Police Officer

 Class Title:    Police Officer

Department:   Police

Pay Grade:     150

 Under general supervision, enforces traffic, motor vehicle and criminal laws.  Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation and related law enforcement activities.  May be assigned as a field training officer or shift supervisor.

 Supervision Received

 Works under the general supervision of a Sergeant or Shift Supervisor.

 Supervision Exercised

 One unless assigned as Shift Supervisor.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, as well as other duties that may be assigned.

 Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation at accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.

Responds as a first responder to ambulance and fire calls.

Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.

Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.

Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County and City laws and ordinances.

Patrols City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations and to otherwise serve and protect.

Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, thefts, assaults, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, trespass, vandalism, abuse of drugs, etc.  Takes appropriate law enforcement action.

Interrogates suspects, witnesses and drivers.  Preserves evidence.  Arrests violators.  Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents.  Summons ambulance and other law enforcement vehicles.  Takes measurements and draws diagrams of accident scene.

Conducts follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift.  Seeks out and questions victim, witnesses and suspects.  Develops leads and tips.  Searches scene of crimes for clues.  Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders.  Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.

Prepares a variety of reports and records.

Undertakes community-oriented police work and assists citizens with such matters as crime prevention, drug abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, etc.

Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits, obtaining evidence and compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.

Conducts patrol activities including directing traffic, investigation of reported or observed violations of law, and conducting patrol activities.

Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provide general information about Department activities.

Assists in the operation of the jail to include booking, records, feeding, release, and other areas as required.  Ensures that all applicable rules and regulations as set forth by Nebraska Jail Standards, the State of Nebraska and the City are enforced.

 Peripheral Duties

 Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.

May serve as a member of various employee committees.

 Desired Minimum Qualifications

 Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent.

 Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

        1)    Ability to read, write and understand the English language at eleventh grade level at a minimum;

        2)    Ability to meet the department's physical standards;

        3)    Some knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment;

        4)    Some skill in operating the tools and equipment necessary for job performance or ability to acquire skills;

        5)    Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances and department rules and regulations; ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors; ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to learn the City's geography; ability to meet marksmanship standards as set forth by the department; and the ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

 Special Requirements

        1)    Must be a citizen of the United States.

        2)    Must be 21 years of age or older.

        3)    Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid Nebraska Driver's License without record of suspension or revocation in any state.

        4)    Must be insurable through the City's insurance carrier.

        5)    May not have been convicted of any felony or any State, Federal, Military or Foreign Court of a crime punishable by imprisonment.

        6)    Must possess or obtain First Responder certification within one year of employment.

        7)    Satisfactory completion of basic training at Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center within one year of employment.

 Tools and Equipment Used

 All tools and equipment that may be necessary in performing the duties as a Police officer.

 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 also required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, controls, or tools necessary for job performance; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

 Must have normal hearing or hearing correctable to normal parameters and must exhibit no signs of irreversible disease that will affect hearing.

 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.

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in a variety of 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, human bodily fluids, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 Selection Guidelines

Formal application through Civil Service Commission; rating of education and experience; written test; oral interview; physical agility test; background investigation and reference check; psychological examination; other job related tests may be required.

 The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

 The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

 FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR

DESCRIPTION:

The duties of the Firearms Instructor include (1) retaining certification as a Firearms Instructor, (2) conducting routine firearms training in all weapons utilized by the department and certification in compliance with the standards of the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center (NLETC) and the department, (3) providing specialized training in Simmunition and other weapons training systems utilized by the department, (4) maintaining documentation of department weapons training as required by the State of Nebraska NLETC and the department, (5) direct the purchase, maintenance, and distribution of ammunition, (6) maintain the condition of special weapons utilized by the department, (7) supervise the maintenance of weapons utilized by officers of the department, (8) other duties as directed by the Chief of Police

 

EVIDENCE CUSTODIAN

 DESCRIPTION:

The Evidence Custodian shall (1) supervise the securing, handling, chain of custody, and laboratory submittal of evidence recovered by Officers, (2) maintain an Evidence Room assuring the proper security and chain of custody of evidence, (3) maintain records of evidence submitted to the Evidence Room as required by the State of Nebraska, the Courts, and the department, (4) transfer items of evidence in his/her custody in accordance with State Statutes and department policies, dispose of items of evidence and contraband in accordance with State Statutes and departmental policies, (5) other duties as directed by the Chief of Police.

TRAINING OFFICER/SELF DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR

 DESCRIPTION:

The Training Officer/Self Defense Instructor shall (1) maintain records of all training received by department personnel, (2) conduct training in Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) and other appropriate self defense techniques as required by the State of Nebraska NLETC and departmental policies, (3) maintain certification as an instructor in PPCT and other required techniques, (4) provide training to other law enforcement agency personnel and civilians personnel as directed by the Chief of Police, (5) assist in identifying and securing appropriate training for departmental personnel, (6) provide necessary documentation and records as required by the State of Nebraska and departmental policies to maintain appropriate required certification by department personnel, (7) other duties as directed by the Chief of Police.