Lateral Entry Police Officer (Peace Officer Certification Required)

Under general supervision, to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work for the protection of life and property; to maintain order, enforce laws and ordinances, protect life and property within the Town by performing a combination of duties: suppressant crime patrol, directing traffic, issuing citations, summonses, investigating traffic accidents, apprehending and arresting suspects, processing prisoners, protecting crime scenes; and to perform general and specific assignments from superior officers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Provide service to the citizens in an efficient and professional manner.The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. The position description is subject to change by the TOWN as the needs of the TOWN and requirements of the position change. 

• Patrols the Town and receives dispatched calls for service to help prevent crime, aid citizens needing assistance and arrest violators of the law. 
• Enforces traffic laws and provides escorts to ensure safe motor vehicle operation throughout the Town.
• Prepares written reports as required by specific assignments. 
• Answers, screens and refers calls from citizens requesting police services. 
• Investigates reports of criminal activity, interviews victims and witnesses, seeks, gathers and submits evidence for processing, interrogates suspects and arrests suspected offenders. 
• Testifies in court as required. 
• Instructs citizens, businesses, schools and civic organizations about methods and techniques that may help prevent one from becoming a victim of crime. 
• Develops and implements community-based policing strategies and programs. 
• Responds to emergency calls and routine complaints and disturbances and takes necessary action. 
• Directs and escorts traffic, operates traffic radar monitoring equipment and issues traffic citations. 
• Conducts investigations of traffic accidents and crimes against persons and property. 
• Questions witnesses, complainants, victims and suspects and takes statements. 
• Chases and apprehends suspects. 
• Processes prisoners, including fingerprinting, photographing, enduring magistrate warnings by a judge, searching prisoners, recording and securing the prisoner’s property, and transporting prisoners to an appropriate facility. 
• Shares information and works with other law enforcement agencies as directed and appropriate.
• Assists EMS personnel, firefighters, animal control and Town departments as required.
• Conducts security checks of businesses and residential areas on patrol route.
• Fosters good police-community relations among residents and civilian population.
• Monitors roadway and weather conditions, reporting any potential problems to appropriate agencies.
• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this position successfully, an individual(s) must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must be at least 18 years of age, but if younger than 21 must have one of the following:
  • Associates degree or 60 college semester hours
  • Two years of military service
  • Received an honorable discharge for the United States Armed Forces.
• Not have been within the last ten years, under court ordered community supervision or probation for any offense above the grade of a Class C misdemeanor.
• Cannot have been convicted of any Class A or Class B misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years.
• Cannot ever have been convicted of any offense classified as a felony.
• Cannot ever have been convicted of any offense involving family violence.
• Cannot be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
• Cannot be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
• Must not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable specifically; under other than honorable conditions; bad conduct; dishonorable; or any other characterization of service indicating bad behavior
• Cannot have had a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) license denied by final order or revoked, or have a voluntary surrender of license currently in effect.
• Must be TCLEOSE certified at the time of application
• Cannot have violated any TCLEOSE rule or provision of Occupation Code, Chapter 1701.
• Must be of good moral character.
• Must be capable of performing all essential job functions
• Ability to make quick and sound decisions in stressful situations.
• Ability to work effectively around mechanical hazards. 
• Ability to pass an extensive background investigation conducted by the Northlake Police Department. 
• Ability to pass a medical examination, polygraph, psychological and/or drug screen if required by the Town of Northlake and/or the State of Texas.
• Ability to demonstrate basic mathematical ability in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Ability to work around explosive hazards as with bomb threats, explosions and car fires.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Are subject to the same hiring process as all other police officer applicants. 

• Must have worked full-time for a law enforcement agency as a sworn police officer in the U.S. or U.S. Territories. 

• 3 years of law enforcement experience working for a municipality with 25 officers or a city population of more than 10,000 people. 

• Must not have pending disciplinary actions or investigations for misconduct or criminal activity. 

• Time served as a reserve officer or other type of unpaid peace officer will not have that time calculated in the total time of active service for either qualification for the lateral entry program or for  computing compensation. 

• If from out of state, will complete the full Academy or complete the TCOLE licensing process through the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement prior to entry into the lateral program. 

CONTACT WITH OTHERS: To perform this position successfully, an individual(s) may be required to have contact/communications with individuals internally and externally on a regular basis. 
 

Town Employees	Daily. Verbal exchange over telephone and in person. Written exchange through correspondence such as e-mail, letters, and memorandum.
Town Consultants	Weekly. Verbal exchange over telephone and in person. Written exchange through correspondence such as e-mail, letters, and memorandum.
Appointed Officials	Weekly. Verbal exchange over telephone and in person. Written exchange through correspondence such as e-mail, letters, and memorandum.
General  Public/Citizens	Daily. Verbal exchange over telephone and in person. Written exchange through correspondence such as e-mail, letters, and memorandum.
Community Organizations	Daily. Verbal exchange over telephone and in person. Written exchange through correspondence such as e-mail, letters, and memorandum.
Elected Officials	Weekly. Verbal exchange over telephone and in person. Written exchange through correspondence such as e-mail, letters, and memorandum.
Vendors/Contractors /Regulatory Agencies	Weekly. Verbal exchange over telephone and in person. Written exchange through correspondence such as e-mail, letters, and memorandum.