Police Officer

Town of Greenwich • Greenwich, CT

6d

About The Position

Performs police patrol and investigative work to protect life and property and enforce laws and ordinances. Patrol may be conducted on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, in a patrol car or van, or aboard a patrol vessel or light truck. Officers follow departmental rules and instructions from higher-ranking officers, while exercising independent judgment when acting without direct supervision, particularly during emergencies involving personal danger. The role requires firm, courteous interactions with the public. Officers may receive specialized assignments based on skills developed on the job.

Duties include patrolling assigned areas, investigating suspicious activity and crimes, making arrests, serving legal papers, responding to emergencies, directing traffic, and preparing reports and cases for court. Specialized assignments may include accident investigation, patrol-boat operations, clerical and computer work, dignitary protection, transportation and guarding of dangerous offenders, and other security details. Continued employment is conditional on satisfactory completion of the Police Academy and probationary period.

The selection process includes a written examination, background investigation and fingerprinting, departmental interview, and post-offer polygraph, psychological, medical, and physical-ability examinations. Candidates must satisfy the stated eligibility, education or experience, licensing, age, physical-assessment, and other screening requirements.

Requirements

• Meet the citizenship or immigration eligibility requirement: be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
• Possess a valid motor-vehicle operator's license valid in Connecticut.
• Meet the education or experience requirement: at minimum, an associate degree from an accredited college; or 45 college credits at application and 60 credits before a conditional offer; or two years of active U.S. military experience; or equivalent experience, such as two years of certified U.S. law-enforcement experience.
• Have work experience meeting and dealing with a variety of people under varying circumstances, or equivalent.
• Be at least 20 years old at application and at least 21 years old at appointment.
• Pass a valid written examination; the stated pass point is 70%.
• Pass an approved physical-ability examination at the 40th percentile and provide a valid CHIP card/assessment meeting the stated date and submission requirements.
• Be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal-record search and state-approved background investigation.
• Have no felony, Class A or Class B misdemeanor convictions, and no domestic-violence convictions.
• Pass a state-approved psychological evaluation and a medical examination, including controlled-substance screening.
• Sign a falsification-of-information acknowledgement statement.
• Satisfactorily complete the Police Academy and probationary period for continued employment.
• Demonstrate good knowledge of laws, ordinances, departmental policies, rules, and instructions.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions; communicate courteously but firmly with the public.
• Be able to develop firearms proficiency and react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Be able to read, compose, write, and prepare reports.
• Be able to operate an automobile safely in accordance with traffic laws, walk, run, and physically operate required equipment.
• Meet certification requirements in firearms, emergency care, defensive tactics, basic academy, and advanced curricula.
• Recognize dangerous conditions and take corrective action or notify other agencies for assistance.
• Perform law-enforcement functions in adverse weather and stressful conditions.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned beats or districts on foot, bicycle, or in a vehicle or vessel; check business properties and investigate suspicious conditions.
• Operate and maintain police patrol boats when assigned, enforce laws and harbor regulations, assist navigation, and respond to waterborne emergencies.
• Enforce parking rules, issue tickets, and direct traffic at control points, accidents, and emergency scenes.
• Make arrests for violations of laws and ordinances; serve warrants and other legal papers.
• Investigate accidents when assigned, secure evidence and statements, take photographs, analyze causes, prepare court cases, and testify in court.
• Perform specialized clerical, computer-entry, searching, and statistical-analysis duties, as well as dignitary protection, offender transportation and guarding, and security details when assigned.
• Render aid and coordinate transportation for injured people at accidents and other emergencies; work effectively with other emergency services.
• Patrol areas targeted for crime, recognize suspicious activity and people, and take appropriate action.
• Learn community geography and the locations of facilities and points of interest to provide directions and support efficient emergency response.
• Take rescue measures, place barricades and traffic cones at hazardous scenes, and initiate emergency detours.
• Investigate crimes; prepare reports; document incidents with photographs, video, and audio; prepare sketches; interview witnesses; and take suspects into custody.
• Conduct motor-vehicle stops for violations or criminal offenses.
• Intervene in fights, disorderly conduct, and family disputes; assist victims, calm situations, and take offenders into custody.
• Talk with adults and juveniles during patrol, develop information, and provide assistance and directions to referral services.
• Prepare and execute arrest and search warrants, serve summonses and subpoenas, and testify in court.
• Handle high-risk incidents, including suicide threats, barricaded suspects, hostage situations, and armed encounters.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Hepatitis B protective vaccination at Town expense, or the option to demonstrate vaccination status, for employees in specified higher-risk job categories.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree