The primary purpose of this position is to enforce federal, state, and local laws within the department’s jurisdiction regarding public safety and to perform general and specialized law enforcement duties which preserve public peace and protect lives, property, and the rights of the public.

Under the direct supervision of a Sergeant, the employee performs their assigned duties and responsibilities independently within the chain of command but consistent with federal, state, and local laws, department policies, and the Sitka Police Department Operating Procedures Manual (“OPM”) within the chain of command.


• Patrols assigned area in a motorized vehicle or on foot to prevent and detect crime and to develop relationships with businesses and citizens
• Investigates and responds to crimes, searches, traffic accidents, and other emergency situations
• Conducts traffic stops and takes appropriate law enforcement action
• Arrests and takes into custody individuals sometimes having to physically restrain and subdue combative individuals using bodily force when authorized by OPM or circumstances of imminent danger
• Collects, preserves, and transports physical evidence in accordance with OPM
• Investigates municipal code violations, criminal statutes, and traffic laws and makes arrests or issues citations, summons, and court documents, and prepares various reports related to investigations
• Processes court documents such as summons, subpoenas, and arrest warrants
• Transports prisoners
• Responds to questions or requests for assistance by both citizens and visitors
• Promotes and participates in a variety of civic activities and efforts in support of Sitka’s community policing philosophy
• Operates and utilize according to department policies and procedures a variety of tools and equipment specific to law enforcement duties such as a police radio, baton, handcuffs, handgun, various firearms and other weapons
• Assists the prosecution in preparing for trial and may appear as a witness at trail
• Assists and cooperates with other federal and state law enforcement and public safety agencies
• Performs jail duties
• Perform dispatch duties
• Provides rescue and first aid assistance when needed
• Performs minor maintenance on vehicles and equipment
• Performs other duties as assigned

Police Officer Recruits perform limited duties under the supervision of a Field Training Officer until completion of their training period.
Knowledge of:
• Principles and practices of police work performed in a department with a community policing philosophy
• Federal, state, or local public safety laws, ordinances, and case law
• Investigation and interviewing techniques and procedures
• Police equipment, firearms, and vehicles and their proper use in law enforcement
• First aid and CPR

Skills in:
• Operating a personal computer and Microsoft software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook and any specialized software for public safety operation
• De-escalating conflict when dealing with difficult individuals who are sometimes physically or verbally threatening
• Multi-tasking with a strong attention to detail
• Performing computer entry duties with speed, efficiency, and accuracy
• Reading, writing, and mathematics, such as would have been obtained at a high school level
• Writing reports, completing forms, and preparing correspondence which is readable and compliant with legal requirements

Ability to:
• Recognize and maintain confidential information
• Interact tactfully, firmly, and courteously with the public to obtain information through effective interviews and interrogation
• Work under extremely stressful situations which result from responding to emergency situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property
• Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders
• Dealing with a variety of people calmly and professionally in a customer service situation, including times when the situation may be stressful
• Use good judgment within the department’s OPM requirements and other department directives
• Make decisions, sometimes quickly, as to the best course of action for responding to emergency situations
• Interpret, analyze, and apply laws, ordinances, and case law
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
• Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures, and instructions
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge
All Police Officer positions must meet the following requirements:
• Be at least 21 years of age
• United States citizen at time of appointment; and
• High School diploma or GED, Associate’s Degree or higher in Criminal Justice or a related field, preferred

In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, the following minimum qualifications are required for hire or promotion.

Police Officer Recruit
• Some work experience dealing with people customer service, group setting, or with the military, and
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, First Aid and CPR certification; and
• Ability to attend the Police Academy and obtain a Basic Police Officer Certificate from Alaska Police Standards Council (“APSC”) within 12-months of hire; and
• Satisfactory completion of the Field Training Program within 12-months of hire

Police Officer
• Minimum one year as a Police Officer Recruit with SPD and after satisfactory completion of initial probationary period; or
• One year of experience in law enforcement elsewhere, Alaska experience preferred; and
• Possession of or eligibility for a Basic Police Officer Certificate from Alaska or another state which meets the training standards required by the APSC

• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska
• Will be required to pass a background check and drug screen
• For Lateral Hire: If law enforcement experience is not within Alaska, the employee will be expected to
attend and satisfactorily complete the Department of Public Safety Lateral Police Academy within 12 months of hire
• Must wear uniform within specified SPD standards as determined by the Police Chief
• Employees will be required to work different shifts, including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and be on-call for 24 hours when necessary
Working Conditions:
• Works in vehicle on patrol and outdoors on foot, often in inclement weather, about 90% of the time
• Works indoors about 10% of the time
• May work in situations in which there are dangerous or deadly weapons or deadly physical force
• May work near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places
• May be exposed to various hazards such as blood, other bodily fluids/products, communicable diseases, grease or oil, a variety of fumes or airborne particles, extreme temperatures, solvents or chemicals, electrical hazards, and vehicular traffic and smoke

Specific Physical Requirements:
• Daily wears a uniform which requires carrying an equipment belt weighing up to 30 pounds
• Visual acuity required to:
o See both near and far acuity to operate vehicles and equipment, monitor traffic and observe people and objects
o Have the required depth perception to operate vehicles and shoot firearms
o Detect color of vehicles and clothing
o Ensure a field of vision for driving, shooting and self-defense
• Frequently sits or rides in vehicle for long periods of time in a vehicle
• Frequently reaches, handles, and feels in order to operate vehicles and equipment
• Frequently talks and hears in order to communicate in-person and by radio
• Frequently lifts and carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without the assistance of proper equipment or another
• Occasionally moves, pushes or pulls objects weighing up to 200 pounds, with or without assistance of proper equipment or another
• Occasionally climbs of 6'-8' fences or walls, stairs, or steep outdoor terrain
• Occasionally runs spontaneously for short distances
• Occasionally stands for long periods of time
• Occasionally balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, and crawls
• Occasionally smells to detect the presence of gases or controlled substances

General Physical Requirements:
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate laws and ordinances, provide both directions, and general information effectively
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation which permits the employee to identify criminal activity and to be aware of any potential safety issues
• Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate a vehicle and law enforcement equipment and a keyboard
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical strength, stamina, agility and reflexes which permits the employee to patrol assigned areas and to capture, control, or arrest subjects