Police Officer - Lateral

JOB The Police Officer position with the Town of Truckee offers an opportunity to serve and protect one of California's most vibrant mountain communities. Located in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, Truckee is known for its strong community values, year-round tourism, and active outdoor lifestyle. Given Truckee's seasonal population fluctuations and winter weather conditions, officers must demonstrate adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in diverse and sometimes challenging environments. This position offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a close-knit mountain community.

JOB DESCRIPTIONUnder general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and community-based policing duties involving crime prevention and investigation, protection of life and property, and enforcement of laws, codes, and ordinances; responds to various emergencies and calls for service; performs investigations and assists in the preparation of cases; provides information and assistance to the public; participates in community relations activities; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND

EXERCISEDReceives general supervision from assigned supervisory and/or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICSThis is the journey-level classification in the sworn Police Officer series responsible for performing a wide variety of community-based law enforcement duties in support of the Police Department. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from Police Sergeant in that the latter is the first supervisory level in this sworn class series responsible for organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of staff in an assigned unit.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Performs a variety of patrol and community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of identifying and deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, identifying and resolving community issues and problems, and providing assistance to the public.

Using a variety of methods, patrols an area of the Town to observe and address suspicious or potential criminal activity; responds to emergency calls for service, including, but not limited to, disturbances, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, deaths, and other incidents to protect public safety, life, and property; resolves problems and diffuses situations; enforces state and local laws, ordinances, and codes.

Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations. Observes, monitors, and controls traffic; stops and warns motorists or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorists with inoperable vehicles and arranges for removal of vehicles; provides traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or as needed.

Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility.

Secures crime scenes and evidence; conducts comprehensive investigations; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence; performs complete investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.

Prepares reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed; prepares and maintains other related reports, logs, records, and accurate files.

Represents the Town and the Police Department in special projects, public presentations, youth, and other community activities. Reviews local and regional crime trends for potential links and identifies trends; communicates with outside agencies to share and/or obtain information regarding investigations. Works with school administrators, teachers, counselors, and students to keep students safe, identify and resolve issues on campus, and prevent and investigate crime.

Provides initial medical assistance and first aid to injured persons as necessary.

Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, conferences, workshops, committees, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in law enforcement.

Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy.

Prepares cases for trial; testifies and presents evidence in court; coordinates activities of pre-trial investigation and preparation for the District Attorney's Office.

Researches, develops, and implements special programs as assigned; conducts training, education, and demonstrations.

Provides training to less experienced Officers as assigned; acts as the Officer in Charge as assigned.

Performs related duties as assigned.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Mobility to work primarily in a patrol and field environment; to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; to frequently walk, run, stand on uneven terrain, and climb and descend structures to access crime scenes and to identify problems or hazards; to frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work; and to work in a secondary office or station environment and use standard office equipment, including a computer.

Strength and stamina to apprehend, lift, carry, push, and pull victims, suspects, and equipment as determined within POST physical standards, which may include the use of proper equipment.

Vision and manual dexterity to operate vehicles including emergency response vehicles in all conditions, often at a high rate of speed in emergency situations; to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen.

Finger and manual dexterity are needed to operate police services equipment and firearms and to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard.

Hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio.

WORKING CONDITIONSThe principal duties of this class are performed in a field environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases; and outdoor conditions with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, moving vehicles, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Duties are also performed in an office or station environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Positions require overtime, weekend work, stand by, and shift work.