Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Graduate) El Cajon

Position Description

Function: Under general supervision:

• Performs varied law enforcement duties;
• Enforces laws and regulations, and apprehends lawbreakers;
• Provides information, advice, and assistance to the public;
• Conducts crime investigations and performs special assignments in a particular phase of police work;
• Performs related work as required. 

Class Characteristics: Employees in this class perform from routine to difficult and responsible work associated with the rendering of police services. Employees are expected to efficiently handle a wide range of tasks with a minimum of supervision.

Representative Duties

General Duty Assignment: 

• Patrols an assigned area in a police unit, on a motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot;
• Answers radio calls and responds to routine and emergency calls and complaints;
• Investigates reported disorders or crimes and takes appropriate action;
• Checks security of commercial, public, and private property;
• Investigates suspicious vehicles or persons;
• Notes and reports traffic violations and apprehends violators;
• Directs traffic when required;
• Conducts initial and follow-up investigations including the gathering, labeling, preservation of evidence, identification and questioning of suspects and witnesses;
• Investigates and prepares reports on complaints, accidents, offenses, investigations, arrests, property, and other incidents;
• Serves warrants;
• Makes arrests and advises suspects of their rights;
• Searches, books, transports, and maintains custody of prisoners;
• Appears in court to testify regarding arrests and other law enforcement activities;
• Assists in crowd or parade control;
• Answers inquiries and provides information to the public;
• Administers first aid and rescues citizens when required;
• May assist in animal control;
• Participates in training sessions, courses, neighborhood watch, citizen alert, and other department-sponsored programs;
• May supervise non-sworn personnel, usually as part of a special duty assignment. 

Special Duty Assignment: 

• As a regular assignment, may serve as a detective conducting criminal, narcotic, vice or other related investigations;
• Inspects crime scenes and questions witnesses, retrieves information from law enforcement computer systems;
• Analyzes information and clues related to a crime to determine how it was committed;
• Conducts surveillance within legal guidelines;
• Reviews modus operandi of known criminals and crimes under investigation;
• Reports on the progress of investigations with other law enforcement agencies and prepares assigned cases for court;
• Investigates crimes against children, assists and coordinates with social services agencies, speaks to community groups on recognizing child abuse and reporting methods;
• Or, as a traffic officer, investigating traffic collision scenes, analyzing and reconstructing traffic collisions, calculating vehicle dynamics;
• Operating radar and enforcing traffic laws and ordinances;
• Or, as a desk officer, supervising the receipt and processing of calls for service, information and police reports, and the dispatching of police units, maintaining building security and the monitoring, documentation, and transportation of prisoners held at the station;
• Or, as a field training officer, coaching, training, and evaluating recruit police officers;
• May perform duties as a dog handler.

Contacts and Relationships

Employees deal with essentially all segments of society, often in situations requiring the exercise of the utmost in tact and discretion. Effective handling of the contacts with tact and within legal guidelines is of significant importance to a positive public reaction and acceptance of the police service.

Accountability

Employee is accountable for taking prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations applying learned techniques and procedures. Employee is expected to follow departmental rules, regulations and training guidelines. In addition, the employee is expected to deal effectively and courteously with the public.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Working Conditions: The employee is exposed to physical and verbal abuse occasionally to the point where life is threatened. The employee is expected to render services under essentially all weather conditions and at any hour.

Physical Condition: Shall possess the physical, mental, and emotional ability to perform the essential duties of the position without the threat of hazard to themselves or others.

Qualification Guidelines

Education: Educational achievement equivalent to the completion of high school, preferably supplemented by additional college level courses in police science, administration of justice or a related field.

 

Experience: None required.

 

Special Requirements: Possession of or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a valid Class C California driver's license with a safe driving record. Ability to obtain a Basic POST Certificate upon completion of the Police Academy and service requirement. Possession of or ability to obtain an advanced first aid and CPR card.

Abilities/Skills/Knowledge

• Ability to learn, understand, and interpret laws, ordinances, and department policies, regulations, and training procedures;
• Ability to learn modern police procedures and techniques;
• Ability to collect and preserve evidence and to use 35mm camera equipment;
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action;
• Ability to take and follow orders from supervisors;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Ability to write clear, concise, complete, and accurate reports;
• Ability to remember facts and details of incidents;
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public;
• Ability to develop skills in the use of firearms and interrogation techniques;
• Ability to learn and utilize appropriate radio protocol;
• Driving skill;
• Physical endurance and agility;
• Personality and temperament required to calmly and effectively handle oneself and others in emergency situations;
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to other cultures and to understand contemporary social issues affecting the community.
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Martin Rivera