Police Officer I

Position descriptions/specifications are only intended to present a descriptive summary of the range of duties, tasks, and responsibilities associated with a specified position. Therefore, descriptions/specifications may not include all duties performed by the individual.  In addition, descriptions/specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the position/class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position/class.

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Actively support and uphold the stated mission and values of the City of Sterling and the Police Department. Provide emergency aid, security, and protection of life and property for the citizens by patrolling business and residential areas, responding to requests for information and assistance, investigating criminal activity, subduing combative suspects, making arrests, working with people to solve problems associated with crime and ensuring proper enforcement of laws and regulations. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Under general supervision of the Police Corporal, Sergeant, Commander and/or Police Chief, the Police Officer operates within the City of Sterling’s policies/procedures and quality standards while performing the following essential functions and responsibilities: (Essential functions are those functions that the individual who holds the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.) 
1.    Performs services and enforce laws under the authority of the City of Sterling and State of Colorado necessary for the protection of life, safety, health, welfare and property within the City of Sterling;
2.    Takes command at scene of crime or accident; takes statements and interviews victims and witnesses; examines situation; records vital information regarding causes and circumstances;
3.    Completes police report to describe in a clear, accurate, and concise manner all primary and relevant case activity and developments; read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits, and warrants;
4.    Establishes traffic surveillance to observe and detect violations of the Model Traffic Code and State Traffic Statutes; complete traffic accident investigations and required accident investigation forms;
5.    Ensures that all required reports are completed in a timely manner;
6.    Responds to radio and telephone dispatches to investigate citizen concerns including crimes in progress, crimes reported after-the-fact, accidents and disturbances;
7.    Operates a computer utilizing such software programs as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases;
8.    Utilizes appropriate department-issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary; follows all applicable safety rules and regulations;
9.    Carries a City-issued communication device for work-related communications while in Logan County.
10.    Performs other related functions as otherwise assigned, delegated or required by the Police Corporal, Police Sergeant, Police Commander, and/or Police Chief.
 

Physical Requirements:
1.    Physical requirements include ability to extend hands(s) and arm(s) in any direction; pick, pinch, work with fingers and palm as well as whole hand; lift ten (10) pounds; some lifting and carrying objects weighing up to twenty five (25) pounds; some pushing, pulling, crawling, and climbing; move about on foot to accomplish tasks; push/pull, lift, move, draw/drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion for extended periods of time.
2.    Remain in a seated position, alert, and awake for extended periods of time specifically during a 12-hour shift.
3.    Driving and visual inspections may sometimes occur in dim light conditions.
4.    Manual dexterity enough to operate keyboard devices requiring repetitive arm/hand movements; 
5.    Visual acuity with eyesight correctable to 20/20, uncorrected 20/100, normal depth perception and peripheral vision with ability to distinguish all primary colors, and sufficient for work which deals largely with observing actions of others, driving vehicles, using firearms, reading and writing clear and accurate reports, operating a typewriter and computer keyboard, and visual inspection which may involve small parts/defects, errors and detection.
6.    Hearing acuity sufficient to receive, comprehend and understand detailed information through oral communications, telephone conversations, radio traffic, etc., and to make fine discriminations in sounds in order to perform duties safely.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Ability to withstand extreme weather conditions from sub-freezing to hot, humid temperatures; must perform duties under a wide range of external conditions from sedentary office work to physically and emotionally demanding activity such as violent physical arrests.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:        
1.    May attend evening meetings and work extra hours;
2.    May serve on special City task forces;
3.    May work non-standard hours such as evenings, swing night shifts, weekends, holidays and rotating shifts;
4.    Subject to 24-hour call back for emergency conditions;
5.    May assist in special projects as needed or otherwise delegated.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The degree of knowledge, ability and physical requirements as outlined under this section is that which is necessary to satisfactory perform the essential functions of this position. Employees should be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential physical functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities and possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without the aid of mechanical devices, to perform safely the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge of: 
•    Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations; 
•    Criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality and social, psychological and physical needs of criminals; Standard police practices, methods, and procedures; 
•    Approved and accepted methods of investigation, apprehension, and rules of evidence; 
•    Police terminology and practices; 
•    Good public relations skills; 
•    Safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police related tools.

Ability to: 
1.    Meet physical agility test standards set forth in Sterling Police Department Operations;
2.    Communicate in an effective, cordial, tactful, and professional manner suitable for the situation while performing activities in which employee must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to  fellow employees  and other members of the general public;
3.    Comprehend and follow complex written and/or oral instructions, to compile information, to complete and file accurate reports, with minimal supervision;
4.    Deal with the public in a cordial, tactful and professional manner especially in times of emotional distress for families which serves to maintain and develop effective working relationships with clientele. Exercise sound judgment, reasoning and decision making which produces logical and consistent results and outcomes;
5.    Represent department/division and the City of Sterling in a positive responsive manner to the public, fellow employees, supporters, and volunteers;
6.    Wear equipment belt weighting approximately 15-20 lbs. for continuous periods of 12 hours;
7.    Work long varied hours/shifts and adjust sleep patterns; ability to drive at night; ability to sit in and/or drive a vehicle for extended periods of time. 
8.    Properly operate City vehicle/emergency police vehicle.
 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Education:  High School or G.E.D. 
Experience: 
Police Officer 1:    None
Police Officer II:    Four (4) years of P.O.S.T. Police Officer experience
            
Training/Certifications: 
P.O.S.T certified as a Peace Officer, Level I, by the State of Colorado
    CPR/First Aid Certification

Special Requirements:
•    Possess and maintain the appropriate CO operator’s license for the type of City owned vehicle which the employee may operate in the scope of employment;
•    Minimum 21 years of age and U.S. Citizen;
•    Must abide by City residency requirement to qualify for take-home vehicle benefit;
•    Must be able to legally possess and carry a firearm;
•    Specific vision abilities required by this job include 20/20 vision or correctable to 20/20 vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, normal color acuity.