Police Officer Lateral/Academy Graduate

City of Soledad; Soledad (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Soledad seeks a sworn, non-supervisory Police Officer to patrol assigned beats, respond to emergencies, and enforce laws and ordinances. You will assist the public, conduct investigations, and participate in community policing efforts to maintain public safety.

Qualifications include a high school diploma and graduation from a POST Academy, with knowledge of case law, evidence procedures, and report writing.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of law enforcement principles and procedures for patrol, traffic, crime scene control and investigation.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports and maintain records and logs.
• Experience applying safety practices and using firearms, first aid/CPR.
• Familiarity with court procedures and applicable laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Patrols City beats in radio-dispatched units to protect life and property.
• Responds to emergencies, reports incidents, and enforces laws and ordinances.
• Provides information and assistance to the public and handles complaints.
• Conducts community policing to deter crime and engage with residents.
• Makes arrests, serves warrants, and transports individuals as needed.
• Interacts with schools and community resources to address safety issues.

Skills

Observation

Public safety

Communication

Knowledge of laws

Situation assessment

Education

High school diploma

POST Academy graduate

Job description

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Police Sergeant. No supervision of staff is exercised.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This sworn working-level law enforcement class performs all non-supervisory assignments found in a municipal police department. While incumbents are normally assigned to rotating beats for patrol or traffic enforcement, all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including investigation, youth services, administration, and training are included. Incumbents may be armed and may be assigned to work in uniform or plain clothes. Shift schedules and job assignments may be changed periodically to assure the maximum delivery of effective police service. This class is distinguished from Police Sergeant in that the latter is the first supervisory level in this sworn class series.

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

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 beat on a rotational basis in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observe situations, report suspicious or criminal activity, 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, direction, 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 motorist 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; performs complete investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.
• Conducts comprehensive investigations into felony and high-level crimes as assigned, including conducting surveillance activities and coordinating and maintaining crime scene activities.
• Provides assistance to the Animal Control Officer as assigned and performs the full range of animal control duties in their absence.
• Provides oversight of juveniles and delinquents; interprets law to school officials and parents; confers with school administrators to identify and discuss criminal and public safety issues; works to resolve cases involving unfit homes and crimes committed against or by juveniles; advises and refers juveniles to appropriate community resources as requested or as necessary.
• Assists the City Attorney or the District Attorney staff in preparing, documenting, and developing cases and gathering information; testifies in court as required.
• Directs the activities of police support personnel 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 aide to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.
• Prepares reports; prepares and maintains logs, records, and accurate files.
• Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
• May perform and/or coordinate specific program or project areas such as school resources, investigations, crime prevention, and/or field training as assigned by the Police Chief and/or the Police Lieutenant.
• 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; and may conduct shift briefings in the absence of the Sergeant.
• 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 the 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, codes, ordinances, court decisions, and departmental rules and regulations.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agencies, and impact weapons.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often when relations may be confrontational or stressed.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Observe accurately, recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, 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.
• Coordinate and carry out special assignments.
• Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
• Enter information into a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
• Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions.
• Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner.
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and software programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade. Two (2) years of college-level coursework in law enforcement, police, social, or behavioral science is desirable.

License:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record.
• Graduation from accredited P.O.S.T. Academy.
• Possession and maintenance of firearms qualification.
• Title 22 First Aid/CPR Certificate is preferred.