Police Officer-Entry Level/Recruit

About the position

This position does not require formal law enforcement experience. Hired applicants will be sent to the Idaho POST Academy in August 2025 in Post Falls, ID as a paid and benefited employee. A Police Officer performs law enforcement and crime prevention to further the criminal justice process by patrolling an assigned area to observe, monitor, and enforce a wide array of ordinances, laws, and statutes. Interacts with the general public on a regular basis to provide educational, investigative, and related police services with the goal of preventing crime, ensuring public safety, and developing positive police-citizen relationships. Officers may also be assigned to specialized law enforcement duties such as investigations, training, school resource officer, drug task force, code enforcement, firearm and range training, Traffic Unit, crowd control, SWAT Team or other assignment. A Police Officer reports to a Police Sergeant or Lieutenant. Work is performed under minimal supervision and requires a high degree of independent discretion in decision making within established guidelines. Work is reviewed by inspection, oral and written reports, qualitative and quantitative evaluations for effectiveness. The position must enforce State and local laws, respond to calls for the protection of life and property, make arrests, prepare accurate reports, testify in court, and perform all work duties and activities in accordance with state and local policies, procedures, and safety practices. The Police Officer requires a High School Diploma or GED; Idaho POST Basic certification with preferred Intermediate certifications. Due to the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required. This position is required to carry firearms, perform emergency medical, and/or lifesaving activities. The work is accomplished in a field environment wherein the employee is subject to dangerous, potentially life-threatening events, and inclement weather. The job requires physical activities, long hours, and varied shifts.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned areas of the City in a car, bicycle or on foot
• Enforces State and local laws and ordinances
• Maintains community presence and responds to calls for service and takes appropriate action
• Responds to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents and other required emergencies
• Determines existence of probable cause, identifies and takes suspects and offenders into physical custody
• Prepares reports of arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed
• Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incident, vehicle accidents and deaths
• Verbally interacts with witnesses and victims, suspects and offenders to obtain information
• Conducts examinations of persons, vehicles, premises or areas to determine the presence of individuals or illegal activities or articles
• Takes suspect or offender into custody and delivers them to appropriate confinement location, maintaining security and safety of individuals being moved from one location to another
• Transfers or accepts custody of suspects or offenders and participates in completion of required jail intake procedures
• Prepares cases for criminal prosecution
• Researches information in order to contact suspects and witnesses
• Investigates traffic accidents
• Coordinates and conducts detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming and narcotics violations
• Testifies and presents evidence in court
• Provides backup assistance for other officers and personnel
• Collects, preserves and maintains evidence, found property and other property for safekeeping
• Initiates public service activities and responds to requests from person for information and assistance
• Seeks to resolve disputes between family members and disputes between two or more persons
• Controls small or large groups of people involved in potential or actual disturbance situations including civil disorders
• Meets with citizen groups in programs directed toward understanding of law, crime prevention and the criminal justice system
• Monitors and directs vehicles and pedestrian traffic and enforces traffic regulations; issues traffic citations where appropriate
• Responds to riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects and other extremely hazardous situations
• Maintains contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the public
• Serves warrants and protection orders
• Checks buildings for physical security
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities
• Keeps abreast of trends and developments affecting law enforcement
• Interacts appropriately with a culturally and socially diverse population
• Utilizes proactive techniques to prevent crime
• Appropriately utilizes technology to proactively police city and to effectively communicate with public
• Works with community groups as well as citizens on law enforcement activities, citizen concerns, etc.
• May serve as acting unit commander
• Performs undercover surveillance activities
• Develops and maintains good relationships with informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations
• Prepares search and arrest warrants
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses
• Assists in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties
• Collects, analyzes and disseminates criminal street gang information
• Conduct specialized crime prevention programs
• Seizes assets through preparations and service of asset seizure documentation
• Provides training for department personnel in such areas a defensive driving, use of chemical agents and other specified functions
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations to protect and serve the community
• Makes presentations to governmental agencies, the media, community groups and a variety of civic organizations
• Provides extensive customer service, education, and information to the public
• Responds to management's, supervisor's, co-workers' and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous, thorough and timely manner
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems
• Performs time management and scheduling functions, meets deadlines, and sets project priorities
• Maintains strict confidentiality of all matters
• Assists other department and City employees as needed or requested
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies, procedures, and safety practices

Requirements

• A score of 70% or greater from the written Public Safety Testing site
• High School Diploma or GED
• Able to pass the Idaho POST Physical Test
• Valid driver's license
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered
• Successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required

Nice-to-haves

• Idaho POST Basic certification with preferred Intermediate certifications

Benefits

• Collective Bargaining Agreement through 9-30-2025
• Sworn Officer Pay Plan