The Police Officer's role is to protect and serve the citizens of the City of Union. Enforces state and local laws. The Police Officer enforces state and local laws. Patrols assigned beat or neighborhood and Police officers patrol a designated area of the city. Enforce traffic laws, direct traffic, take charge of traffic accidents, assist motorists, pedestrians and the injured in accidents. Respond to emergency calls and make arrests as necessary. Prepare and submit reports regarding complaints pertaining to larceny, stolen property, shoplifting, assault and battery, robbery, etc. Investigate reports of suspicious people and vehicles as assigned. Serve arrest and bench warrants to the public as necessary. Testify in court regarding traffic and criminal cases.

Essential Functions:

• The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Patrol assigned areas by vehicle or on foot to prevent and detect crime.
• Respond to calls for service including disturbances, accidents, thefts, and other incidents.
• Conduct preliminary investigations, gather evidence, and interview witnesses.
• Enforce traffic laws and investigate traffic accidents.
• Arrest and detain suspects in accordance with legal procedures.
• Prepare and submit detailed reports and documentation on incidents and activities.
• Provide court testimony when required.
• Engage in community policing and build positive relationships with residents and businesses.
• Participate in training programs and maintain required certifications.
• Maintain equipment and assigned vehicles in good working order.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Additional Functions:

• Provides assistance to other officers as needed. 
• Trains with and utilizes Tasers and other non-lethal weapons.
• Performs other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

High school Diploma or GED required, with vocational or technical training in criminal justice and fire science, or a related field; supplemented by three years of experience in firefighting and law enforcement; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. 

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina driver’s license. Must possess and maintain Basic Law Enforcement Officer from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Must also possess and maintain the following certifications: Firefighter II (NFPA); CPR and First Aid; vehicle emergency response; emergency vehicle driver training; pump operations I; rapid intervention crew; positive pressure ventilation; pipeline emergencies; utility emergencies; and basic auto extrication.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex and/or rapid adjustments.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and prolonged standing, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, explosives, firearms, violence, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customers.

The City of Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.