Lateral Police Officer

City of Farmington • Farmington, NM

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Farmington is seeking to hire a Lateral Police Officer. This is a regular, full-time position with varied shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. The role involves performing security patrols, traffic control, investigations, and providing first aid. Officers are expected to handle difficult and emergency situations independently, maintain radio/telephone availability, and enforce federal, state, county, and city laws and ordinances. Responsibilities include responding to emergency calls, investigating crimes and misconduct, interrogating suspects, preserving evidence, arresting violators, and preparing detailed reports. The position also involves community-oriented policing, assisting citizens, and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies and city departments. Effective communication and customer service skills are essential for maintaining positive working relationships.

Requirements

• Possess a current law enforcement certification in the State of New Mexico or be eligible for Certification by Waiver within the state.
• Must have LE certification.
• Must not have used any illegal drugs within the past three years.
• Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
• Must be a United States Citizen.
• Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment.
• Must have completed 669 law enforcement training hours (Academy Training, Advanced Training, or combination of both).
• Must have ability to become a certified law enforcement officer in the State of New Mexico within three year.
• Must have all advanced certificates available for review.
• Must submit a copy of course curriculum from police academy attended.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid New Mexico driver's license with acceptable driving record for past three years.
• Must be able to read and write the English language.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances and department rules and regulations.
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to learn the City's geography.
• Extensive background checks required.
• Felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories are not allowed.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.

Responsibilities

• Perform shift work which may include days, evenings, and nights including weekends and holidays.
• Perform security patrols, traffic control, investigation and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
• Work an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Maintain normal availability by radio or telephone to respond to police matters.
• Carry out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.
• Patrol City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations; and to otherwise serve and protect.
• Respond to emergency radio calls and investigate accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Take appropriate law enforcement action.
• Interrogate suspects, witnesses and drivers. Preserve evidence. Arrest or cite violators. Investigate and render assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summon ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles. Take measurements and draw diagrams of scene.
• Conduct follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seek out and question victims, suspects, and witnesses. Develop leads and tips. Search scene of crimes for clues. Evaluate evidence and arrest offenders. Prepare cases for giving testimony and testify in court proceedings.
• Prepare a variety of reports such as offense/incidents, field interrogation cards, DWI, towed vehicle, and accident reports.
• Undertake community oriented police work, and assist citizens with such matters as stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse, traffic and bicycle safety, etc.
• Participate in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits, obtaining evidence and compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing charges, testifying in court, and related activities.
• Conduct patrol activities including directing traffic, investigation of reported or observed violations of law, and conduction patrol activities.
• Coordinate activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchange information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtain advice from the City Attorney or district attorney's office regarding cases, policies and procedures as needed and assigned.
• Maintain contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provide general information about department activities.
• Use excellent customer service skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the general public.
• Operate a motor vehicle to carry out the business of the department and the City.
• Maintain departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Maintain contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities.
• Serve as a member of various employee committees.

Benefits

• Sign-on bonus ($29,100 for in-state, $15,000 for out-of-state) with commitment to three years of continuous employment.
• Payment structure for sign-on bonus includes amounts upon hire, completion of Field Training Program, and completion of probation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED