Police Officer I (Academy Graduate)

Westminster Police Department; Westminster (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Westminster Police Department is seeking sworn officers to perform patrol and related duties designed to prevent crime, protect life and property, and enforce laws. Officers may work in uniform or plain clothes and be assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement.

Successful applicants will have completed a California POST Basic Police Academy within the last twelve months and will be prepared to testify in court, prepare cases, and assist the public.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of law enforcement principles, patrol, traffic enforcement, and crime scene control.
• Investigation techniques, evidence handling, and courtroom procedures.
• Federal, state, and local laws and safety practices relevant to policing.
• Ability to communicate clearly, maintain records, and provide public information.
• Ability to apply laws, standards, and policies in emergency and routine situations.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned city area by radio-dispatched vehicle to deter crime and provide high visibility.
• Respond to emergency calls, incidents, and disturbances; enforce laws and protect public safety.
• Provide information and assistance to the public; take reports and handle complaints.
• Engage with the community through speaking engagements and neighborhood patrols.
• Make arrests and serve warrants; collect and preserve evidence as required.
• Prepare reports, logs, and maintain accurate files; coordinate with other agencies.

Skills

Observational skills

Report writing

Legal interpretation

Community engagement

Decision making

Equipment operation

Education

California POST Basic Police Academy

Job description

This recruitment is for applicants who have graduated from a California POST Basic Police Academy within the last twelve (12) months

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; provides information and assistance to the public; performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no supervision of staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a sworn journey-level law enforcement class that performs patrol assignments found in a municipal police department. Incumbents are assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement. Incumbents are armed and may be assigned to work in uniform or plain clothes. Shift schedules may be changed periodically to ensure the maximum delivery of effective police service. This class is distinguished from Police Officer II in that the latter serves in specialized departmental roles.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Patrols the City within an assigned area in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observe situations, report suspicious, criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deter crime by providing high visibility.
• Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling assigned divisions by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required.
• Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for immediate removal of stranded vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations.
• Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility, as required.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence.
• Directs the activities of police support personnel and/or volunteers in office and field situations.
• Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical assistance as necessary.
• Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.
• Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
• Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Oversees the use and care of equipment as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects.
• Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
• Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Observe accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible