RESERVE POLICE OFFICER

City of Imperial (CA); Imperial (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Imperial (CA) seeks Reserve Police Officers to support patrol, enforcement of laws, and public safety during assigned shifts.

Level I and Level II roles involve responsibilities from basic patrol to investigations, with POST-certified training and potential courtroom testimony as needed.

Qualifications

• Prior law enforcement experience preferred.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and report writing.
• Familiarity with state and federal laws relevant to police work.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas, regulate traffic, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Respond to incidents and conduct preliminary investigations.
• Prepare detailed police reports and maintain records.
• Testify in court as required and provide information to the public.
• Provide first aid and CPR as needed.

Skills

Patrol expertise

Interpersonal communication

Crisis handling

Education

POST training completion

Tools

Police equipment handling

Job description

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of law enforcement activities during an assigned shift including patrol functions, traffic regulation and the enforcement of City, State and Federal laws, codes, ordinances and regulations; responds to and conducts preliminary investigations of crimes, burglaries, thefts, accidents, emergency situations and other disturbances; responds to calls for service and assistance in the protection of lives and property; identifies, apprehends and arrests criminals.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May provide functional and technical supervision and training if serving as a Field Training Officer.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Level II reserve officers may perform general law enforcement assignments while under the immediate supervision of a peace officer who possesses a Basic Post Certificate. Duties include patrolling assigned areas, responding to calls or observed violations, enforcing public safety and traffic laws and city ordinances, performing crime prevention and investigative work to protect life and property, testifying in court hearings, assisting other officers, and performing special detail work as needed. Additionally, Level II reserve officers may transport prisoners without immediate supervision.

Level I reserve officers may work alone and perform the same duties as full-time regular officers upon completion of a POST-certified FTO program.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL 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 qualified employees can perform the typical functions of the job.

• Perform a variety of law enforcement activities, including patrol functions, traffic regulation, and the enforcement of City, State, and Federal laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations; provide a variety of services to safeguard the lives, property, and constitutional rights of City citizens and visitors; respond to citizen complaints.
• Drive patrol vehicle in an assigned area; observe conditions and activities for potential or actual harm to persons or property, disruption of public order, or other violations of the law.
• Identify traffic violations and suspicious or criminal activities, including misdemeanors and felonies; respond to emergency situations and observed or reported harmful or illegal conditions and activities by conducting investigations or taking appropriate action; conduct follow-up investigations as needed.
• Detect, apprehend, arrest and transport suspected or convicted criminals; enforce traffic laws; prepare and issue tickets for violations; investigate traffic accidents and determine causes; administer drug and alcohol testing as appropriate; arrange for additional emergency and patrol vehicles as necessary.
• Conduct preliminary investigations of crimes, burglaries, thefts, accidents, emergency situations and other disturbances; inspect crime scenes to identify and collect potential and actual evidence.
• Conduct subpoena and warrant services; perform vehicular and pedestrian traffic control at the scene of emergencies or public functions.
• Observe, interview and interrogate victims, witnesses and suspects; search suspects for drugs, weapons and other illegal articles; administer Miranda admonishments; conduct surveillance as required; present evidence and testify in court as requested; provide care for juveniles and adults in custody.
• Respond to a variety of calls from citizens in need of first aid, information and general assistance; provide direction or information to individuals or groups for the purpose of preventing, subduing or alleviating harmful, dangerous or illegal situations; perform traffic and crowd control duties as needed.
• Prepare a variety of detailed and concise police reports related to crimes, investigations, incidents, traffic accidents and assigned activities; maintain records and logs related to daily activities; prepare search warrants and other required documents related to criminal activity as assigned by the position.
• Serve as an informational resource to the public concerning law enforcement activities; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related services, crimes, laws, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Conduct periodic security checks of public and business dwellings, and private residences.
• Communicate with other law enforcement agencies, City personnel, the public and various outside organizations to exchange information, coordinate activities and resolve issues or concerns; collaborate with other law enforcement agencies in the investigation of various crimes as appropriate.
• Operate and maintain a variety of specialized equipment such as law enforcement vehicles, firearms, handcuffs, restraints, batons, flashlights, radars, two-way radios, pepper spray, tasers and sirens.
• Provide first aid, CPR and rescue services at crime scenes, accidents and other emergency situations as needed.
• Attend and participate in various meetings and trainings as assigned; plan and conduct oral presentations at public or special events as directed.
• Operate standard office equipment including a computer and assigned software.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, procedures, and techniques used in law enforcement.
• Applicable Municipal, State and Federal criminal, traffic and related laws, ordinances and codes.
• Self-defense techniques.
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Crime scene identification, investigation, evidence collection and preservation practices, procedures and techniques.
• Operation of a variety of specialized law enforcement vehicles, firearms, two-way radio and related department issued equipment.
• Record-keeping and report preparation techniques.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Health and safety regulations.
• Legal and defensive driving practices.
• First aid and CPR procedures.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of law enforcement activities including patrol functions and traffic regulation.
• Interpret, apply and enforce Municipal, State and Federal laws, codes, ordinances and regulations.
• Respond to crime and emergency scenes and take immediate and appropriate action.
• Detect, properly subdue, apprehend, search and arrest suspects and prisoners.
• Investigate crimes and inspect crime scenes to identify and collect potential and actual evidence.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws and modern law enforcement techniques.
• Make careful observations, remember and record important details such as color, time of day, mode of dress, and physical descriptions of individuals.
• Properly use firearms, police communications equipment, radar, two-way radios and other department issued equipment.
• Operate a variety of specialized law enforcement vehicles and equipment.
• Operate standard office equipment including a computer and assigned software.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Observe health and safety regulations.
• Maintain records and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Utilize and maintain a variety of specialized equipment including firearms.
• Administer first aid and CPR as necessary.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

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:

• Prior to appointment to the Police Reserve Program:
• Level II applicants must have completed Modules III and II, of the Regular Basic Course or higher.
• Level I applicants must complete the Regular Basic Course or have completed Modules III, II, and I and successfully graduate from a POST Level I-III academy.

Licenses and other Requirements:

• Valid California Class C driver’s license and evidence of a safe driving record must be maintained.
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification.
• All applicants shall be required to meet and pass the same pre-employment procedures as regular police officers before appointment:
• Successfully pass a POST background security investigation, meet hiring standards, including successfully passing a pre-employment physical examination, polygraph examination, and medical examination, as a condition of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work primarily in a patrol and field environment and to maintain POST physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to operate vehicles in all conditions, frequently at a high rate of speed, to maintain firearms qualification, and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. The position involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking, running, or standing on uneven terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scenes and identify problems or hazards; vision and manual dexterity to operate an emergency response vehicle at high speeds in emergency situations. Finger and manual dexterity are needed to operate police services equipment and firearms, and to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard. Positions frequently require bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and climbing. Reserve Police Officers must possess the ability to apprehend, lift, carry, push, and pull victims, suspects, and equipment as determined within POST physical standards, which may include the use of proper equipment.

Positions also work in a secondary office or station environment and use standard office equipment, including a computer.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Reserve Police Officers work in a field environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases; and outdoor conditions with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, moving vehicles, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Duties are also performed in an office or station environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Reserve Police Officers may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives to interpret and enforce departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

City employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays as required to accommodate the City’s needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Services Emergency Worker (California Government Code Section 3100-3109).