Patrol Officer

General Duties And Responsibilities

• To support the vision, mission and guiding principles of the City.
• While performing any procedure, all associates and contract personnel must observe applicable Safety, Health, and Environmental rules and guidelines.
• Attend and participate in training opportunities and seminars relevant to this position.
• Adhere to appropriate City operating procedures, benefit rules, employment, and safety policies/practices.
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Patrol Assignment. Maintains law and order and protects life and property to include: Patrols assigned geographic area; Receives and responds to dispatched calls; Investigates and takes appropriate action on assigned calls; Conducts security checks of businesses, parks, public building, industrial areas and residences; Issues citations and/or makes arrests for violations of laws including traffic violations and local ordinances; Prepares incident and accident reports; Attends and testifies in various levels of court, including Superior, State, Juvenile, Administrative and Municipal, on cases investigated or reports written; Responds to natural and man-made disasters; Locates defendants and serves criminal warrants; Assists with crowd control and security assignments at various public gatherings or incident scenes; Reports hazardous conditions on public roadways and bridges; Conducts surveillance; Provides assistance to the public as needed; Provides information and guidance regarding victim’s rights; Assesses victims, rendering aid to the injured prior to EMS arrival; Requests assistance of other agencies including emergency and towing services; Processes arrested persons following established procedures; Renders aid to other law enforcement personnel; Attends/participates in daily roll call including inspection and training prior to going on duty; participates in training programs to improve knowledge and skills; performs a minimum of twenty training hours to include firearms, defensive driving, use of force, and legal updates; performs specialized short or long term assignments including administrative, technical and investigative duties as required; duties to include but not limited to court, City Hall security and , transporting inmates to and from medical facilities; may serve as field training officer; works with public, civic organizations, etc. in conducting community activities.
• Traffic Assignment. Maintains traffic control through observation and the use of speed detection devices; conducts road closures; detains and tests drivers suspected of driving under the influence; Directs traffic at scene; prepares accident reports; Conducts and prepares investigations of vehicle accidents; Attends/participates in daily roll call including inspection and training prior to going on duty; participates in training programs to improve knowledge and skills; performs specialized short or long term assignments including administrative, technical and investigative duties as required; Duties include special details that include but are not limited to assisting the public with various traffic related concerns; surveying intersections for new traffic control devices including but not limited to stop signs and speed signs; works with public, civic organizations, etc. in conducting community activities.
• Community Oriented Policing: Maintains peace within controlled community settings: investigates community incidents; collects evidence and property; completes incident and accident reports; serves warrants; testifies in court; gathers victim, defendant and witness information; prepares and delivers oral presentations in school and community settings; works with at-risk populations; analyzes data on crime trends and citizen complaints and determines appropriate response; plans and organizes community involvement; participates in problem-solving activities aimed at reducing crime and increasing community safety.
• Receives and responds to dispatched calls; Investigate and take appropriate action on assigned calls;
• Conducts security checks of businesses, parks, public building, industrial areas and residences;
• Issues citations and/or makes arrests for violations of laws including traffic violations and local ordinances;
• Prepares incident and accident reports;
• Attends and testifies in various levels of court, including Superior, State, Juvenile, Administrative and Municipal, on cases investigated or reports written;
• Provides assistance to the public as needed; provide information and guidance regarding victim’s rights; assess victims, rendering aid to the injured prior to EMS arrival;
• Processes arrested persons following established procedures;
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Job Scope

• The purpose of this position is to protect the public and ensure a safe environment within the City of Union City as well as surrounding communities. Successful implementation of the work results in a safer atmosphere and a decrease in citizen victimization.
• The work involves performing various duties in protecting life and property and enhancing public safety in the City of Union City. The incumbent is required to perform varied duties including physical observation, simultaneous operation of vehicle and computer, processing reports and interpersonal communication – often in adverse situations. Diversity of population served, rapid growth in population and rotating shifts add to the complexity.
• Job has recurring work situations involving moderate degrees of discretion. The need for accuracy and effective utilization of accepted programs and procedures is high. Errors in judgment and execution will waste time and resources adversely impacting unit performance. Incumbent operates independently but work is verified by supervision.
  
  

Supervisory Controls: The patrol sergeant assigns work in terms of departmental goals and objectives. The work is reviewed through reports and observation of activities.

Guidelines: Guidelines include federal, state and City ordinances and regulations and departmental policies and procedures governing law enforcement action, including court procedures. These guidelines require sound judgment and interpretation in application.

Communications/Customer Contact

Contacts are typically with other law enforcement officers, emergency personnel, citizens, victims, witnesses, defendants, judges, attorneys and other city employees. Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, resolve conflicts, and provide services and protection.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent; Associate’s degree preferred; valid Georgia Driver’s license; US citizen ; at least 21 years of age; meets POST requirements for Peace Officer Certification and/or academy admittance pursuant to GA law; successful completion of the pre employment process which includes written exam, oral interview, background check, criminal records and traffic history check, medical and drug screening, polygraph evaluation, successful completion of Police Academy; equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of law enforcement concepts and terminology, including criminal investigation, law enforcement and crime prevention; first-aid principles and techniques; report preparation and record keeping; and human behavior theories related to criminology, crisis intervention and crowd control;
• Knowledge of laws and court decisions pertaining to law enforcement, including search and seizure, suspects and prisoner’s rights, and custody and protection of evidence; operational principles and practices of criminal investigation, law enforcement and crime prevention; court and trial procedures;
• Knowledge of the use and effects of law enforcement weapons; methods of self-defense and physical restraint;
• Knowledge of Union City Police Department, policies and procedures; geographic layout of City; vocabulary of technical/specialized fields of law enforcement such as identification, detention and pathology;
• Skill in learning, interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws and regulations; reading and interpreting documents such as maps, diagrams and textbooks;
• Skill in performing accurate mathematical calculations; comprehending and retaining factual information and applying what is learned;
• Skill in observing and remembering details of events, names, faces, numbers and physical descriptions; preparing and maintaining clear, accurate and concise reports and files;
• Skill in communicating effectively in both verbal and written form; exercising tact, self-restraint, judgment and strategy in dealing with people of all races, ethnicities and socio-economic groups and who may have emotional or physical difficulties;
• Skill in exercising sound independent judgment in emergency or stressful situations; correctly interpreting a given situation and taking appropriate action under a variety of conditions;
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies;
• Ability to operate the computer and various programs;
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Ability to gather, assemble, analyze and evaluate facts and evidence and to draw sound conclusions; working ability to obtain valid information by interview and interrogation;
• Ability to work rotating shifts, varying hours and be on call.
  
  

Equipment And Applications

• Computers and peripheral equipment
• Designated software applications
• Telephones, copiers and other office equipment
• Firearms and other related use of force equipment