Police Officer Recruit

City of Maricopa•Police Department, AZ

About The Position

The Police Officer safeguards life and property through general duty and investigative police work. The role enforces state and local laws and ordinances, responds to calls for service and public safety emergencies, conducts criminal and non-criminal investigations, makes arrests, and performs other law enforcement and public safety duties. Work primarily involves patrolling city areas and managing traffic. Officers may also be assigned to specialized areas, including neighborhood services, community services, criminal investigations, or administration. The position includes responding to a wide range of incidents; conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations; gathering evidence; interviewing witnesses, victims, suspects, and offenders; preparing reports and warrants; making arrests; and coordinating with other agencies. Officers may conduct undercover surveillance and develop confidential information sources. Work is performed in accordance with City and Department policies and procedures and includes rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays. The role involves substantial physical, communication, and decision-making demands. Officers operate vehicles and law enforcement tools, pursue and take offenders into custody, assist people in emergencies, preserve and process scenes and evidence, and provide first aid. Assignments are made by a Police Sergeant or other superior, with work methods checked through inspections, report reviews, and discussions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Meet all minimum qualifications of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZ POST) for a certified Peace Officer.
Be a United States citizen and at least 21 years old by graduation from the Police Academy.
Have graduated from high school or obtained a GED.
Complete an AZ POST-compliant background investigation and medical examination.
Meet the stated AZ POST vision standards; an examination by an optometrist selected by the City is required before appointment.
Have no felony conviction or conviction for an offense that would be a felony in Arizona, and not be under indictment for a felony.
Have no prior denial, revocation, or suspension of peace officer certification and not have been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces.
Possess an Arizona Class D driver's license by the hire date; a valid Arizona driver's license is required unless a qualifying military exception applies.
Have no driver's license or registration suspensions within the three years before the application date.
Meet AZ POST restrictions regarding marijuana and dangerous drug or narcotic use, sale, production, cultivation, or transportation, and have no pattern of prescription medication abuse.
Pass an AZ POST background investigation, polygraph examination, medical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug and alcohol screening. Drug screening includes THC.
Meet the position's driving requirements; loss of license due to driving violation points or two chargeable accidents within the prior three years may prohibit advancement in the testing process.
Know or be able to apply police methods, practices, procedures, departmental rules, applicable laws, crime-scene investigation and evidence-preservation techniques, interviewing and interrogation techniques, conflict management, community resources, and the geography and crime patterns of the assigned area.
Be skilled in firearms use and operating a motor vehicle.
Be able to analyze situations and take effective, reasonable action; identify potential crimes and traffic hazards; follow oral and written instructions; communicate courteously but firmly; work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds; maintain composure under stress; and perform the physical requirements of the position.
Be able to learn computerized record systems and develop and use confidential information sources.
Be able to communicate verbally in person and by radio, conduct interviews and mediate disputes, testify in court, and prepare detailed written reports.
Be able to understand written statutes, codes, ordinances, policies, and procedures; prioritize work; meet deadlines; and learn job-related material through instruction, observation, classroom lectures, and reading.
Meet the position's very heavy physical demands, including exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and more than 20 pounds constantly.

Responsibilities

Enforce state and local laws and ordinances.
Patrol assigned city areas by car, bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot, and maintain a community presence.
Respond to calls for service involving protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other public safety emergencies.
Determine probable cause; take suspects and offenders into custody or refer charges for review and prosecution.
Prepare timely reports of arrests, activities, investigations, and unusual incidents.
Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations and collect evidence related to disturbances, crimes, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths.
Interview witnesses, victims, suspects, and offenders and examine people, vehicles, premises, and areas for individuals, illegal activity, or evidence.
Transport people in custody to appropriate confinement locations while maintaining their safety and security.
Conduct self-initiated patrol activities, including traffic stops, warrant arrests, drug interdictions, and emphasis patrols.
Coordinate and conduct detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations.
Perform undercover surveillance and develop and maintain useful informant and contact relationships.
Prepare search and arrest warrants.
Contact and cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies on apprehensions and investigations.
Perform assigned specialized duties in areas such as neighborhood services, community services, criminal investigations, or administration.
Follow City and Department policies and procedures and applicable safety policies; report unsafe conditions and activity.
Operate law enforcement tools and vehicles; pursue and subdue offenders when appropriate, search persons and places, seize evidence, direct traffic, assist people in need, and perform crowd control and evacuations.
Protect and process crime and traffic accident scenes, administer first aid, assist distressed motorists, and move people, vehicles, and property from unsafe locations.
Perform other duties as assigned.