Police Officer Recruit

THE DEPARTMENT:

The Atascadero Police Department serves the City of Atascadero, a small, beautiful, central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County, California. The City has a population of 30,000 residents and is situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region; is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1; within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park; or two hours to Monterey and Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails. Our community is a great place to live, work, and raise a family! Become a member of an organization consisting of hardworking individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact through public service. The Atascadero Police Department currently consists of nearly 30 sworn and about a dozen civilian employees. Our management team is committed to supporting, mentoring and developing our employees.  We embrace the value of fostering and maintaining positive relationships both externally and within our organization.  

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

This is a non-sworn, training level classification in the City's police service.  Under direct supervision, attends the Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)-approved basic academy to be trained in the technical knowledge, skills, and physical capabilities required to perform police service.  During training, recruits do not have police powers and are subject to the rules and regulations of the City of Atascadero, Atascadero Police Department, and the police academy attended.  Promotion to a sworn Police Officer position is contingent upon successful completion of the basic academy and the final review of the Chief of Police.  Upon promotion to Police Officer, individual will begin an eighteen-month probation as a regular status employee.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: 

Receives direction from a Sergeant, or other ranking officer, Field Training Officer or academy staff.

• Perform non-safety duties.
• Collect information and data.
• Attend a California P.O.S.T.-approved basic police academy for training.
• Participate in Patrol and Dispatch ride-alongs as directed.
• Ensures the adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Participate in community-based policing; help to promote positive interactions between law enforcement and all members of the community. Participate in community activities.

• Must be at least twenty-one years of age at time of appointment.
• Possess a High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Weight in proportion to height, vision correctable to 20/20 with corrective lenses supplied by the applicant, and normal depth perception.
• Must meet the Fitness for Duty standards as defined in the Department Policy Manual. 
• Meet all other requirements in keeping with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
• Must be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual preference that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
• Must possess a valid Class C California Driver License.

Must have the ability to: 

• Understand, interpret and apply Federal, State and local laws and regulations, departmental policies and procedures, and other technical literature pertaining to law enforcement;
• React quickly and calmly in emergency or hazardous situations and adopt an effective course of action; observe and remember facts and details of incidents;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Learn to safely drive a motor vehicle in both non-emergency and emergency situations; learn to operate firearms safely and skillfully;
• Obtain information through interview, interrogation and observation; write clear and accurate reports; basic typing and personal computer skills;
• Communicate clearly, orally in person and over a radio;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, deal tactfully and effectively with a wide range of different individuals and groups from the community.
• Participates in community-based policing; must be familiar with and work to promote positive interactions between law enforcement and all members of the community.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 3211.9, service is essential in times of extreme emergency or disaster. For this reason, State law designates public employees as “Disaster Service Workers”. As such and even when off-duty, this position may be required to return to duty in case of emergency or disaster.
• Must be a United States Citizen or hold status of “Permanent Resident.”
• Must possess a current and valid California Class C Driver’s License. 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: 

Police vehicles of varying types, radios, radar equipment, handgun and other weapons and ammunition as required, baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, flares, mace, pepper spray, first aid equipment, flashlights, keys and locks, personal computer and related software, other standard office equipment, video and audio recording equipment, pens/pencils, telephones, small tools, and other tools and equipment as necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. Occasionally required to stand, walk, run, use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste, smell, feel or touch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The Atascadero Police Department has a peer support program and the City provides support to employees, offering four paid yearly support counseling sessions. 

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and comprehensive background check including a credit history, driving record, criminal activity, military and employment records, character references, polygraph exam, psychological check and medical exam (in accordance with the California P.O.S.T. minimum standards for employment).  Job related tests might be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.