Police Officer

Village of Palm Springs; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Village of Palm Springs seeks a General Duty Police Officer to protect life and property, patrol the village, respond to incidents, and enforce laws with professionalism.

Candidates must meet U.S. citizenship, minimum Florida standards, and medical/fitness requirements; prior law enforcement experience is advantageous. The role requires sound judgment, teamwork, and effective community policing.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be a U.S. citizen with no felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
• Completion of minimum Florida standards.
• Successful completion of medical and fitness requirements.

Responsibilities

• Make arrests when necessary using restraints and force as law permits.
• Prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, with proper grammar and mathematical computations.
• Exercise independent judgment on detentions, searches, and arrests.
• Operate a law enforcement vehicle in day/night, emergency, and adverse conditions.
• Communicate effectively over law enforcement radio channels.
• Interview victims, witnesses, suspects and informants to gather information.
• Load, unload, aim and fire firearms as required under certification standards.
• Search people, vehicles, buildings, and outdoor areas; detain suspicious persons.
• Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods.
• Engage in patrol functions: rotating shifts, foot patrols, and building security checks.
• Effectively communicate with people including juveniles; give information and guidance.
• Demonstrate courtroom communication skills and cite rights and processes.
• Detect and collect evidence indicating dangerous conditions.
• Endure verbal/mental stress in antagonistic environments.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents and emergencies; direct traffic.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Situational judgment

Effective communication

Physical fitness

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma

60 college credits

Two years military experience

Three years prior LEO experience

Tools

Computers

Copier

Scanner

Fax machine

Job description

Summary

General duty police work in the protection of life and property.

Essential Job Duties

The following duties are normal for this position.

• Effect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints: subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons, and other approved weapons in self-defense.
• Prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
• Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree.
• Operates a law enforcement vehicle during both day and night, in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions.
• Communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels.
• Gather information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects and confidential informants.
• Load, unload, aim and fire handguns, and other firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.
• Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings and outdoor areas, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
• Engage in law enforcement patrol functions that include such things as working rotating shifts, walking on foot patrol and physically checking the doors and windows of buildings to ensure they are secure.
• Effectively communicate with people, including juveniles, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes and advising of rights and processes.
• Demonstrate communication skills in court and other formal settings.
• Detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions and that and that indicate the presence of dangerous conditions.
• Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging and carrying people away from dangerous situations and securing and evacuating people from particular areas.
• Process and transport prisoners using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints.
• Extinguish small fires by using a fire extinguisher and other appropriate means.
• Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits and warrants.
• Process arrested suspects to include taking their photographs and obtaining a legible set of inked fingerprint impressions.
• Patrols areas of the village by; car, on foot, motorcycle, or bicycle.

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma. Must be at least 19 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen with no convictions of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. Completion of minimum standards as required by the State of Florida. Successful completion of all medical and fitness requirements. The following qualifications are highly preferred in the selection process but not required: 60 credits from an accredited college, two years of military experience with an honorable discharge, or three years of prior certified law enforcement officer experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action to be taken.
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously and tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Ability to read, write and speak effectively.
• Ability to meet physical requirements and standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the street locations, geography and types of construction in the village.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Licenses, Certifications Or Registrations

Florida Law Enforcement Certification; Valid Florida Driver's License and an acceptable driving record. Certifications must remain valid for the period of employment in this classification.

EQUIPMENT

Must possess a working knowledge of computers, copy machines, scanner, facsimile machine and other business equipment as necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Meet physical requirements as indicated for State of Florida Certification. Must endure sustained acts of physical exhaustion and endure periods of duty under unfavorable and life-threatening situations. Must be able to wear bullet-resistant vest. Heavy (45 pounds and over) lifting and carrying. Reaching, pulling, pushing, balancing, smelling, and throwing. Climbing (including ladders). Visual and hearing acuity, with or without correction, are required. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Walking, standing, crawling, kneeling, bending, stooping, jumping, running, and driving. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Works inside and outside in various weather conditions with: noise, fumes, gases, smoke or flames, odors, slippery and uneven surfaces, heights, poor lighting. Work in or with moving objects or vehicles and in hazardous and stressful conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.