Police Officer (Recruit)

City of Suffolk•Suffolk, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs general and specialized law enforcement work for the City Police Department. This role involves protecting lives, property, and the rights of the public; investigating criminal activity; serving criminal process papers; and assisting in community functions. The employee is also responsible for preparing files, reports, and records, and testifying in court. The position requires tact and firmness in frequent public contact, as well as independent judgment and initiative. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work. The Suffolk Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

Graduation from high school, or GED
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Applicants who successfully pass the initial application process will be required to participate in the physical agility testing.
Must pass the Basic Law Enforcement test as administered through an accredited police academy within 1 year of employment.
Must complete 40 hours of in service training every two years.
Applicants must be 20 years of age at the time of application.
Able to possess a firearm in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Able to pass a comprehensive background screening including polygraph.
A comprehensive medical examination by a licensed physician.
A psychological examination conducted and interpreted by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
A background investigation conducted according to guidelines set forth by the City of Suffolk for its Police Department employees.
A polygraph examination conducted by a qualified polygraph examiner.
Successful completion of any compulsory minimum training standards for a Police Officer as required by regulations established in accordance with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Board.
Valid Driver's License, with -3 or higher point value.
Criminal History: Conviction of any felony, conviction of domestic violence, any conviction regarding the involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs, conviction of any Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor (or the Virginia State Law equivalent) within the last five years, excluding traffic violations, embezzlement or misappropriation of funds from a former employer, founded child/elder abuse or neglect case, illegal possession of a schedule I or II drug or any derivative thereof within the last five years (excluding marijuana), illegal use and/or possession of anabolic steroids within the last five years, illegal use of any drug classified as a hallucinogen within the last five years.
Driving History: Four or more negative points on a Virginia Operator's license (or the equivalent for out-of-state residents). Points may be negated by attending defensive driving school offered by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) prior to the one on one interview with the background investigator. Conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol within past five years, eluding police within past five years, leaving the scene of an accident within past two years, multiple convictions of DUI, no valid driver's license and/or inability to obtain a Virginia license, refusal to take a blood or breath test related to suspected DUI/DUID within past five years, suspension or revocation of license or conviction of reckless driving within the last twelve months.
Other Disqualifications: Two or more bankruptcies, any "Dishonorable Discharge" or discharge "other than Honorable", from the military resulting from disciplinary action, cheating on any examination or testing associated with this position, crimes of moral turpitude (lying, cheating, stealing), ineligibility to possess a firearm in Virginia, intentional omission on the application/background process for this position, intentional lying on the application/background process for this position.
Having any visible tattoos, brands, piercings, intentional scarifications (intentional scarifications are those that did not occur accidentally/naturally) or other body modifications anywhere on the face, head, front half of the neck in front of the ears (50% of the neck behind the ears). Offensive tattoos are prohibited (Full tattoo sleeves ARE allowed). Full sleeve tattoos, including the hands, are allowed, but tattoos or body art displaying the following are prohibited: racism, sexism, or sexually suggestive or explicit, obscenity or profane, gang or drug related, or undermining City or Department values.

Nice To Haves

City of Suffolk is a proud participant of the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program and we welcome Veterans to apply.

Responsibilities

Patrols an assigned area of the City using a police vehicle to detect and deter criminal activities.
Monitors radio calls, inspects troublesome areas, and checks the security of business establishments.
Answers complaint calls and investigates crimes and disturbances.
Interviews witnesses, gathers evidence, and transports it to the lab.
Interrogates suspects and makes arrests.
Prepares investigation reports, case files, offense reports, accident reports, tow sheets and cards, property vouchers, and lab requests.
Serves legal papers such as summons, warrants, and civil process papers.
Provides credible testimony in a court of law.
Receives and handles citizen complaints and inquiries.
Transports prisoners and mental patients as required; serves mental papers.
Investigates accidents, performs first aid, secures and clears accident scenes, and directs traffic.
Investigates misdemeanor and felony crimes; conducts building checks; reports traffic hazards.
Processes minor crime scenes including collecting, packaging, and vouchering evidence, photographing, and sketching.
Monitors vehicle speeds with radar; conducts criminal and driving checks; issues summons for violations; operates breathalyzer machine.
Conducts surveillance using relevant techniques.
Assists State and Federal agencies in conducting various investigations; prepares affidavits and search warrants.
Teaches programs based on topic areas of assigned units; prepares visual aids, lesson plans, and handouts.
Participates in extracurricular activities and builds rapport with program participants.
Performs duties relating to the recruitment of new officers; coordinates and participates in training sessions; administers physical agility tests; coordinates appointments for oral review board, polygraph and employment physicals; conducts background checks.
Answers confidential "crime line" public access phone for reporting crime and other information; provides reports to crime stoppers international; maintains records of calls received and numbers calls.
Acts as media contact; provides interviews and materials to the media; attends major media functions.
Orders and issues uniforms and equipment for departmental personnel.
Processes arrest information; notes warrant has been executed; updates communications division files.
Retrieves warrants from magistrate's office and the courts; assigns warrant number; logs warrants in warrant book; prepares card for communications division files; files warrants; purges felony and misdemeanor warrants as required by law; executes state and local criminal warrants.
Coordinates policing efforts with civic leagues and community groups; attends civic league and PTA meetings; participates in community functions; acts as liaison between schools and Police Department.
Monitors the interior and exterior of school buildings; develops a rapport between police and students to deter crime in schools.
Prepares brochures and other documents to promote the Police Department.
Counsels teachers, students, parents, etc.; maintains security during school events.
Teaches boating safety and conducts marine patrol.
Escorts funeral processions, parades, public figures, and other special assignments; coordinates traffic patterns.
May investigate communicable diseases and exposure; coordinates initial and follow-up medical care for exposed employees; maintains medical records, testing, and training.
May assist disabled motorists with simple repair work such as changing flat tires, unlocking doors, or by contacting others for assistance; may provide directions, answer simple inquiries, etc.
Reports unsafe conditions in city streets, sidewalks, public facilities, etc.
May participate in special public information programs such as seat belt safety campaigns, child fingerprinting projects, etc.; speaks at public and community functions; prepares classes for community participation.
Notifies next of kin of deaths and accidents.
Trains and supervises new officers in the field; may act as general instructor for the Police Academy.
Maintains police vehicle and issued equipment; maintains proficiency in skilled use of firearms.
Performs other related work as required.