Police Officer - Entry Level

Mesquite Police Department; Mesquite (NV); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mesquite Police Department is seeking qualified candidates for patrol and community safety roles. Officers will patrol in business, residential, and rural areas, respond to emergencies, and enforce federal, state, and city laws.

This position requires sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the public. Typical duties include investigations, first aid at scenes, and taking statements from victims and witnesses while maintaining high professional standards and

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED is required; an associate degree is preferred.
• Must successfully complete Nevada P.O.S.T. Category I police training academy.
• Must possess a valid Nevada or border state driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Patrols community to prevent crime and enforce laws.
• Investigates criminal activity and collects evidence.
• Responds to emergency calls and administers first aid when needed.
• Arrests and detains suspects; takes statements from victims and witnesses.
• Maintains safety and ensures adherence to department regulations.

Skills

Communication skills

Public relations

Composure under pressure

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in police science (preferred)

Job description

Job descriptions/specifications are intended to indicate the essential functions and levels of work difficulty of the position and are not intended to describe in detail all of the position's specific duties and responsibilities nor exclude other duties of similar level or difficulty. Additionally, it is not intended to limit management's rights to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.

DEFINITION

Actively support and uphold the stated mission and values of the City of Mesquite and the Police Department. Provide emergency aid, security, and protection of life and property for the citizens by patrolling business, rural, and residential areas, responding to requests for information and assistance, investigating criminal activity, subduing combative suspects, making arrests, working with people to solve problems associated with crime and ensuring proper enforcement of laws and regulations.

• Serve as a representative of the City of Mesquite, demonstrating a positive attitude and progressive actions through the display of professionalism, courtesy, and appropriate tact and discretion in all interactions with other employees and with the public.
• Patrol the community to aid in preventing crime and to enforce Federal, State, and City laws and regulations.
• Monitor traffic and maintains traffic safety.
• Detect and deter possible criminal activities.
• Conduct criminal investigations.
• Identify and arrest criminals.
• Respond to emergency calls; determine the nature of a call, investigates the circumstances, and takes any necessary and prudent action. May call for assistance or superior officers if necessary.
• Take command at scene of crime or accident; administers first aid and request medical service as necessary; takes statements and interviews victims and witnesses; examines situation; records vital information regarding causes and circumstances.
• Guard and supervise prisoners.
• Ensure that patrol activities are conducted in conformance with departmental rules and regulations.
• Conduct investigation assignments of suspected illegal activity or follow-up investigations of criminal cases and in the collection and preservation of evidence at the crime scene.
• Be dependable and meet acceptable attendance requirements at all times.
• Follow all applicable safety rules and regulations.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Protect confidential information by preventing unauthorized released, both verbal and/or writing.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations
• Criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality and social, psychological, and physical needs of criminals.
• Standard police practices, methods, and procedures.
• P.O.S.T. investigative methods
• Methods of investigation, apprehension, and rules of evidence.
• Police terminology and practices
• Good public relations skills
• Business communications skills
• The safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police related tools.

Ability to:

• Apply principles and techniques of modern crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and all other aspects of law enforcement.
• Interpret law enforcement policies and procedures
• Utilize good public relations skills
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Prioritize tasks
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public
• Maintain composure under adverse conditions such as public harassment, critical injuries and death.
• Frequently use printer, telephone, fax
• Properly operate city vehicle

Experience, Education and Training:

Any equivalent combination of training, education and experience which provides the individual with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Experience: No experience required.
• Education: Graduation from high school or GED. Associates degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in police science preferred.
• Training: Must successfully complete the Nevada P.O.S.T. Category I police training academy.
• License or Certificate: Must possess at the time of employment and continuously throughout employment a valid Nevada or "border state" driver's license, as defined by NRS 483.

Other requirements:

• Must be 21 years of age at time of appointment.
• Must be a United States citizen at the time of appointment.
• Must meet the minimum standards for appointment as set forth in NAC 289.110.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a medical examination (including drug screen) with an agency selected by the City, a thorough background investigation including completion of a background packet as directed by the Mesquite Police Department and any other appropriate measures deemed necessary.
• Condition of employment requires that the employee maintain proficiency in all areas as required by Department standards and within Department established time.

Competencies:

• Communicativeness - Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information. They take responsibility for ensuring that their peers and supervisors have the current and accurate information needed for success.
• Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances. They are able to demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation and continue performing steadily and effectively.
• Customer Service - Effective performers attend to customers in a timely manner. They view the organization through the eyes of the customer and go out of their way to anticipate and meet customer needs.
• Drive/Energy - Effective performers have a high level of ener