Entry Level Police Officer

COWLITZ INDIAN TRIBE•Ridgefield, WA

173d•$45 - $45

About The Position

The Entry Level Police Officer performs law enforcement and crime prevention services to help maintain a safe and secure community for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. The officer represents the mission, vision, and values of the Tribe and its Public Safety Department. The role includes enforcing tribal law, patrolling the reservation, responding to calls and investigating offenses, providing security, collecting and preserving evidence, and assisting other law enforcement and emergency response agencies. The officer also documents investigations, prepares reports, serves legal documents, provides testimony, and supports crime-prevention and public-safety programs. The position requires working various shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime, and being on call for emergencies. Work takes place in an office, outdoors, and in a vehicle, with potential exposure to hazardous and unpredictable situations, difficult weather, traffic, infectious disease, and other listed hazards. Travel for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events is required. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 21 years old. CPR and First Aid certifications, Indian Police Academy or State Academy certification, and completion of the Field Training Program are required within the stated time frames. A valid driver's license is required when driving for work. Candidates must pass the specified background investigation and screening process, as well as written, physical agility, interview, medical, polygraph, and psychological assessments. Tribal preference applies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications within one year of hire.
Obtain Indian Police Academy or State Academy certification within one year of hire.
Complete the Field Training Program.
Valid driver's license when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
Successfully pass the required background screening and investigation, including a pre-employment drug screen; reference checks; education and employment verification; and federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks, including fingerprint verification.
Meet the stated criminal-history eligibility criteria concerning specified violent, sexual, and person- or child-related offenses.
Pass a written test, physical agility test, interview, medical exam, polygraph, and psychological test.
Knowledge of relevant law enforcement and Cowlitz Indian Tribe laws, regulations, and rules; current law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and techniques; reservation roads and locations; and tribal customs and beliefs.
Skill in safe and effective operation and maintenance of law enforcement equipment and safe operation and handling of motor vehicles.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive information.
Ability to use personal protective tools, including a handgun, mace, baton, and cuffs.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and competently use a computer, including word-processing software.
Ability to complete approved basic police training and firearms qualification courses within required time limits.
Ability to enforce laws fairly and impartially while considering individual rights, safety, and property preservation.
Ability to work various shifts, holidays, weekends, evenings, and overtime.
Ability to analyze information quickly, draw logical conclusions, and make sound decisions.
Demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice, and a desire to help when dealing with people.
Ability to accept the dangers, stresses, regimentation, discipline, and time demands of police work.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel and the public.
Meet professional conduct and ethics standards on and off the job.
Adhere to the Tribe's established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment.
Meet the physical requirements of the role, including frequent lifting of 75 pounds and the ability to walk, run, lift, climb, and use required vision and hand reflexes.

Responsibilities

Enforce the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code; charge and book arrested persons or issue citations as appropriate, and complete required paperwork.
Patrol tribal roads and state highways within the reservation, enforce traffic laws, and assist motorists in distress.
Respond to resident complaints and investigate criminal or civil misdemeanors, traffic accidents, vandalism, and burglary.
Determine probable cause for arrest at domestic disturbances.
Provide security and law enforcement for tribal activities.
Interview victims, witnesses, and suspects.
Transport violators to and from court, rehabilitation sites, or jail facilities.
Serve court papers, warrants, and subpoenas as required.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, tribal administrators, and the public.
Secure, document, and examine crime scenes; gather, preserve, and process evidence.
Assist BIA and other federal, tribal, and state law enforcement officers investigating federal or state offenses on the reservation.
Observe and report conditions conducive to crime or that could endanger public safety.
Assist search and rescue groups and respond to HAZMAT situations and fires as requested.
Work with EMTs and administer first aid or interim emergency care when necessary.
Refer federal crimes to the FBI through the Police Commander.
Document investigations, prepare required forms and reports, and complete citation and call log books.
Provide oral testimony and serve warrants and police reports as requested by tribal, federal, and state courts.
Support crime and delinquency prevention and public-awareness or public-safety programs through presentations to community and other groups.
Attend routine and specialized training classes and seminars on law enforcement methods and techniques.
Contribute to team efforts, perform related tasks, and undertake other duties as assigned.