Police Officer

Positions assigned to this class provide quality services to citizens including the protection and preservation of life and property and the maintenance of a safe environment; investigates crime and performs crime prevention work; enforce Federal, State and local laws and regulations.The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks may vary over time depending on the City’s needs.

• Patrol a designated area in a vehicle and/or on foot to detect and deter the commission of crimes; conduct business checks and bar checks; enforce traffic laws, other laws and ordinances; identify areas of potential crime and unsafe conditions. 
• Respond to calls for service for both emergency and non-emergency situations; administer first aide and/or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and conduct area evacuations when necessary; assist other departments and agencies such as fire, animal control and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team at emergency scenes. 
• Prepare detailed written incident reports; fill out forms and complete records; prepare summonses; draw sketches and diagrams. 
• Coordinate activities with other officers, detectives and supervisors as necessary to make arrests or implement strategies for specific tasks. 
• Secure areas considered to be crime scenes and conduct searches of various areas, people, buildings, properties and cars; identify, collect and preserve evidence using proper methods and protocol; locate witnesses and victims for interviews; arrest and interrogate suspects; conduct death notifications to next of kin. 
• Conduct a variety of criminal investigations involving federal, state and local crimes; gather evidence and prepare cases for prosecution. 
• Attend civil and criminal hearings to testify as a witness for the State of Arizona; responsible for the execution of court orders; serve Order of Protections and Injunctions Against Harassment; serve warrants and subpoenas. 
• Provide interviews to defense attorneys, prosecutors and internal affairs investigators as needed. 
• May perform various collateral duties or other special tasks depending on area of assignment and/or expertise. 
• Support City policies, goals and objectives and work with management and other staff to ethically achieve such goals and objectives; ensure compliance with safety procedures.

Education and Experience
Must possess a high school diploma or GED, and served as a Police Recruit for the City of Apache Junction immediately preceding AZPOST certification or graduated from AZPOST Academy program and received AZPOST certification within six (6) months prior to appointment; or one (1) year fulltime paid permanent experience as a police officer, deputy sheriff or equivalent in the last three (3) years and have completed agency probation period and acquire/receive AZPOST certification within three (3) months of appointment.Knowledge

• Federal and State statutes, Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, public safety, Department policies and procedures and City personnel rules and regulations; Arizona traffic laws and City Codes. 
• Current communication technology including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and wireless services. 
• Law enforcement methods, practices and procedure including but not limited to case laws governing arrest, rules of evidence, probable cause, search and seizure and investigative and interrogative procedures, techniques for observation and memorization of details. 

Skills

• Handling and using Police issued weapons and equipment including but not limited to Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) and specialized software, ballistic vest, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, firearm, safety gloves, baton, handcuffs, radio and operating various types of vehicles, determining the appropriate use of force in a situation. 
• Maintaining composure and working effectively under stressful and potentially hazardous situations; dealing with the public in a professional manner under adverse situations. 
• Gathering and evaluating facts and evidence to draw logical conclusions. 
• Following and effectively communicating instructions; working as a team with other officers, departments and agencies.

Pre-employment Requirements
Candidates who are selected for appointment may be required to be fingerprinted, if 18 or older; successfully complete a background investigation, employment verification and may be subject to a drug/alcohol test, medical, polygraph and/or psychological evaluation. Candidates who are nominated for appointment will be required to pass the Peace Officer Physical Aptitude Test (POPAT) prior to appointment. Candidates who are appointed will be required to possess a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle in Arizona or meet the transportation needs of the position.

License/Certification
Certified by Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) or able to achieve AZPOST certification within three (3) months of appointment.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
Work requires walking, running, climbing, sitting and driving. Required to perform a full range of motion with lifting and/or carrying items weighing up to 100 pounds and exerting force between 20 and 50 pounds. Possible exposure to potentially hazardous, uncontrollable and life-threatening situations. May be in contact with hostile or resistant individuals.