Police Officer (Lateral) Sacramento

DEFINITION
To provide services through the enforcement of laws and ordinances.
 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The classification of Police Officer is a journey level classification assigned full arrest and citation powers under the California Penal Code. Police Officer is distinguished from the Police Officer Recruit classification in that it has full police authority to carry out the enforcement of laws and ordinances while the Police Officer Recruit is a recruiting and training-level classification with no police authority. Police Officer is distinguished from the Police Sergeant classification in that it is a journey level classification which has no supervisory responsibilities except for training new employees while the Police Sergeant has supervisory responsibility and directs work of subordinate personnel on a continual basis. Police Officers receive assignments and special instruction from higher ranking officers who also review the Police Officer's work.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
General supervision is provided by higher level sworn personnel.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Depending upon assignments, duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Patrol a designated area of the city on foot, on a motorcycle, or in a patrol car, jeep or van to preserve order, prevent crime discover criminal acts, and make arrests.
• Answer radio dispatched or citizens' request for police services at accident scenes, domestic disputes, law violations, and peace disturbances.
• Conduct investigations, gather evidence, interview witnesses, take statements, make arrests, write citations and/or make written reports at crime or accident scenes.
• Promote and ensure a community-based policing philosophy and strategy, in which collaborative problem solving with citizens and other stakeholders is coveted.
• Attend, participate, and represent the department at a variety of community events; participate in community engagement activities; build and maintain relationships with community members.
• Provide first aid to injured or sick subjects.
• Testify in court at criminal hearings and trials.
• Provide traffic control at accident scenes, fires, and congested areas.
• May work in plain clothes to conduct follow-up investigations, and to suppress vice or narcotics activities.
• Conduct line-ups for identification of suspects.
• Attend community meetings to discuss crime problems.
• Evaluate and control violent situations and persons; emphasize de-escalation tactics when appropriate.
• Order and direct emergency equipment at accident and disaster scenes. Search for missing persons.
• Drive vehicles under hazardous and emergency conditions. Train new employees in proper police procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and city codes and ordinances relating to law enforcement. 
• Modern approved principles and procedures of police work.
• Department rules and regulations.
• General Orders and directives.
• City streets and principal locations.
• Court and evidence procedures.
• Court decisions affecting police practices.
• Radio procedures.
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation tools.

 
Ability to:

• Communicate in English in a clear, distinct, and understandable manner when speaking to individuals, to people of different socio-economic levels, before various public and community groups, and when testifying in court.
• Write clearly, accurately, concisely, and legibly using correct English, grammatical construction, and spelling.
• Read and interpret complex technical documents in English. 
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Observe, assimilate, remember, record, and recall pertinent facts and details. 
• Read maps and mapped information.
• Apply selected knowledge (i.e., laws, statutes, court decisions, department policies, criminal investigation theories, etc.) in collecting, organizing, and analyzing a variety of information to decide on an appropriate and reasonable course of action.
• Effectively work with, serve, and communicate impartially with individuals of a variety of culturally diverse and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Analyze problems and rationally and calmly take effective action in emergency and stressful situations.
• Evaluate and de-escalate stressful and volatile situations.
• Plan and effectively present material orally to diverse groups. 
• Deal courteously but firmly with the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and other City employees.
• Use firearms safely and accurately.
• Climb barriers, jump obstacles, and perform strenuous physical activities. 
• Control resisting subjects with a minimum of force necessary to effect an arrest.
• Use modern computer equipment including but not limited to in car mobile data computers, in car video and audio recording devices, body cameras, electronic mapping and GPS equipment, and specialized tracking equipment.

Skill in:

• Driving a vehicle under hazardous conditions.
• The use of ancillary police weaponry and weaponless defense.
• The use of first aid, including but not limited to Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation techniques.

Experience and Education:
 
I. (1) Successful completion of the Sacramento Police Academy as a City of Sacramento Police Officer Recruit; and (2) Completion of sixty (60)* semester units, or ninety (90) quarter units, from an accredited college or university. (As outlined in the Police Officer Recruit classification specification and Civil Service Board Rules and Regulations).            

-OR-

II. (1) Successful completion of the Sacramento Police Academy as a City of Sacramento Community Service Officer; and (2) Completion of sixty (60)* semester units, or ninety (90) quarter units, from an accredited college or university. (As part of the Employee Development Program identified in the City Charter).

-OR -

III. BASIC ACADEMY GRADUATE – (1) Completion of sixty (60) semester units, or ninety (90) quarter units from an accredited college or university; and (2) Possession of a valid P.O.S.T Basic Certificate or Basic Course Waiver issued by the State of California and received within three (3) years of the date of appointment.

-OR -
 
IV. LATERAL ENTRY - Completion of sixty (60) semester units, or ninety (90) quarter units from an accredited college or university; and (2) Possession of a valid P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate issued by the State of California; and (3) Current employment as a full- time sworn peace officer in a California P.O.S.T. participating law enforcement department or agency; and two (2) years as a full-time sworn peace officer in a California P.O.S.T participating law enforcement department or agency.
 
-AND-
 
Be a high school graduate, have passed the General Education Development (GED) Test or other high school equivalency test approved by the State Department of Education that indicates high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university.
 
Substitution:
 
Four (4) years of honorable military service can substitute for the sixty (60) semester units, or ninety (90) quarter units' educational requirement.
 
*Twenty-six (26) semester college units are earned upon graduation from the Sacramento Police Academy and applied to the sixty (60) semester unit requirement.

Martin Rivera