POSITION DESCRIPTION

CLASS TITLE:  Police Officer

ACCOUNTABLE TO:  Police Sergeant

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF POSITION:  Under limited supervision, provides public safety to the City’s residents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following representative duties. This description is not exhaustive, and the City of Lamar may assign additional duties as required. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with applicable law. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE:

Patrols the City’s streets; responds to calls for service; conducts investigations to solve crimes and enforces traffic laws and regulations; gathers evidence at crime scenes; detects, preserves and packages evidence for court cases; patrols school zones searching for violators and potential problem situations; patrols hallways; conducts meetings with school officials; talks to students and provides mentoring; conducts presentations of crime and drug prevention; investigates violations or complaints by school staff or students; responds to radio and telephone dispatches and appears at scenes of disorder or crime; notes and reports traffic hazards; assists in controlling traffic at scenes of emergencies; investigates and prepares reports on offenses, accidents, and damages to property; checks businesses; gives directions and information; makes arrests; issues citations; serves warrants and subpoenas; prepares reports on arrests and property impounded; directs traffic; handles animal problems; inspects to assure property protection; inspects establishments providing alcohol beverages and entertainment; intervenes in private or public disputes to protect the public and maintain order; attends court dates for various cases; transports prisoners; performs initial and follow-up investigations of crimes involving adults and juveniles; investigates complaints and moving violations; assists fire department as required; speaks before school and civic groups as required; conducts community relations; develops positive rapport with the general public; takes part in various community activities; educates the public regarding the role of law enforcement escorts parades and processions; coordinates police operations with other City departments and other agencies to ensure seamless service to citizens.

May serve as a Watch Commander; provides supervision for shift officers in the absence of the Shift Sergeant; reviews and approves reports of shift officers; may serve as a Field Training Officer; instructs trainees in department policies and procedures, geography and other related information; monitors trainee performance; completes trainee evaluations; may serve as a SWAT Officer; serves on call 24/7 for callouts; may serve as the on-scene commander in tactical situations until relieved by a supervisor.

Performs administrative tasks, including monthly reports and information requested by Command staff or Police Chief; attends various training sessions as required; prepares documentation from activities; prepares affidavits for the courts, resulting in arrest warrants; works regularly with some information which is generally limited; operates personal computer with various software applications; responsible for equipment and materials requiring minimal servicing and occasional accountability; occasionally handles small amounts of funds.  Supports the relationship between the City of Lamar and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Position requires moderate physical involvement; primary responsibilities for this position will take place either in a standard office environment or outdoors; position involves walking and standing.  Duties are occasionally performed in undesirable physical conditions; hazards are minimal to extreme and life threatening and require quick decisions, care, use of proper safety equipment and procedures are required to prevent injury and protect the public.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and physical demands but will be required to show proficient with accommodations.

• Must be able to lift and carry 15 to 49 pounds constantly and 50 to 100 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects
• Must be able to see in low or bright lights and distinguish between colors and not affected pulsing or strobing
• Ability to adequately see to operate City equipment
• Must be able to hear clearly, speak clearly in person and on a two-way radio
• Ability to write and prepare reports
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret written material and reports.
• Ability to perform basic math skills such as adding, subtracting, multiplication and division
• Constant usage of fingers and both hands
• Work involves sitting or standing 50% of the time and walking and standing while performing various tasks 30% of the time
• Frequently stoops, kneels, crouches, bends, crawls, climbs, including reaching overhead
• Knowledge and ability to operate and maintained department equipment

SUPERVISION – RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK OF OTHERS: Normally none.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or equivalent and POST academy active certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS: POST certification and a valid Colorado Driver’s License; First Aid/CPR certification (may be obtained after hire)  

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Core Competencies:  Every City staff member must possess or work to attain the following five core competencies:  Communication, Interpersonal Relations, Customer Service, Accountability and Dependability, Job Knowledge and Supervision and Performance Management (only if applicable to the position).

• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.
• Effectively patrols assigned areas deterring and detecting crimes;
• Knowledge of City geography.
• Ability to assess, analyze, identify and implement solutions to complex problems.
• Effectively and properly controls crime, traffic, or emergency scenes;
• Conducts investigations properly and effectively and utilizes investigation staff when appropriate.
• Ability to use minimal safety equipment when dealing with biologically contaminated scenes and/or deceased individuals and maintain composure and show proper decorum.
• Properly serves civil processes;
• Effectively and properly interrogates suspects and prisoners;
• Speak clearly and precisely before groups;
• Trains in, maintains, and applies knowledge of current departmental policies, procedures, rules, instruction, laws, regulations, and police literature;
• Analyzes situations and adopts a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action giving due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances of each situation;
• Maintains physical condition and agility necessary to perform required duties;
• Maintains and applies knowledge of safe and proper use of firearms and weapons, and continually upgrades skills.
• Establishes effective working relationships with fellow employees, superiors, and the public; and adheres to a para-military chain of command and structure.
• Deals tactfully and effectively with the public;
• Follows and demonstrates proper safety procedures at all times.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:  Because the possession and use of marijuana whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City of Lamar is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting the use of marijuana.  The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change the policy.

THE CITY OF LAMAR PROVIDES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT OF ANY TYPE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY STATUS, GENETICS, PROTECTED VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, OR ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PROTECTED BY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS.

THIS POLICY APPLIES TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING RECRUITING, HIRING, PLACEMENT, PROMOTION, TERMINATION, LAYOFF, RECALL, TRANSFER, LEAVES OF ABSENCE, COMPENSATION AND TRAINING.