Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform a variety of duties in the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; to control traffic flow and enforce State and local traffic regulations; to perform investigation activities; and to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Police Department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from supervisory staff.

Exercises no supervision. In the absence of a supervisor the senior patrol officer will exercise supervision of the shift. 

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS - Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

1. Patrol a designated area of the city to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes; enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; take proactive measures to deter the commission of crime; conduct undercover activities to gather intelligence about the conduct of crime or criminal activities.
2. Investigate crimes; gather and preserve evidence; interview victims, complainants and witnesses; identify and interrogate suspects; apprehend and arrest offenders; present evidence and testify in court.
3. Respond to general public service calls and complaints including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property control, automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanor and felony incidents.
4. Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; check speed with radar; issue warnings and citations.
5. Direct traffic at fires, special events and other emergency or extraordinary incidents.
6. Conduct traffic accident analyses and general traffic surveys; conduct investigations of serious injury and fatal traffic accidents. 
7. Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
8. Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.
9. Maintain custody of prisoners; transfer prisoners to holding facility.
10. Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserve good relationships with the general public; take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention; make public presentations as assigned.
11. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
12. Perform duties of dispatcher in their absence.
13. Relieve dispatcher during break time.
14. Perform matron duties as needed.

Marginal Functions:

1. Confer with citizens and city officials on law enforcement problems; assist in the development of innovative policies regarding municipal law enforcement.
2. Ensure responsive, appropriate service delivery by representing the department and conferring with civic, professional, service, fraternal and other community groups.
3. Review and analyze reports, legislation, court cases, and related matters; prepare the initial responses for legal actions.
4. Perform a variety of special projects as assigned.
5. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge of:

Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement program.

Modern police methods and procedures related to crime prevention and law enforcement including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, records management, and care and custody of persons and property.

Interviewing and interrogation techniques.

Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory.

Self defense tactics.

Use of firearms and other modern police equipment.

Modern and complex principles and practices of law enforcement, to include applicable community policing techniques.

Principles and procedures of crime prevention.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Procedures, methods and techniques of record keeping.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.

Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions necessary in the work.

Ability to:

Prepare clear and concise reports.

Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate and use facts and evidence.

Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.

Interpret and apply laws and regulations.

Use and care for firearms.

Meet department firearm qualification, intoxilyzer certification and taser qualification requirements.

Demonstrate keen powers of observation and memory.

Participate in public presentations as assigned.

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Identify and respond to community and City Commission issues, concerns and needs.

Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

Develop, implement and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient law enforcement services.

Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Follow all safety rules and regulations of the Police Department.

Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental polices and procedures.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:

• running, walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• effecting arrests
• subduing resisting individuals
• chasing fleeing subjects
• running, walking, crouching or crawling during emergency operations
• moving equipment and injured/deceased persons
• climbing stairs/ladders
• performing life-saving and rescue procedures
• operating assigned equipment including firearms and vehicles

Effectively deal with personal danger which may include exposure to:

• hazardous chemicals and materials
• dangerous firearms
• intense heat
• electrical hazards
• dangerous animals
• armed and dangerous persons
• communicable diseases
• hazards of emergency driving
• emotional and criminal persons
• hazards associated with traffic control and working in and near traffic
• natural and man-made disasters

Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of:

• exercising sound judgment and rational thinking under dangerous circumstances
• evaluating various options and alternatives and choosing an appropriate and reasonable course of action
• demonstrating intellectual capabilities during training and testing processes.

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

• making observations
• communicating with others
• reading and writing
• operating assigned equipment
• answering questions
• speaking in a clear and audible voice
• monitoring activities and operations
• effectively working with numbers

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Ability to complete training at an accredited law enforcement academy required.

Training:

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade.

License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid State of Kansas Drivers License 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, appropriate certification as a peace officer in the State of Kansas 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, NCIC terminal operators permit.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:

Office/field environment; may be exposed to emergency and disaster situations. Work in an office or emergency peace control environment; may work in intense life-threatening conditions; exposure to dangerous person, firearms, bodily fluids, and noise; may be exposed to emergency and disaster situations; may work in stressful situations.

Physical Conditions:

Essential and marginal functions and other important responsibilities and duties may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, running, walking, crawling, climbing, stooping and lifting for prolonged periods of time; general manual dexterity; ability to distinguish color; operating motorized equipment.