Police Officer - CERTIFIED

SUMMARY 
Patrols assigned beat on foot, motorcycle, bicycle, or in patrol car control traffic, prevent crime or disturbance of peace, and arrest violators. May perform assigned work in either a uniformed or non-uniformed capacity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

On an assigned shift, operates a motor vehicle or walks to observe for violation of traffic laws, suspicious activities or persons and disturbances of law and order

Responds to communication dispatches to answer calls and complaints

Assists persons in distress to include mentally ill, violent, criminally motivated and often impaired or socially challenged

Makes arrests following service of warrants, personal observation of offenses, and individual investigation with a working knowledge of searchable and seizure; criminal traffic and civil law 

Participates in criminal investigations, community problem solving that includes recognized community policing tenants 

Testifies in court, often on days off as directed by subpoena

Directs traffic as required and report unsafe conditions in streets or other public facilities 

Works in circumstances that requires video and audio recordings of daily interaction with the public

Prepares detailed reports for permanent record or inter-department use

Recovers stolen and lost property 

Assigned to shift work duty that includes both day and night shift; works frequently weekends and holidays

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 
This job has no supervisory responsibilitiesQUALIFICATIONS  
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be legally compliant to possess and certify with an issued handgun according to Virginia law.             

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 
Associate's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school with a major in social  or police science desirable but not required; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Successful completion of basic law enforcement academy and the probationary period as police officer.LANGUAGE SKILLS 
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively with groups of customers or employees of organization.

REASONING ABILITY 
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 
Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Successful completion of recertification required by the Commonwealth of Virginia on biennial basis. 

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 regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 125 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.