POLICE OFFICER (LATERAL) (121st CLASS)

City of Cincinnati; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Vacation

Uniforms Provided

Career Development

Job summary

City of Cincinnati is hiring for a Police Officer trainee to join the Police Academy for training and to be assigned to a patrol unit upon graduation. The role includes enforcing laws, protecting life and property, and investigating incidents.

Applicants must obtain OPOTC certification and meet extensive eligibility requirements, including background, fitness and eligibility to work in the region. The position requires irregular hours and state certification upon completion.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal, state and municipal laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of Police Division procedures, rules and policies.
• Proper care and use of police equipment.
• Geographic areas of the city.
• Reporting procedures for the Police Division.
• Interrogation and interview techniques.
• Procedures regarding the use of force.

Responsibilities

• Protect life and property; patrol assigned beat.
• Enforce laws and ordinances; make arrests as needed.
• Investigate accidents and complaints; preserve evidence.
• Testify in court; maintain investigation records.
• Attend community meetings; engage with residents.

Skills

Laws and ordinances

Police procedures

Interrogation techniques

Use of force procedures

Geographic city knowledge

Reporting procedures

Physical fitness

Education

OPOTC certification

Job description

General Statement of Duties

THIS POSTING IS FOR CURRENT LAW ENFORCMENT OFFICERS ONLY***

Under direct supervision of a Police Sergeant or higher rank, this employee is assigned to the Police Academy for training to become a Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the Police Academy curriculum, they will be classified as a Police Officer and assigned to a patrol unit for the purpose of protecting life and property, crime prevention, enforcing laws and ordinances, arresting violators, making forcible arrests if necessary, investigating accidents and complaints, securing evidence and preserving the peace within as assigned beat (geographical unit). Performs related duties as required.

Additional Statement Regarding The 121st (Lateral) Class

Members of the 121st (Lateral) Class, upon graduation, will be placed at the salary step of a Police Officer, commensurate with their full-time years of prior law enforcement service, at a salary step no higher than 5 of the Police Officer classification. The Police Chief has the final authority on which step a member will be in. Members of the 121st (Lateral) Class, upon graduation, will accrue vacation time commensurate with their full-time years of prior law enforcement service, at a 1:1 ratio, with no maximum accrual rate applied. The Police Chief has the final authority on a transferring member’s accrual rate. Full‑time years of law enforcement service will be counted toward years of service for purposes of longevity pay. The years shall transfer at a 1:1 ratio. The Police Chief has the final authority on this matter. Members of the 121st (Lateral) Class will receive a prorated holiday allotment based on the quarter in which the date of graduation falls.

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)

Knowledge Of

• Federal, state and municipal laws and ordinances.
• Police Division Procedures Manual, rules, regulations, orders, policies, and procedures.
• The proper care and use of police equipment.
• Geographic areas of the city.
• Reporting procedures for the Police Division.
• Interrogation and interview techniques.
• Procedures regarding the use of force.

Ohio Applicants

Applicants from Ohio must possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) peace officer certification and must be currently employed full time by a law enforcement agency* in a peace officer capacity with a minimum of two (2) years of experience.

Out Of State Applicants

Applicants from out-of-state must possess a current Peace Officer certificate in their state of employment and be currently employed full time by a law enforcement agency* in a peace officer capacity with a minimum of two (2) years of experience. Applicants must complete the Ohio Peace Training Academy reciprocal process and obtain a valid OPOTC peace officer certification to receive a conditional job offer from the Chief of Police.

Full time will be defined as continuous employment with a minimum of 32 hours worked weekly. Two (2) years will be defined as having two (2) consecutive years of full-time employment and are currently employed full-time by a law enforcement agency.

Applicants' employing law enforcement agency must have jurisdictional authority to make arrests (felony and misdemeanor), as well as patrol City, County and State roadways.

• The following are not considered to be equivalent to a law enforcement agency: health care facilities, mental health care facilities, and correctional facilities.

Other Requirements

• Must be in excellent physical condition and successfully complete a physical ability test.
• Must satisfactorily complete a background investigation which includes a polygraph examination.
• Must satisfactorily complete a behavior assessment evaluation.
• Applicants must be free from alcohol and drug dependency and possess emotional stability due to the sensitive and stressful nature of this position.
• Applicants must be free from felony convictions.
• Must successfully complete the Cincinnati Police Academy training program.
• Must successfully pass state certification as a police officer.
• Must have a valid Ohio, Indiana, or Kentucky driver license, or eligible to obtain one at the time of appointment.
• Complete Personal History Questionnaire.
• Must be willing to work irregular hours, weekends, and holidays.

Working and Physical Conditions

Conducts preliminary investigations as the first responder on the scene including interviewing affected persons, crime scene preservation and requesting medical assistance.

Makes decisions concerning appropriate use of force with regard to making arrests or defending oneself; uses firearm, baton, chemical irritant and/or other means of force appropriately.

Serves warrants and makes arrests.

Testifies in court.

Maintains records of investigations, criminal activities, conditions that warrant treatment or attention, and makes reports.

Creates a favorable public image of the Police Division through courteous treatment, neat appearance in all public contacts.

Attends community meetings; gives talks and demonstrations on police related topics of community interest.

Refers persons to the proper social agencies.

Controls traffic and spectators at the scene of an emergency or other events.

Investigates public complaints.

Maintains vehicle and other assigned equipment. Inspects buildings and commercial establishments to keep secure.

Performs vehicle or foot patrol.

Benefits Summary

The below information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available and is subject to change. Not all benefits listed are available for every position. Benefits can vary depending on applicable labor agreements and/or salary plan. For specific questions, contact the HR Contact indicated on the Job Posting.

The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees' to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units.

The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

Holidays

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• President's Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas

Health Insurance

The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan.

Eligible Dependents Include

• Legal Spouse or Equal Partner
• Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order")
• Step-child
• Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian

Basic Life Insurance

A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.

Supplemental Life, Long Term Disability, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance

Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.

Flexible Benefits Plans

Healthcare Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.

Dependent Care Flex Spending Account

City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.

Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account

City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.

Healthy Lifestyles Program

City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Integrated Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.

Retirement Plan

The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.

Deferred Compensation

As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.