POLICE OFFICER (LATERAL) (121st CLASS)

Under direct supervision of a Police Sergeant or higher rank, this employee is assigned to the Police Academy for training to become a Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the Police Academy curriculum, they will be classified as a Police Officer and assigned to a patrol unit for the purpose of protecting life and property, crime prevention, enforcing laws and ordinances, arresting violators, making forcible arrests if necessary, investigating accidents and complaints, securing evidence and preserving the peace within as assigned beat (geographical unit). Performs related duties as required.

Additional Statement Regarding the 121st (Lateral) Class:
Members of the 121st (Lateral) Class, upon graduation, will be placed at the salary step of a Police Officer, commensurate with their full-time years of prior law enforcement service, at a salary step no higher than 5, of the Police Officer classification. The Police Chief has the final authority on which step a member will be in. 

Members of the 121st (Lateral) Class, upon graduation, will accrue vacation time commensurate with their full-time years of prior law enforcement service, at a 1:1 ratio, with no maximum accrual rate applied. The Police Chief has the final authority on a transferring member’s accrual rate.   

Full-time years of law enforcement service will be counted towards years of service for purposes of longevity pay. The years shall transfer at a 1:1 ratio. The Police Chief has the final authority on this matter.

Members of the 121st (Lateral) Class will receive a prorated holiday allotment based on the quarter in which the date of graduation falls.  

Applicants from Ohio must possess a current Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) peace officer certification and must be currently employed full time by a law enforcement agency* in a peace officer capacity with a minimum of two (2) years of experience. 

Out of State Applicants:
Applicants from out-of-state must possess a current Peace Officer certificate in their state of employment and be currently employed full time by a law enforcement agency* in a peace officer capacity with a minimum of two (2) years of experience. Applicants must complete the Ohio Peace Training Academy reciprocal process and obtain a valid OPOTC peace officer certification to receive a conditional job offer from the Chief of Police. 

Full time will be defined as continuous employment with a minimum of 32 hours worked weekly. Two (2) years will be defined as having two (2) consecutive years of full-time employment and are currently employed full-time by a law enforcement agency. 

Applicants' employing law enforcement agency must have jurisdictional authority to make arrests (felony and misdemeanor), as well as patrol City, County and State roadways.

*The following are not considered to be equivalent to a law enforcement agency: health care facilities, mental health care facilities, and correctional facilities. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be in excellent physical condition and successfully complete a physical ability test.
Must satisfactorily complete a background investigation which includes a polygraph examination.
Must satisfactorily complete a behavior assessment evaluation.
Applicants must be free from alcohol and drug dependency and possess emotional stability due to the sensitive and stressful nature of this position.
Applicants must be free from felony convictions.
Must successfully complete the Cincinnati Police Academy training program.
Must successfully pass state certification as a police officer.
Must have a valid Ohio, Indiana, or Kentucky driver license, or eligible to obtain one at the time of appointment.
Complete Personal History Questionnaire
Must be willing to work irregular hours, weekends, and holidays.(Illustrative only. Any one position within this classification may not include all of the tasks listed, nor do the listed examples include all of the tasks which might be performed.)

Conducts preliminary investigations as the first responder on the scene including interviewing affected persons, crime scene
Enforces laws and ordinances and issues citations. preservation and requesting medical assistance.
Makes decisions concerning appropriate use of force with regard to making arrests or defending oneself; uses firearm, baton, chemical irritant and/or other means of force appropriately.
Serves warrants and makes arrests.
Testifies in court.
Maintains records of investigations, criminal activities, conditions that warrant treatment or attention, and makes reports.
Creates a favorable public image of the Police Division through courteous treatment, neat appearance in all public contacts.
Attends community meetings; gives talks and demonstrations on police related topics of community interest.
Refers persons to the proper social agencies.
Controls traffic and spectators at the scene of an emergency or other events.
Investigates public complaints.
Maintains vehicle and other assigned equipment. Inspects buildings and commercial establishments to keep secure.
Performs vehicle or foot patrol.