Police Officer I/II/III

City of Lakeport•Lakeport, CA

About The Position

DEFINITION Under general supervision, patrols an assigned area in the prevention of crime and enforcement of law and order; carries out special assignments related to departmental operations or law enforcement in general; conducts investigations; performs related work as assigned. Police Officers work on rotating shifts and work a “4-10” schedule (four, ten-hour work days). Lakeport officers are well-supported by the community and the department with a healthy equipment budget, opportunity for collateral assignments, and high-value professional development. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is a flex class. Positions are typically budgeted at the higher level, Police Officer II but are under-filled at the Police Officer I level until the incumbent acquires the full range of knowledge, skills and abilities required of a journey level Police Officer. The progression of a Police Officer I (entry level) to a Police Officer II (journey level) requires an evaluation of employee skill and performance levels by management. Police Officers are assigned to any of a number of functional areas within the Police Department on a rotating basis. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Patrol and Traffic Safety Patrols an assigned area during an assigned shift and looks for indicators of possible criminal activity or threats to life and property; answers calls for police services; enforces City, county, and state laws; makes field contacts and completes forms; may conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, suspected homicides, and other criminal incidents. As a Motor Officer, patrols the City on a motorcycle or in a radar-equipped patrol unit; responds to calls related to traffic incidents and any other emergencies; observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions; assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws. Makes arrests as necessary; serves warrants and subpoenas; conducts searches and seizures involving people, vehicles and structures; interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogates suspects; gathers and preserves evidence; receives, searches, and books prisoners; fingerprints and transports prisoners; testifies and presents evidence in court. Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders. Writes reports and field notes; participates in staff development; attends briefings and training sessions; performs routine maintenance on assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment. Makes traffic stops and issues warnings, citations, or makes arrests as necessary; checks vehicles and observes vehicle occupants; investigates scenes of vehicle accidents, provides emergency medical care as necessary, directs traffic and arranges for clearing of roadway, interviews drivers and witnesses and prepares reports; directs traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations. Assists the public and answers questions; administers first aid and responds to calls for medical assistance; establishes and maintains good relationships with the general public. Investigator Coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming and narcotics violations. Participates in all normal enforcement activities including enforcing local and State laws, issuing citations, making arrests, administering first aid, and transporting prisoners. Performs undercover and surveillance activities; interviews victims, complainants, witnesses and suspects; collects, preserves, and maintains evidence and property related to suspected crimes; serves warrants and subpoenas. Prepares investigative reports and case information; files criminal cases with the District Attorney’s Office and works with the District Attorney on case filings; provides testimony and evidence in court. Answers questions from the public concerning local and State laws, procedures, and activities of the Department; develops and maintains good relationships with the public, including informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations. Other Functions As assigned, acts as training officer for new Police Officers; serves as field supervisor on individual calls requiring special attention; or conducts background investigations. As assigned, makes presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of Police Department activities; serves as liaison to neighborhood watch groups and schools. When assigned as a Canine Officer, cares for, maintains and trains a police dog; conducts demonstrations and raises funds to maintain program. As assigned, serves as the School Resources Officer; teaches a variety of drug resistance classes; assists with student discipline and counseling; ensures that school district policies and school rules are followed; maintains statistical data on assigned programs; fosters a positive relationship between law enforcement, students and school staff. May be assigned to direct, supervise and coordinate police officers when a supervisor is not available; assists in briefing and training new personnel; may be assigned to direct, train and coordinate police cadets, police explorers and/or volunteers.

Requirements

Lateral Entry: At time of appointment, candidates must possess or be eligible for a California Basic POST Certificate.
Academy Graduate: At time of appointment, candidates must have successfully completed a California POST approved Basic Academy within the last 3 years.
Academy in Progress: Applicants must be currently enrolled at a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) approved Police Academy and must graduate prior to hire.
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
Possess or be eligible for a valid First Aid and CPR Certificate
Be at least twenty-one years old at time of appointment
Wight proportional to height
Uncorrected vision of 20/100 or better in both eyes and must be corrected to 20/30
Normal color vision
Possess sufficient strength and agility necessary to perform the duties of a Police Officer
Possess a valid California Driver’s License at time of appointment
Live within a reasonable response time of the Police Department
Working knowledge of modern practices and techniques of law enforcement, patrol, investigation, public relations, and report writing; Vehicle and Penal Codes; laws of arrest; search and seizure; rules of evidence; legal rights of citizens; court procedures.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places; establish and maintain effective relationships with the community; use and care of firearms and small equipment; think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations and people accurately; represent the City in a variety of meetings; learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports; respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective manner; understand, explain and apply policies and procedures; make clear and concise radio transmissions; understand and follow verbal and written directions; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions; work independently and demonstrate initiative; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; meet the established physical requirements; meet Police Officer requirements contained in the California State Government Code.
Possession of a Class C California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
Possession of a P.O.S.T Basic Certificate, within two years of appointment.
Meet requirements or standards mandated by the California Government Code for a Peace Officer.
Receive satisfactory results from a background investigation, physical and psychological examination, drug screening and administrative screening which meet the established qualification standards.

Nice To Haves

One year of current full-time experience as a police officer in a California public agency is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Patrols an assigned area during an assigned shift and looks for indicators of possible criminal activity or threats to life and property
Answers calls for police services
Enforces City, county, and state laws
Makes field contacts and completes forms
Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, vehicle accidents, suspected homicides, and other criminal incidents
Responds to calls related to traffic incidents and any other emergencies
Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions
Assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws
Makes arrests as necessary
Serves warrants and subpoenas
Conducts searches and seizures involving people, vehicles and structures
Interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses
Interrogates suspects
Gathers and preserves evidence
Receives, searches, and books prisoners
Fingerprints and transports prisoners
Testifies and presents evidence in court
Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders
Writes reports and field notes
Participates in staff development
Attends briefings and training sessions
Performs routine maintenance on assigned patrol vehicle, firearms, and other equipment
Makes traffic stops and issues warnings, citations, or makes arrests as necessary
Checks vehicles and observes vehicle occupants
Investigates scenes of vehicle accidents, provides emergency medical care as necessary, directs traffic and arranges for clearing of roadway, interviews drivers and witnesses and prepares reports
Directs traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations
Assists the public and answers questions
Administers first aid and responds to calls for medical assistance
Establishes and maintains good relationships with the general public
Coordinates and conducts complete and detailed investigations of crimes involving juveniles and adults, crimes against persons and property, and crimes involving vice, gaming and narcotics violations
Performs undercover and surveillance activities
Collects, preserves, and maintains evidence and property related to suspected crimes
Prepares investigative reports and case information
Files criminal cases with the District Attorney’s Office and works with the District Attorney on case filings
Provides testimony and evidence in court
Answers questions from the public concerning local and State laws, procedures, and activities of the Department
Develops and maintains good relationships with the public, including informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations
Acts as training officer for new Police Officers
Serves as field supervisor on individual calls requiring special attention
Conducts background investigations
Makes presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of Police Department activities
Serves as liaison to neighborhood watch groups and schools
Cares for, maintains and trains a police dog
Conducts demonstrations and raises funds to maintain program
Serves as the School Resources Officer
Teaches a variety of drug resistance classes
Assists with student discipline and counseling
Ensures that school district policies and school rules are followed
Maintains statistical data on assigned programs
Fosters a positive relationship between law enforcement, students and school staff
May be assigned to direct, supervise and coordinate police officers when a supervisor is not available
Assists in briefing and training new personnel
May be assigned to direct, train and coordinate police cadets, police explorers and/or volunteers

Benefits

Public Employees Retirement System: The City provides the PERS retirement program at the following formulas: 2.7%@57 for new members and 3%@55 for classic members. The City does not participate in Social Security.
Holidays: Thirteen holidays paid during the pay period when the holiday occurs.
Vacation: Vacation time starts at 80 hours annually increasing to 200 hours based on time in service.
Sick Leave: Sick leave accrual of 12 days per year.
Medical, Dental Life Insurance: The city offers medical, dental and life insurance coverage. Employees currently pay a percentage of the medical premium.
Uniform Allowance: The City pays $817.50 per year.
P.O.S.T Certificate Pay: An officer may earn 2.5% certificate pay for Intermediate certificate and 2.5% for Advanced certificate. (Total for Intermediate and Advanced Certificate 5%)
Pay Day: Employees are paid bi-weekly (every other Friday)
Police Vehicle: Take home vehicle within 15 miles of department
The Lakeport Police Department will subsidize travel and training expenses.