates reported disorders, observed violations, and related incidents; collects and preserves, and transports physical evidence.
• Notes and reports traffic problems, abandoned or damaged vehicles and other safety hazards.
• Issues verbal warnings or written citations for parking or moving violations.
• Investigates traffic accidents and directs and controls the flow of traffic at the scene of accidents, signal failures and special events.
• Investigates, interviews witnesses, and prepares crime, incident, traffic collision, drug influence, missing person, and suspicious person reports; prepares special reports as assigned.
• Restores order and maintains peace at public gatherings or in conflict situations.
• Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime activity.
• Provides general information and assistance to the public.
• Identifies, pursues, apprehends, makes arrests, advises of rights, searches, and transports suspects.
• Appears in Court to testify regarding arrests or other law enforcement activity and case evidence.
• Administers emergency first aid to injured or incapacitated persons until medical personnel arrive.
• Participates in community awareness programs as information program to inform citizens of police functions, and crime prevention techniques.
• Processes and serves warrants.
• May perform the duties of Police Sergeant as directed.

The preceding activities have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by positions assigned to this job classification. The City reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind work assignments as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of State motor vehicle codes, traffic safety regulations and municipal ordinances.
• Knowledge of Police science principles.
• Knowledge of Police department policies, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Theories of human behavior.
• Knowledge of Federal and state laws, statutes, local ordinances and Court decisions governing arrest and custody of prisoners, search and seizure, rules of evidence, and privacy rights.
• Knowledge of first aid techniques; safety rules and procedures; criminal investigation, crime prevention principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of self-defense methods and physical restraint techniques.
• Knowledge of radio codes and communications procedures.
• Knowledge of disease control methods and techniques.
• Skills in the operation of a police motor vehicle, firearms and weapons skillfully and safely.
• Skills in the operation of a two-way radio following proper communications procedures.
• Ability to pass physical, psychological and agility tests.
• Ability to tactfully and effectively relate with different racial, ethnic, age, and economic groups.
• Ability to comprehend and understand departmental rules, procedures, police instructions, laws and general literature pertaining to law enforcement activities.
• Ability to interpret State Motor Vehicle Codes and traffic safety laws and local ordinances.
• Ability to accurately recall the circumstances under which traffic violations occurred for testimony purposes.
• Ability to read City geography, streets layouts and traffic and crime patterns.
• Ability to understand and interpret maps to determine locations of calls.
• Ability to work effectively in team response situations.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in maintaining self-control in provocative or confrontational situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in conveying commands.
• Ability to maintain alertness and concentration in emergency situations.
• Ability to accurately recall names, faces and details regarding crime incidents.
• Ability to follow proper safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to work under variable weather conditions.
• Ability to communicate and work cooperatively with co-workers, supervision, and public and private representatives.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral or written commands and instructions.
• Ability to complete clear and accurate police reports and work activity records.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by completion of Peace Officer Standard Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission Basic academy. Six (6) months or more on-the-job training.
• Current State of California Class C or Class 3 driver's license and acceptable driving record must be maintained. May be required to obtain a Class 4 or Class D license following hire, depending upon position assignment as a Motors Officer.
• The employee may be called to respond to police service calls at any time during assigned shifts and may be called out for assistance during off-duty hours.
• Ability to successfully pass background security investigation, meet City standards and successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination as a condition of employment.

Resume will not be accepted in lieu of application. Failure to complete all items on this application will result in your elimination from the recruitment process.

If you have a disability that requires assistance at any point in the recruitment process (for example, filling out applications, testing, interviewing), please notify the Human Resources Department. The City of El Centro performs job-related medical/physical evaluations and pre-employment/promotional drug screening. EEO/ADA.