Police Sergeant

Class Code: 316

POLICE SERGEANT

FLSA: Nonexempt

PURPOSE

Under general supervision, provides first-line supervision to police officers during an assigned patrol shift and other support staff assigned to special units within the City of Ypsilanti Police Department, and performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervises police officers performing various aspects of law enforcement activities; may supervise officers and support staff within special units; schedules and assigns work to subordinates.
• Evaluates the performance of subordinates and recommends corrective action appropriate for subordinates displaying performance problems, counsel employees who are having problems on the job and develop the capabilities of employees through setting appropriate goals; mediate conflicts between subordinates.
• Identifies training needs of employees and plans for needed training; develops, directs, and conducts training and evaluates results.
• Supervises and conducts tactical operations at unusual occurrences and determines the need for special units and additional resources.
• Conducts briefings and meets with subordinates to disseminate information regarding police activities; responds to field officers' requests for information and direction to properly handle police situations; provides information to supervisors regarding police activities.
• Enforces or directs the enforcement of federal, state, and city laws and ordinances; may plan, organize, and supervise special enforcement activities including raids, mass arrests, and selective enforcement.
• Ensures compliance with city rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements; ensures that the use of force is documented in accordance with departmental policy and investigates incidents; ensures that subordinate officers follow safety procedures and report hazards.
• Monitors and controls vehicular pursuits to ensure compliance with departmental policy and ensures associated reports and documentation are completed.
• Participates in and supervises the search of suspects and evidence.
• Assigns the collection and compilation of information for department and incident reports; supervises staff in preparing and executing search and arrest warrants.
• May provide input in the development of a division or bureau budget and expenditures.
• Coordinates police actions with other departments within the city to resolve unusual occurrences; coordinates and directs the interaction between police officers in the field, Washtenaw County Detention Center, and the Metro Communications Center.
• Develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates goals and objectives for a detail, section, or division; determines and recommends changes in working conditions, methods, or procedures to improve departmental operations; ensures proper staffing levels appropriate to the assignment.
• Operates police vehicles, radios, and other equipment in the performance of routine duties and emergency situations.
• Monitors and screens calls for service.
• Supervises, conducts and assists in overt and covert investigations of crimes and other incidents.
• Acts as a property custodian and manages all property that is assigned to the position.
• Prepares departmental reports and forms; and maintains related logs.
• Facilitates the interactive process between the community and the Ypsilanti Police Department to identify and resolve problems.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Minimum 5 years of policing and/or command experience.

 

• Thorough knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures; methods for providing feedback to employees, motivating and disciplining employees; basic counseling and employee interviewing techniques; leadership styles and methods of becoming an effective leader; appropriate evaluation methods and common rating errors; laws, statutes, ordinances, and court decisions and their interpretations; departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; Civil Service Rules; Labor Agreements affecting city employees; officer safety and liability concerns; and departmental resources and general community resources.

 

• Ability to organize, prioritize, schedule, assign, and delegate work; enforce departmental rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and objectives fairly and uniformly; identify training needs and develop, provide, and evaluate training; work under stressful emergency situations; communicate effectively with individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic, and culturally diverse backgrounds in a variety of situations; give and follow oral instructions in normal and stressful situations; give and follow written instructions; write clearly, accurately, and concisely, using appropriate spelling, grammar, and vocabulary; speak distinctly enough to be understood when giving verbal instructions and responding to questions in person or over the telephone and radio; actively listen and comprehend what is heard; use appropriate interpersonal styles and methods in guiding individuals and groups toward task accomplishment; establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, peers, and subordinates; analyze situations, people, and data in order to apply appropriate knowledge; exercise tact, self-restraint, compassion, and judgment in dealing with a variety of people in stressful and non-stressful situations; defend self and others from combatant individuals and qualify with department approved weapons; use persuasion and deal effectively with persons in differing emotional states; maintain confidentiality; and observe, assimilate, and recall pertinent facts and details of a broad range of situations.

 

 

 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, side handle baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, pager/mobile communication devices, first aid equipment.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

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.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in a controlled office environment. When necessary, the employee may work 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.

 

Revised 06242026