Police Officer I

Performs responsible general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property in the Town. An employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties in the patrol or investigations division or as a school resource officer (SRO).  Work includes patrolling the Town during a shift in a police car, on foot, by bicycle, or other appropriate means preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; investigating traffic accidents, helping victims, and performing traffic control work; apprehending suspects; testifying in court; and executing related assignments.  Work also includes serving as School Resource Officer performing law enforcement work on a school campus.  Employees must exercise judgment, initiative and calm control when performing duties, but more difficult problems are normally carried out under the direction of or in conjunction with the Police Sergeant.   Work involves frequent public contact which requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness.  Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from superior officers.  Employees are subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work.  The employees are also subject to Level III OSHA Standards on blood borne pathogens.  Work is performed under regular supervision, and is evaluated through observation, review of reports, and discussion concerning how particular incidents or activities were handled.

New incentive bonus program effective July 1, 2021: Recruitment Bonus Program
Recruitment incentives to be paid after successful completion of field training:

• Lateral Bonus for NC Certified Officers $1,000
• Military Bonus $1,000 (Honorable Discharge)
• Bilingual/Fluent in Foreign Language $1,000 (Spanish, Arabic and/or Asian Languages and testing shall occur to determine if fluent in the languages)
• Education Bonuses (one per applicant and the degree must be job related as approved by the Chief of Police in coordination with the Human Resources Department. The degree must be from an accredited college).
• Associate’s Degree $1,000 or
• Bachelor’s Degree $2,000 or
• Master’s Degree $2,500

If an applicant has a combination of any of the above criteria, they may receive no more than a bonus total of $5,500. You must be BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Training) certified.  Please make sure you download, complete form and attach the F-3  and the FVPD Supplemental Employment Application form (You MUST download form before completing).  Both documents must be completed and turned in with the Online Employment Application to be considered for the Police Officer position.  

• Patrols streets in a police car, on foot, by bicycle or other appropriate means; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions, may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, and other’s needs; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citations; directs traffic and participates in other emergency operation activities.
• Performs investigations of crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, suspects, and victims, and gathering physical evidence; performs investigative tasks; arrests and processes criminal suspects; maintains detailed case files; conducts follow-up investigations, develops sources, and leads; maintains chain of custody of evidence; coordinates cases with DA’s office; testifies in court.
• Serves as School Resource Officer; establishes trust and effective working relationships with school administration, faculty, staff, students, and parents; plans and executes effective traffic management; coordinates and participates in security and law enforcement for special school events; investigates crimes that occur on campus; provides personal counseling on law enforcement and behavioral issues as requested.
• Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; testifies in court; executes search warrants; serves papers as needed.
• Regulates and directs vehicular traffic at busy times or when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require; maintains order at public gatherings.
• Performs funeral and bank escorts.
• Operates a two-way radio to receive instructions and information from or to report information to police headquarters.
• Prepares detailed records and reports of activities.
• Uses a variety of software programs to prepare incident reports, perform research, check driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, check for outstanding warrants and related research.
• Performs special projects as assigned by the department such as helping with background investigations of applicants, helping install or maintain security of technology, and helping coordinate in-service training.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and policies of the police department, especially relating to arrest, search and seizure, and traffic control.
• Knowledge of the application of information technology to the work.
• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
• Working knowledge of scientific criminal detection and identification methods.
• Skilled in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense and de-escalation tactics.
• Skilled in collaborative conflict resolution.
• Ability to communicate clearly over radio and other technology.
• Ability to operate a computer terminal.
• Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective relations with the citizens, coworkers, other law enforcement agencies, and Town officials.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol.

Education and Experience

• Graduation from high school and some law enforcement training or experience.

Special Requirement

• Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina Driver's license and have completed at least the minimum requirement established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Council for certified law enforcement officers, with possession of a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate. Ability to obtain required certifications.

Additional Information

• The starting salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's skills and qualifications.   
• This position is designated as critical personnel, requiring performance of duties during inclement weather or other emergency situations to ensure continuity of town services.