Job Summary:

Under direction of the Patrol Sergeant, employee performs law enforcement and crime prevention work, including but not limited to; patrolling assigned areas, responding to emergency calls, enforcing state and local traffic regulations, detecting and investigating crime, maintaining law and order, and a variety of other special assignments in support of Police operations.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Patrols designated areas of the City to preserve law and order; discover and prevent the commission of crimes; and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
2. Responds to calls and complaints involving automobile accidents as well as misdemeanor and felony offenses.
3. Responds to general calls for service including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, and a variety of other incidents.
4. Assists in collecting, processing, photographing, and presenting evidence using scientific techniques including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence.
5. Checks buildings for physical security.
6. Enforces traffic laws and ordinances; issues warnings and citations, directs traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
7. Conducts traffic accident investigations in accordance with State law and departmental guidelines.
8. Assists with conducting a variety of criminal investigations involving crimes against persons and property, gathers evidence and prepares cases for prosecution.
9. Identifies suspects, conducts interviews and interrogations, apprehends and arrests offenders.
10. Contacts and interviews victims and witnesses; preserve and investigate crime scenes.
11. Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
12. Maintains contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the general public; takes an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.
13. May be assigned to assist with a variety of crime prevention and community activities, including acting as a representative of the Department in the making of presentations to public groups.
14. Makes arrests as necessary; interviews victims, complainants and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; testifies and presents evidence in court.
15. Serves warrants from this and other law enforcement agencies; remains current on laws and procedures required for processing warrants.
16. Assists other officers in the resolution of complex problems and situations.
17. Prepares detailed reports of arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed in accordance with department guidelines.
18. Stops drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; warn drivers against unlawful practices or issues citations and makes arrests as necessary.
19. Assists ambulance attendants and firefighters and performs emergency efforts to save life and property.
20. Ability to successfully complete continuing education courses as assigned.
21. Properly maintains, and is accountable for, department owned equipment.
22. Uses force in short and moderate duration.
23. Uses restraining devices.
24. Uses restraining / control holds.
25. Uses hands / feet for self defense.
26. May train and/or supervise others.
27. May perform other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Police or his/her staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a United States Citizen;
• Must possess, or be able to obtain prior to employment, a valid Texas driver’s license.
• Must be at least 18 years of age, but if younger than 21 must have one of the following:
  • Associates degree or 60 college semester credit hours.
  • 2 years of military service; or
  • Received an honorable discharge from the United States forces after at least two years of service;
• Cannot currently be, nor have been within the last ten years, under court ordered community supervision   or probation for any offense above the grade of a Class C misdemeanor;
• Cannot have been convicted of any Class A or Class B misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years;
• Cannot ever have been convicted of any offense classified as a felony;
• Cannot ever have been convicted of any offense involving family violence;
• Cannot be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle;
• Cannot be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition;
• Must meet one of the following educational requirements:
  • High School graduate; or
  • Have passed a general educational development (GED) test indicating a high school graduation level and have passed at least twelve (12) semester credit hours from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 2.0 or better; or
  • An honorable discharge from the armed forces of the United States at least 24 months of active duty service;
• Must not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions, specifically
  • under other than honorable conditions;
  • bad conduct;
  • dishonorable; or
  • any other characterization of service indicating bad behavior;
• Cannot have had a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCOLE) license denied by final order or revoked, or have a voluntary surrender of license currently in effect;
• Must meet the minimum TCOLE training standards and pass the TCOLE examination for each license sought;
• Cannot have violated any TCOLE rule or provision of Occupation Code, Chapter 1701;
• Must be of good moral character;
• Must be capable of performing all essential job functions;
• Must pass the TCOLE licensing examination for licensing as a peace officer;
• Must successfully complete the following:
  • Written Examination and Interview
  • Physical fitness assessment test
  • Polygraph
  • Thorough background investigation (including being fingerprinted and subject to a search of local, state, and national records and fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record)
  • Medical examination (including a drug screen) and Psychological Examination;
• Must meet and continue to comply with any and all other TCOLE requirements for licensing;
• Maintain a good driving record and have good driving skills;
• Ability to communicate (read, write and speak) effectively in the English language;
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, the geographic layout of the City and landmarks;
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, the principles, practices and procedures of police work and related department regulations;
• Attend and understand police officer training courses;
• Ability to read and comprehend laws and regulations, and to follow departmental policies and procedures;
• Ability to think clearly and act effectively in emergency situations;
• Ability to write clear and accurate reports;
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with peers, supervisors, and the public;
• Ability to work under stressful conditions for extended periods of time;
• Ability to successfully complete the required departmental field training program and probationary periods;
• Must arrive at work on time;
• Must maintain a regular and reliable level of attendance.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in various environments such as indoors, outdoors, and inside vehicles.  Work outdoors is subject to mechanical, electrical, chemical, fire, and explosive hazards. There may also be some environmental or safety hazards associated with work performed indoors. Work may be subject to extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, wetness, humidity, wind, dirt and dust.  Work may involve other hazards such as darkness, heights, odors, fumes, and situations where there may be a risk of bodily injury.  Work may be subject to time pressures, frequent changes to tasks, working closely with others as part of a team, working alone 50% or more of the time, emergency and / or crisis situations, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, and dealing with irate or hysterical people.  Some work may be conducted in confined, cramped work areas.  Work may be tedious and exacting when preparing reports and operating firearms. Work will include a substantial amount of driving, which requires that employee remain alert even though this work may be tedious and boring at times.  Work will require the ability to work rotating shifts.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the ability to walk, run, climb, stand, stoop, squat, crouch, twist, reach, push, pull, and kneel while performing duties such as investigation of criminal activities and arresting suspects.  Position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time in a vehicle or at a desk.  Must be able to use and care for firearms.  Must have the ability to visually inspect or observe suspects and drive a patrol car.  Visual discrimination is required to identify suspect’s clothing, features, and license plates; good night vision and color perception is required.  Must be able to lift, carry, and drag objects or persons weighing up to 100 lbs.  Must have the ability to operate foot and hand operated controls on vehicle.  The ability to hear commands and other personnel in emergency and non-emergency situations is required.  Fine dexterity with finger and hands required to handle items, operate telecommunications equipment, and operate firearms is required.  Must be able to walk and run short and moderate distances, climb stairs and ladders,  jump and avoid obstacles,  push and pull heavy objects weighing up to 100 lbs., and  bend, stoop, squat, and reach.

NOTE:  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills and physical demands required.