Police Officers

CITY OF SONORA

POLICE OFFICER

Lateral $5,800 - $7,401/month $24,000 Bonus

Recruit $24/hour $18,000 Bonus

POLICE OFFICER DEFINITION Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; makes investigations, assists in the preparation of cases, and testifies in court; serves in specialized departmental roles as assigned; provides information and assistance to the public; performs related work as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. No supervision of staff is exercised.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is a sworn law enforcement class that performs a range of assignments found in a municipal police department. While incumbents are normally assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement, all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including crime prevention, investigation, K-9, school resources, administration, and training are included. Shift schedules and job assignments may be changed periodically to assure the maximum delivery of effective police service. This class is distinguished from Police Corporal in that the latter is the first lead level in this sworn class series.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) 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. ? Patrols the City within an assigned area in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observe situations, report suspicious, criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deter crime by providing high visibility. • Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, animal control, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuses situations, and enforces laws and ordinances. • Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations. • Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling assigned divisions by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required. • Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues citations as appropriate; assists motorist with inoperable vehicles and arranges for immediate removal Police Officer of stranded vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special events, or other congested situations. • 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, as required. • Secures crime scenes and evidence; 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. • Conducts comprehensive investigations into felony and high level crimes as assigned including conducting surveillance activities and coordinating and maintaining crime scene activities. • Assists the City Attorney or the District Attorney staff in preparing, documenting, and developing cases and gathering information; testifies in court as required. • Directs the activities of police support personnel and/or volunteers in office and field situations. • Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests appropriate medical assistance as necessary. • Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with departmental policy. • Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files. • Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents. • Performs and/or coordinates specific program or projects, including community-oriented policing, school liaison, project and resource development, investigations, crime prevention, and/or field training. • Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas. • Oversees the use and care of equipment as required. • Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: • Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects. • Investigation and identification techniques and equipment. • Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence. • Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying. • Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to assigned area of responsibility. • Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons. • First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). • Operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions. • Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work. • English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. • Techniques for effectively dealing with individuals of various ages, various socio-economic and ethnic groups, and effectively representing the City in contacts with the public. • Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.  

Ability to: • Observe and document accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places. • Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances. • Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials. • Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs. • Coordinate and carry out special assignments. • Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations. • Enter information into a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work. • Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations. • Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. • Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner. • Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and software programs. • Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. • Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. • Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by specialized training in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field. Equivalent to an associate degree and law enforcement experience is desirable. License: • Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment. • Possession of a Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to maintain firearms qualification and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking on uneven terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scene and to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.  

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS Employees work indoors and outdoors, and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.