Police Officer (Lateral)

Selma Police Department; Selma (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Selma Police Department in Selma, CA is seeking a highly experienced Police Officer (Lateral) to join our patrol and community policing team. The position focuses on protecting life and property, enforcing city, state, and federal laws, and directing traffic during emergencies or large events.

Applicants will perform investigations, prepare reports, appear in court as needed, and engage with the public to foster community safety.

Job description

"Thank you for your interest in our Police Officer (Lateral) position."

A. PURPOSE:

Under general supervision, protects life and property; performs law enforcement and crime prevention duties; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; and performs related duties as required.

B. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the entry level class in the Police series. Position allocated to the class of Police Officer primarily are assigned patrol, traffic, and police-community relations duties.

C. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• (1) Protects the life and property of the general public;
• (2) patrols assigned areas of the city;
• (3) answers calls for the protection of life and private property and the enforcement of city, county and state laws;
• (4) conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, holdups, vehicle accidents, deaths and suicides;
• (5) issues parking citations;
• (6) checks doors and windows of business firms at night;
• (7) investigates suspicious persons and activities;
• (8) gives information and directions to the public;
• (9) investigates complaints regarding juvenile and adult actions to determine if a crime has been committed;
• (10) prepares and submits crime reports;
• (11) directs traffic, including vehicle flow at fires, parades, funerals and other emergencies or congested situations;
• (12) stops drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of city and state laws;
• (13) issues citations and makes arrests as required;
• (14) prepares reports of arrests made, investigations conducted and illegal incidents observed;
• (15) appears in court as a prosecution witness and to assist in the presentation of the case;
• (16) apprehends and arrests suspects;
• (17) transports suspects to County Jail;
• (18) searches records to establish identification and prior criminal activity of suspects;
• (19) reviews case records and reports;
• (20) makes concentrated patrol of areas with a high crime incidence;
• (21) interviews and interrogates persons concerned in criminal cases; and
• (22) performs a variety of animal control and related duties.

D. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 1. General and Specialized Job Knowledge and Abilities:
  • (a) General Knowledge of: English grammar, spelling and syntax; basic math.
  • (b) Specialized Knowledge of: City, state and federal laws and regulations; law enforcement procedures; law enforcement report writing; use of firearms; use of emergency equipment; high speed driving; broadcast procedures of a police radio system.
  • (c) Ability to: Observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places accurately while under stress and in emergency situations; use and care for firearms in a safe manner; think and act quickly in emergencies, judging situations and people accurately; learn, understand, interpret and apply laws and regulations; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; prepare concise and comprehensive written reports; learn and use a standard broadcasting police radio system in accordance with departmental procedures and FCC laws and regulations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; meet standards of physical stature, endurance and agility as established by the City of Selma.
• 2. Resources, Including Money, Equipment, Materials and Records: Police records; reports; confidential records; patrol vehicle; police radio; firearms; other police equipment used in the apprehension and control of criminals.
• 3. Solving Problems: Determining when to make an arrest or issue a warning; resolution of family disputes; determining when to step into child custody problems; traffic and criminal activity investigations; how to work with and control gang problems; how to maintain control while maintaining the respect for the uniform; how to apprehend and subdue individuals without undue force.
• 4. Performance of Others: Other team members; rookies and P.O.S.T. interns.
• 5. Relations with:
  • (a) Internal Relations with: Other officers; Police Sergeant; Police Captain; Chief of Police; other City employees; members of the City Council.
  • (b) External Relations with: General public; other police agencies; child and adult protective services; fire departments; hospitals; parole officers; attorneys; court personnel.
• 6. Communications:
  • (a) Oral: Instructions; radio dispatch; communication with other officers.
  • (b) Written: Instructions; memos; reports; criminal records.
  • (c) Visual: Traffic situations; individual driver's performance; crime scenes; traffic accidents; injuries; weapons discharge; hand signals of fellow officers.
  • (d) Auditory: Tr