Police Officer - Exam

Columbus Police Department; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Columbus Police Department is seeking Police Officers to serve and protect the community by patrolling assigned areas, responding to calls, and conducting investigations under general supervision.

You will prepare for duty with equipment, maintain readiness, and work closely with residents to promote public safety, uphold the law, and ensure the integrity of evidence and reporting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum age 20 at application and 21 at sworn in.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Valid motor vehicle operator's license at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for duty with uniform and equipment, ensuring readiness.
• Interact with community to promote safety and prevent crime.
• Respond to calls and assess threat to determine response.
• Investigate crimes by gathering statements and evidence.
• Pursue suspects and make arrests when appropriate.
• Testify in court and assist in enforcing court orders.
• Provide detainment, transport, and collaboration with social services as needed.
• Terminate searches following proper procedures to ensure safety and evidence collection.

Skills

De-escalation techniques

Community policing

Report writing

Observation skills

Court testimony

Vehicle handling

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

LEADS

Body-worn camera

Job description

Under general supervision, is responsible for serving and protecting the community by performing crime prevention, criminal investigations, and law enforcement activities; performs related duties as required.

Responsibilities

• Prepares for duty by properly wearing a uniform, ensuring all worn equipment is operational (i.e., body-worn camera, firearm, etc.), and inspecting the vehicle and its equipment to ensure readiness for duty;
• Interacts with members of the community to promote public safety and crime prevention; patrols an assigned area for the prevention of crimes; responds to questions, concerns, and complaints to resolve situations and to provide law enforcement services;
• Responds to calls for police service by assessing the information attained through dispatch, training, and experience to determine the type of situation and response needed; drives at appropriate speeds to safely arrive on scene;
• Appears at scenes of crimes, disputes, and vehicle accidents; visually and audibly evaluates victims, suspects, and scene layout to make an initial determination of safety and threat level; evaluates the needs of victims and bystanders;
• Investigates reports of crimes and complaints by collecting accounts of the incident and physical evidence to ensure the integrity of and to corroborate statements; identifies, collects, and protects evidence used in the commission of crimes or traffic offenses;
• Intervenes in disputes by actively listening to involved parties, maintaining visual contact with disputants, and asking relevant questions to determine the most appropriate strategy to protect the public and mediate disputes;
• Conducts pat-down searches, vehicle searches, and premises searches following proper procedures to ensure officer safety, public safety, and collection of evidence;
• Pursues suspects on foot or via bicycle, motorcycle, or motor vehicle to effect an arrest;
• Apprehends and/or charges persons responsible for criminal or traffic violations; confirms and executes existing warrants through the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS);
• Determines appropriate violations of law by referring to the Ohio Revised Code or City Code to reflect accurate charges in citations, incident reports, accident reports, and arrest reports; issues initial court dates;
• Appears in court as a testifying officer, serves subpoenas, and assists in the enforcement of court orders;
• Facilitates medical or mental health treatment and social services for individuals and arranges the transportation of individuals to these facilities;
• Explains policies, directives, the Ohio Revised Code, Columbus City Code, or court activities to individuals to foster understanding of what is under an officer's jurisdiction;
• Prepares official forms and reports and submits to superiors for appropriate actions;
• Responds to disasters as a first responder; manages evacuations, controls traffic in disaster areas, and uses protective equipment where hazardous materials may be present;
• Continuously learns, reviews, and stays up-to-date on current division policies, trainings, and procedures; maintains first aid, firearms, and other required certifications.

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of de-escalation and conflict resolution strategies and techniques; ability to act with integrity in words and actions; ability to show respect, empathy, and compassion; ability to communicate verbally and actively listen, including in high duress situations; ability to learn and understand policies, rules, instructions, laws, regulations, first aid, and police related literature; ability to take proper law enforcement actions; ability to write clear and accurate reports; ability to understand and follow oral directions; ability to explain and defend reasoning, conclusions, and actions; ability to operate and provide ordinary care of motor vehicles and firearms; ability to meet current standards established by OPOTC; ability to obtain and maintain LEADS access; ability to accept individuals of diverse cultures; ability to deal effectively and equitably with persons of a different race, cultural background, or gender without racist, sexist, homophobic, and xenophobic attitudes; ability to subdue person(s) resisting arrest; ability to pursue fleeing suspect(s); ability to run while wearing a duty belt and bulletproof vest; ability to drag or pull person(s); ability to climb up and over objects; ability to assess emergency needs; ability to diffuse situations; ability to recognize underlying problems; ability to recognize sounds and understand their significance; ability to visually recognize persons and their activities; ability to remain focused despite distractions; ability to multi-task; ability to maintain a professional demeanor in volatile, highly emotional, and high duress situations.

Possession of a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalence (GED).

At least twenty (20) years of age when applying, and at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of being sworn in.

Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license at time of hire (appointment).

A citizen of the United States of America.

SPECIAL NOTE

Police Officers must successfully pass the Division's Basic Peace Officer Training Academy and Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) final exam.