Police Officer

Job Summary
Performs police work by enforcing laws and ordinances including traffic laws.  Activities include responding to calls for service, preventing, detecting and investigating crimes, proactive patrol and providing assistance to citizens requesting service and/or information.

• Patrols the City to identify crimes in progress, suspicious activity, and traffic violations
• Answers calls for service such as reports of crime, accidents, disturbances, and non-crime related services
• Prepares written reports of all crimes and accidents investigated
• Enforces traffic laws and ordinances
• Processes subjects arrested
• Provides services to prisoners as required
• Attends roll call, firearms training, Department meetings, and in-service training programs
• Safely operates a motor vehicle in excess of posted speed limits in emergency situations, when necessary; including simultaneous operation of communication equipment and vehicle lights and sirens
• Safely engages in the use of firearms in emergency situations to protect one's self and the public
• Safely engages in crowd control with the use of force, appropriate under the circumstances
• Follow City-wide safety policy and practices and adheres to responsibilities concerning safety prevention, reporting and monitoring as outlined in the City's Loss Control Handbook
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
Knowledge of:

• Federal, State and local laws and ordinances and any changes to said laws throughout tenure
• City and department policies and procedures
• Methods, objectives and procedures of law enforcement practices
• Methods, objectives and procedures of court proceedings
• Standard first-aid administration
• Personal computers and job-related software
• Police equipment, including vehicles, speed radar units, communications units, body armor, handcuffs, firearms, batons, and other related equipment
• Crime prevention and education techniques

Ability to:

• Work independently as well as in teams
• Understand and apply departmental, state, and local law enforcement procedures, policies, rules, and regulations
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively, to recognize actual and potential dangers, and to determine proper course of action
• Cope with stressful situations calmly, fairly, tactfully, and with respect for individual rights
• Establish and maintain effective relations with fellow employees and with citizens with varied racial, ethnic or economic backgrounds
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of firearms
• Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports
• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times
• Respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner
• Make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations, and established procedures
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks
• Learn new aspects of police work depending on specialty assignment areas

Skills in:

• Communicating clearly and concisely, orally and in writing

Supervision Received

• The work is performed under the supervision of the Patrol Sergeant

Supervision Exercised

• None

Minimum Qualifications

• At least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of employment
• High school diploma or GED or equivalent
• Missouri Class A POST Certification; or be able to obtain at time of appointment
• A valid Missouri driver's license or be able to obtain before appointment
• Non-certified may be considered on a case-by-case basis to establish future police academy eligibility list

Desirable Qualifications

• One (1) to three (3) years law enforcement experience
• Associates Degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Work Environment
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.

• Frequently works and/or is exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, and extreme heat.
• Usually maintains a moderate noise level.
• Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.
• Occasionally works in highly precarious places with explosives.
• Occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration.

Essential Physical Abilities

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, communicate effectively, interrogate and interview people, discern noises that may require investigation, and perform telephone and radio communication
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, perform surveillance, sight and shoot a firearm, gather evidence at crime scenes, and coordinate and conduct detailed investigations
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to use a firearm safely and effectively, direct traffic, write reports, utilize equipment required for the performance of duties, and operate a vehicle
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, stamina, strength, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to direct traffic, bend or stoop repeatedly, maneuver through and over rough, uneven, slippery or rocky terrain, climb over fences and walls as necessary, perform search activities for extended periods of time, and perform all duties required in a law enforcement environment. 

Selection Requirements
Requirements are not limited to those listed below.  The City has the right to change, add, or eliminate pre-employment requirements at any time.

• Completion of job application and all supplemental information
• Oral interview
• Background check
• Fingerprinting
• Polygraph or voice analysis test
• Psychological test
• Drug and alcohol screen
• Physical fit-for-duty examination
• Pre-Employment Exam