Under the direction and supervision of a Police Sergeant or designee, this position performs a wide variety of police and law enforcement duties including the protection of life and property, enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, crime prevention, preservation of the public peace, apprehension of criminals, and response to calls for service. This class is characterized by the use of independent judgment in the application of police principals, and knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Duties are performed in accordance with departmental orders, standard operating procedures, directives, and as directed by supervision.

• Patrols assigned area in patrol car, on foot, by bicycle, and by motorcycle to enforce laws, prevent and discover crimes, investigate crimes, assist citizens, and maintain order.
• Responds to dispatched calls or citizens’ requests for police services at the scene of accidents, domestic disputes, law violations, and public disturbances.
• Directs and controls traffic. Issues written citations for traffic and other minor violations.
• Investigates causes and results of accidents. Investigates illegal or suspicious activities, persons, and establishments, and quells disturbances.
• Operates law enforcement vehicle during both the night and day in emergency situations in compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Effectively communicates with people of varying ages, providing information, mediating disputes, and advising individuals of rights and processes. Maintains professional demeanor under stressful circumstances to include confrontational situations.
• Pursues fleeing suspects which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicles, running, climbing over and pulling oneself over obstacles, jumping down from elevated surfaces, climbing through openings, moving through confined areas, and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.
• Locates, searches, and detains suspects. Exercises independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest and when force may be used and to what degree. Uses the continuum amount of force necessary to control an incident, effect an arrest, or protect the officer or others from harm.
• Performs searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people, and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
• Interviews and questions victims, witnesses, and suspects. Gathers and preserves evidence and information in criminal investigations. Detects and collects evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions in accordance with departmental standards.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters to include directing traffic for long period of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging, and carrying people away from dangerous situations, and securing and evacuating people from particular areas. May perform first aid and provide other assistance to victims.
• Prepares detailed incident, investigation, activity, and other police reports in compliance with proper police procedures.
• Conducts visual and audio surveillance for extended period of time.
• Utilizes community oriented policing strategies to develop partnerships and problem solving strategies to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.
• Transport prisoners to the County Jail; itemizes prisoner property; completes necessary required forms when an arrest is made; obtains statements and affidavits from crime victims.
• Maintains proficiency with weapons and utilizes weapons in accordance with use of force standards.
• Attends short briefings; obtains assignments and equipment; compiles reports; appears in court for testimony; communicates with other officers, detectives, State Attorney's office, and other State and Local Agencies; maintains assigned equipment.
• Testifies in court to present evidence by describing conditions, situations, and actions. Demonstrates effective communication skills in court and other formal settings.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification required.

Special Qualifications:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.
• Must be at least nineteen (19) years of age, at time of successful completion of the Competency Examination for Police Officers, pursuant to Florida Department of Law Enforcement Guidelines.
• Must be a citizen of the United States of America, notwithstanding any law of the State to the contrary.
• Must not have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Any person who after July 1, 1981, pleads Nolo-Contendere to, or is found guilty of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement is not eligible for appointment as a Police Officer, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
• Must have passed a physical examination administered by a licensed physician, based upon the specifications as established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
• Must have good moral character as established by the State of Florida and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as determined by a background investigation.
• Must pass a polygraph examination, psychological examination, and a medical assessment and drug screening.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License. Applicants may possess a valid out of state driver’s license and obtain the Florida license within 10 days of employment.
• Must attend and successfully complete the Basic Police Recruit Training Course.
• Must successfully complete the Competency Examination for Police officers administered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on the initial offering.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of police principles and practices.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and precedents.
• Knowledge of City, State, and Federal ordinances and laws.
• Knowledge of emergency, medical, and first aid practices.
• Skill in effective communication both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in the use of computers and applicable software programs.
• Skill in operating motor vehicles in hazardous situations.
• Skill in using weapons and other police equipment.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex written and oral instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, City Staff members, and the general public.
• Ability to observe and direct potential problems.
• Ability to act effectively in crisis situations.
• Ability to investigate situations and to prepare written reports.
• Ability to make oral presentations.
• Ability to effectuate detention and/or arrest when necessary.
• Ability to distinguish appropriate levels of force, and utilize if necessary.

The work is heavy work, which requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Requires standing or sitting for sustained periods of time; walking or moving from one work site to another; manual dexterity to pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work primarily with fingers; mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes; hearing to receive detailed information and to make the discrimination in sound; and the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity. Additionally, the following physical abilities may be required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Work is typically performed in various climatic conditions associated with indoor and outdoor work, where the employee is exposed to hazardous chemicals, gases, noise, infectious diseases, and violence. This position regularly deals with crisis situations in threatening environments that require the ability to make critical decisions involving people, resources, and property.