Police Officer

General Description:

The purpose of this class within the organization is to enforce the law and maintain order. This class works under close supervision according to set procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Essential Functions:

Investigates a variety of criminal offenses involving crimes against property; participates in investigations of crimes against persons. Operates a patrol car, bicycle, or walk to observe violations of traffic laws, suspicious activities or persons and disturbances of law and order. Communicates with citizens to solve problems. Responds to radio dispatches and answer calls and complaints. Serves warrants, makes arrest and maintains custody of those arrested. Testifies in court. Provides police escorts. Directs traffic. Participates in special assignments. Reports unsafe conditions existing in street or other public facilities. Assists with criminal investigations by presenting evidence, interviewing victims and witnesses, preparing property and evidence, recording and issuing of evidence in court cases', extracts videos for evidence. Investigates a wide variety of criminal offenses, including larceny, auto theft, and fraud. Prepares reports on investigations, offenses, arrests, and activities.

Additional Duties :

Provides security to schools; mentors/counsels students. Provides courteous checks to local businesses. Meets with Commonwealth Attorneys. Performs related work as assigned.

Responsibilities, Requirements and Impacts Data Responsibility:

Data Responsibility refers to information, knowledge, and conceptions obtained by observation, investigation, interpretation, visualization, and mental creation. Data are intangible and include numbers, words, symbols, ideas, concepts, and oral verbalizations. Collects, classifies or formats data or information in accordance with a prescribed schema or plan to facilitate the identification and extraction of useful information.

People Responsibility:

People include co-workers, workers in other areas or agencies and the general public. Provides information, guidance or assistance to people that directly facilitates task accomplishment; may give instructions or assignments to helpers or assistants.

Asset Responsibility:

Assets responsibility refers to the responsibility for achieving economies or preventing loss within the organization. Requires some responsibility for achieving minor economies and/or preventing minor losses through the handling of or accounting for materials, supplies or small amounts of money.

Mathematical Requirements:

Mathematics requires the use of symbols, numbers and formulas to solve mathematical problems. Uses addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and/or calculates ratios, rates and percents.

Communications Requirements:

Communications involves the ability to read, write, and speak. Reads technical instructions, procedures manuals and charts to solve practical problems, such as assembly instruction for tools, routine office equipment operating instructions, and methods and procedures for investigations and in drawing and layout work; composes routine reports and specialized reports, forms, and business letters, with proper format; speaks compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

Judgment Requirements:

Judgment requirements refer to the frequency and complexity of judgments and decisions given the stability of the work environments, the nature and type of guidance, and the breadth of impact of the judgments and decisions. Responsible for the actions of others, requiring development of procedures and constant decisions affecting subordinate workers, crime victims, patients, customers, clients or others in the general public; works in a very fluid environment with guidelines, but significant variation.

Complexity of Work:

Complexity addresses the analysis, initiative, ingenuity, concentration and creativity, required by the job and the presence of any unusual pressures present in the job. Performs coordinating work involving guidelines and rules, with constant problem solving; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressures.

Impact of Errors:

Impact of errors refers to consequences such as damage to equipment and property, loss of data, exposure of the organization to legal liability, and injury or death for individuals. The impact of errors is extremely serious -- affects entire organization and impacts other activities/organizations and the general public or loss of life and/or damage could occur and is highly likely.

Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. Performs medium to heavy work that involves walking, standing, stooping, lifting, digging, pushing and raising objects and also involves exerting between 20 to 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis.

Equipment Usage:

Equipment usage involves responsibility for materials, machines, tools, equipment, work aids, and products. Handles or uses computers, vehicles, equipment or work aids involving moderate latitude for judgment regarding attainment of a standard or in selecting appropriate items.

Unavoidable Hazards:

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken. Bright/dim light; dusts and pollen extreme heat and/or cold; wet or humid conditions; extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife vibration; fumes and/or noxious odors traffic; moving machinery electrical shock; heights radiation; disease/pathogens toxic/caustic chemicals; explosives and violence.

Safety of Others:

Safety of others refers to the level of responsibility for the safety of others, either inherent in the job or to ensure the safety of the general public. Requires considerable responsibility for the safety and health of others and/or continuous enforcement of the laws and standards of public health and safety.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent with college work in criminal justice or police science preferred; must be 21 years of age at time of appointment. An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

: Final candidates must successfully complete all entrance requirements. Final candidates must agree to maintain employment with the City of Petersburg Bureau of Police for a period of thirty-six (36) months after completion of training. In the event an employee resigns, the employee will be obligated to reimburse the City for training. Such reimbursement will be calculated proportionately on the number of months remaining in the thirty-six (36) month period at the time of separation. Final candidates will be required to submit to an extensive background investigation which includes DMV record, polygraph, psychological, medical and drug screening. Employees in this position are subject to random drug testing.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Valid Virginia Driver's License. Americans with

Disabilities Act Compliance:

The City of Petersburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City of Petersburg to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.