Harbor Police Officer (Lateral)

Port of San Diego•San Diego, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for individuals who are currently a Sworn Police Officer, possess a valid POST certificate, graduated from a POST certified Police Academy or are currently attending a POST certified Police Academy and are in good standing. The role involves performing a wide variety of professional law enforcement duties including the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws, emergency response, criminal investigation, crime prevention, case preparation, and public assistance within the District's jurisdiction, which includes the San Diego Harbor, San Diego International Airport, and the San Diego tidelands area. Responsibilities also include marine fire suppression duties and performing specialized assignments. Incumbents are expected to practice community policing, collaborative problem-solving, and intelligence-led policing. This is the full, journey-level class in the Harbor Police series, with incumbents rotating assignments and performing the full range of duties with decreasing supervision. Duties may be carried out on foot, from vehicles, or aboard Harbor Police boats. Incumbents are peace officers as defined in California Penal Code Section 830.1 and may perform specialized duties such as K-9 officer, detective, MARTAC/SWAT member, or dive team member.

Requirements

Currently a Sworn Police Officer, possess a valid POST certificate, graduated from a POST certified Police Academy or currently attending a POST certified Police Academy and are in good standing.
Graduation from U. S. high school or a G.E.D. certificate that meets scores established by the California P.O.S.T. Commission or a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.
Must be at least 20 ½ years of age on the day of written examination and 21 years of age at time of Police Academy graduation (No maximum age limit).
Must be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
A current, valid California Class C driver's license at time of appointment and maintained at all times thereafter in order to operate a vehicle on District business.
Laterals: Graduation from a California Peace Officers Standards and Training P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement academy within the last three years or an active P.O.S.T. certification.
Must have good moral character and the absence of past behavior indicative of unsuitability to perform their duties.
Must meet all pre-employment as well as ongoing peace officer status requirements pursuant to federal, state, and local legislation.
Must successfully complete a psychological examination, medical examination and chemical substance testing.
Must successfully complete essential Harbor Police specific training and/or requirements during the one-year probation period.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), Aviation Transportation Security Act (ATSA), Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) rules and procedures regarding airport and Port security requirements.
Knowledge of Harbor Police prisoner processing and temporary housing, transporting, and Intake policies and procedures related to the use of the San Diego County Detention Facilities.
Knowledge of crowd management and control procedures, and special event patrol techniques.
Knowledge of disaster preparedness and terrorism response strategies.
Knowledge of principles of human behavior and behavior modification strategies and techniques for the purpose of identifying at risk people.
Knowledge of emergency communication techniques including equipment and its use.
Knowledge of security, surveillance, and communication systems and codes.
Knowledge of the identification, collection, and storage of hazardous, dangerous, and illegal drugs, substances, and other items.
Knowledge of rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation and presentation of evidence in court.
Knowledge of local geography of Port, City and County streets, public buildings, and businesses.
Knowledge of basic principles and practices of organizational improvement and culture change.
Knowledge of Civil Commission Rules, Ordinances, Human Resources procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
Skill to make effective oral presentations to a variety of audiences with differing levels of knowledge regarding a variety of procedures.
Skill to utilize law enforcement computer systems, mobile devices and maintain and calibrate specialized equipment.
Ability to represent the Harbor Police Department effectively in dealings with other law enforcement agencies, community and business organizations, the media, and the public.
Ability to effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.
Ability to develop and maintain an inclusive work environment that fosters diversity, respect, and engagement.
Ability to recognize signs of danger to people, property and grounds associated with the Port District, and its surrounding areas.
Ability to gather, assemble, evaluate, and analyze facts and evidence.
Ability to conduct research, analyze data, and prepare reports for items such as investigations, complaints, and arrests.
Ability to interpret, apply, and explain the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Ability to effectively communicate with individuals for whom English is not a primary language.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people.

Responsibilities

Performs armed patrol of San Diego Bay and Port tidelands and the San Diego International Airport on foot, bicycle, vessels, and other department vehicles to maintain security and order, enforce criminal laws, traffic and parking regulations, and county ordinance, rules and policies while utilizing sound judgment under adverse and stressful conditions; provides crowd management and control and may direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic as needed.
Responds to and investigates calls for Harbor Police service regarding criminal, non-criminal, or emergency related activities such as crimes against persons and property, accidents, and health concerns to make observations and determine actions to be taken; apprehends and initiates arrests of suspects, conducts searches, and advises suspects of their constitutional rights; restrains and subdues individuals by means of baton techniques, locks, grips, holds, or restraining devices as necessary; properly detains, guards, transports, and assists in the booking process for prisoners as needed.
Conducts case or incident investigations and related follow-up activities, controls crimes scenes, gathers, photographs, preserves and collects evidence in accordance with laws and regulations; locates, interviews, interrogates, and records statements from witnesses, suspects, and victims; identifies relevant facts and prepares investigative reports on incidents and cases for follow-up and filing with appropriate law enforcement officials; assists with covert and undercover investigations as assigned.
Responds to public service calls and complaints of potentially hostile situations, including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, protection of life and property, preservation of peace, robberies, and related misdemeanor and felony incidents; participates and testifies in court hearings and trials as necessary.
Serves subpoenas, warrants, summons, complaints, writs of attachment and execution, and eviction notices as necessary; administers physical roadside sobriety and "intoxilyzer" tests when necessary, controls and mitigates people under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations; issues warnings or citations for law violators, checks for warrants and other legal holds, performs security checks on suspicious persons or vehicles, and requests outside assistance as appropriate.
Responds to maritime fires identified or reported. In addition, responds to other fires such as building fires, vehicle fires, dumpster fires, and grass fires and requests assistance as needed; responds to emergency medical needs and performs First Aid and CPR/AED as necessary.
Cooperates with local law enforcement and government agencies in the suppression and control of disruptive or illegal activities and responds to requests for assistance from outside agencies for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or other related requests.
Prepares and maintains written records, notes, logs, correspondence, legal documentation, and other reports as related to police activity.
Safely and appropriately stores, maintains, calibrates, inspects, and utilizes police weapons and equipment such as firearms, conducted electrical weapons (Tasers), batons, non-lethal weapons, alcohol screening devices, bicycles, and police vehicles.
Performs crime prevention activities to include surveillance patrols and participating in community outreach programs that may include speaking and presenting to citizen and school groups, and other public service efforts.
Stays current with knowledge related to public safety by attending professional conferences and in-service education programs, as well as by reviewing information obtained from Department memoranda, staff meetings and professional publications to attain and maintain public safety-related knowledge and skills and determine the impact of developments and change on providing service excellence.
Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the Port of San Diego and Harbor Police.
Prepares daily performance evaluations when assigned a Harbor Police Trainee.
Identifies performance deficiencies in Harbor Police Officers assigned as trainees and implements methods to strengthen those deficiencies.
When assigned, performs a variety of special duty assignments, including, dive team, performing underwater search, rescue and recovery; bicycle enforcement; K-9; plain clothes; may also serve as departmental representative for special assignments, public events and other special field assignments.
Operates a marine craft to patrol San Diego Harbor, enforcing applicable federal, state and local waterway laws, regulations and rules; assists recreational boaters and makes rescues; patrols San Diego Harbor to provide security and prevent crime; assists Coast Guard and Navy vessels; escorts large vessels through harbor channels.
Enforces applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and ordinances at the San Diego Regional Airport; patrols the airport by foot and vehicle; monitors alarm systems at airport security check stations; conducts security checks of airport facilities; responds to security alarms at the airport; secures unattended baggage; confiscate dangerous and prohibited items from individuals.
Enforces parking regulations and traffic laws at the airport, harbor facilities and all other tideland areas; issues traffic citations; investigates accidents; administers emergency first-aid; provides traffic control at accident sites or for special events at District facilities.
Provides information and assistance to the public.
Seeks long-term solutions to criminal activity, including the practice of community policing, intelligence-led policing, and collaborative problem solving.
Participates in a variety of community relations and public education and awareness activities.
May represent the department on task forces, committees, or projects; represents the Harbor Police Department to the public, community organizations, and other government agencies; performs a variety of community outreach activities; may act as a department spokesperson to the media and direct departmental public information efforts.
May be assigned disaster service worker responsibilities as directed.
Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.