Average starting pay $21.00 hour with limited experience.

Pay rate negotiable for applicants with prior experience as a Police Officer.

The City of Bella Vista accepts applications for inexperienced individuals who are interested in joining our police force. 

Individuals may be considered for a position in the Police Department outside of testing periods if they are currently a certified officer of the law.

Nature of Work:

This is general and varied duty police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work involves the responsibility for performing routine police assignments that are received from police officers of superior rank. Work normally consists of routine patrol, preliminary investigation and traffic regulation, and investigation duties in a designated area on an assigned shift which involve an element of personal danger and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies. Employees may receive special assignments which call upon specialized abilities and knowledge usually acquired through experience as a uniformed officer. In addition, employees may be required to assist other personnel of the police department in conducting interrogations, searches, and related duties as assigned, involving prisoners or suspects, as well as in escorting suspects and juveniles to and from designated points. Assignments and general and special instructions are received from a superior officer who reviews work methods and results through reports, personal inspection, and discussion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Examples of Work):

• Enforces the laws and ordinances of the city and other pertinent laws.
• Patrols an assigned area during a specific period on foot, on bicycle, or in a patrol unit to preserve law and order, to prevent and discover the commission of a crime, and to enforce traffic and parking regulations.
• Answers calls and complaints involving fire, automobile accidents, robberies and other misdemeanors and felonies.
• At scene of crime administers first aid, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses, and makes arrests; testifies as a witness in court.
• Interviews persons with complaints and inquiries and attempts to make the proper disposition or direct them to proper authorities.
• Issues traffic tickets; directs traffic at intersections; participates in escorting funerals.
• Maintains order in crowds and attends parades and other public gatherings.
• Conducts accident investigations providing first aid for injured, taking safeguards to prevent further accidents; interviews principals and witnesses, taking written statements from drivers, witnesses; examines vehicles and roadways, observing traffic control devices and obstruction to view; takes necessary street measures; clears the scene of obstructions and wreckage.
• Escorts prisoners to headquarters, jail, and to and from the court; insures that prisoners are properly guarded; supervises trustees washing cars and cleaning buildings.
• Acts as custodian of personal property and evidence being held for court presentation; maintains records of property, evidence, and automobiles held or impounded.
• When assigned, participates in training activities.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Police Officers must be available to work any shift as assigned. Weekly overtime is required. Occasional overtime will be required as necessary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper course of action to be taken.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to write and speak effectively.
• Ability to develop skill in the use of firearms.
• Good general intelligence and emotional stability.
• Willingness to cooperate with officials and other police officers.
• Willingness to learn and increase skill in police work.

REQUIRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from a standard high school or possess a valid certificate of equivalency issued by a state department of education (G.E.D.) Some college or technical school preferred.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older.
• Must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Arkansas.
• Must possess a valid Arkansas driver's license.
• Must be able to attend and graduate from Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy or equivalent from another state.
• Must be able to effectively use and qualify with law enforcement tools and weapons including firearms, batons, defensive tactics, and other safety equipment.
• Must meet the department's psychological and background requirements as well as drug screen & physical test.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSE AND REGISTRATIONS:

Ability to obtain and retain radar operator and data master certificates. Attend and maintain Supervision I and II classes and certifications.

APPLICANTS:

Your application is not complete until all information requested on the application is completed. A candidate may be rejected

when not all questions are answered and when the applicant fails to certify their responses.

PLEASE NOTE:

Applicants will be required to meet all minimum state requirements for employment as a Police Officer, pass a written and physical test, and pass screenings and examinations upon being considered for employment.

Applying for this position requires submission of several documents. Applicants meeting requirements will be asked to provide these documents after passing the written and physical tests.

• Birth certificate
• Proof of citizenship if applicable
• Driver's License
• High school diploma or GED
• Police certifications if applicable
• Police training certificates if applicable
• Other applicable training certificates
• Military discharge orders if applicable

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Environment:

Reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine peace keeping environments with travel from site to site. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration; potentially hostile environments; Extensive public contact. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be very loud due to sirens, firearm training, etc. Incumbents required to work various shifts, including evenings and weekends, and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.

Physical:

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a law enforcement setting and an office setting; restrain or subdue individuals; walk, stand, sit, or run for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; occasionally climb and balance; regularly push, pull, lift, and/or carry light to moderate weights; frequently lift and/or move moderate to heavy weights; occasionally lift and/or move heavy weights; operate office equipment including use of computer keyboard; requires a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and gripping with hands and fingers; ability to speak and hear to exchange information; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations; ability to operate and use specialized law enforcement tools and equipment including guns and handcuffs.

Vision:

See in the normal vision range with or without correction.

Hearing:

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

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