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Lateral Police Officer
NATURE OF WORK
Under general supervision, maintains public law and order, protects life and property, prevents crimes, conducts investigations concerning unlawful activity, apprehends violators of the law, and assists citizens in solving problems.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The following are not inclusive of all tasks and the incumbents perform other related activities as required.
- Performs arrest and searches relative to law enforcement activities in accord with applicable laws governing such activities.
- Protects the public’s rights under the law.
- Patrols assigned areas of the City on foot, in a patrol vehicle or on a bicycle, observing unlawful activity and taking corrective action as necessary.
- Investigates incidents and prepares necessary reports to required standards. This includes preparing reports on police activity, taking measurements, making diagrams, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and other related activity.
- Performs traffic control and enforces traffic laws.
- Assists the public by giving directions, answering questions and seeking solutions to problems brought to the officer’s attention.
- Operates a patrol vehicle equipped with a police radio, radar unit, emergency lights, and siren.
- Enforces DUI laws and processes intoxicated drivers in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
- Prepares detailed police reports of crimes and collects evidence in accordance with department standards. Maintains a proper evidence chain.
- Coordinates various work activities with other law enforcement agencies.
- Provides courtroom testimony as required.
- Performs public relations work as assigned.
- Participates in and actively supports department community oriented policing philosophies and related programs.
- Detains, arrests, transports, and processes prisoners.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is performed indoors (police vehicle or office) and outdoors in all weather conditions and under hazardous conditions. Work requires an officer to maintain physical fitness and endurance to perform rescue, render first aid; detain, arrest and transport subjects or assist other agencies in emergency situations, which may involve holding, reaching, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, lifting, running, jumping or other physical exertion. Must be willing to work any shift assigned, weekends and holidays in a 24-hour, 7-day a week operation.
Entry-Level Requirements:
- Must be a minimum of 21-years of age at time of hire and a United States citizen
- Associate of Arts Degree or the equivalent 90 quarter credits is required.
- Bachelor’s Degree with coursework in criminal justice is preferred.
- Ability to successfully read and write the English language for effective job performance.
- Must pass a pre-employment background investigation, truth verification examination, psychological examination, and medical examination.
- Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license at the time of appointment and have a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.
- Must have no felony criminal convictions or any other conviction that would disqualify a successful applicant from carrying a firearm.
- Must successfully completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Academy (or equivalency academy), a 14-week Field Training program, and a 12-month probationary period following the completion of the State academy.
Lateral-Entry Requirements:
- Must meet all requirements for entry-level police officer.
- Must have graduated from a municipal or regional Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy or equivalent, as accepted by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
- Must have been successfully employed for a minimum of two (2) years with a municipal, county or state law enforcement agency in a general law enforcement capacity.
- Out-of-state applicants must successfully complete the Washington State Academy two-week equivalency course within the first 12 months of employment.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS
- Excellent communication skills and ability to interact and work with others appropriately and effectively in a community of diverse cultures, ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Knowledge of computer applications for reports, communications and information retrieval.
- Ability to acquire a working knowledge of State and local criminal, civil, and traffic laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances.
- Ability to learn new information and accept responsibility, acknowledge mistakes and share successes.
- Ability to work effectively as an individual and as a team member with a minimum of supervision.
- Ability to comply with laws, rules, regulations, and procedures.
- Ability to maintain composure and perform effectively in stressful situations and exercise good judgment and common sense at all times. Able to recognize unusual or threatening conditions and promptly take appropriate action.
- Ability to work in cooperation with the community consistent with the Port Angeles Police Department and the City’s mission statement.
- Ability to work effectively in physically demanding and hazardous working conditions.
- Ability to perform department defensive tactics and control techniques in the use of a variety of weaponry to include less-than-lethal technology.
- Ability to learn City and surrounding area locations and safely operate a City of Port Angeles vehicle.
- Ability to operate Police Department equipment, including but not limited to Police vehicle equipped with radio, radar, emergency lights and safety equipment; handcuffs and other restraining devices; computers; breathalyzer and other blood-alcohol level measuring devices; illegal drug test kits; cameras (digital or standard); tape recorders; expandable baton, other impact weapons; and chemical agent dispersal equipment.