Police Officer I/II

City of Palmer • Palmer Police Department, AK

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This posting is for future recruitment opportunities. Applications will be kept on file and considered for future openings as they become available. This classification includes three progressive levels: Police Officer Recruit (Non-Sworn), Police Officer I (Sworn), and Police Officer II (Advanced Sworn). Police Officers protect life and property and preserve the peace through the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Officers interact regularly with victims, suspects, City employees, other agency personnel, and the general public. Police Officers must maintain unquestionable personal and professional integrity, demonstrate impartiality and cultural awareness, uphold a strong ethical code in both personal and professional conduct, and serve the community with courage, compassion, and respect. Upon successful completion of the Basic Police Academy and the prescribed Field Training Program, officers must possess working knowledge of criminal law, civil rights, victim rights, criminal justice and law enforcement procedures, City of Palmer Ordinances, Department policies and procedures, scientific methods of crime detection and criminal identification, radio communications procedures, applicable case law, and the geography of the City of Palmer. Officers must demonstrate the ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with City officials, other agencies, and the public; evaluate investigative procedures and determine appropriate action; prepare clear, accurate reports and court documents; testify clearly and professionally in court; and exercise sound judgment in emergencies and work independently with minimal supervision.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (Recruit)
• Meet the employment standards outlined in Alaska Administrative Code 13AAC 85.010-040 and be able to obtain basic police certification (Recruit)
• Successfully complete an APSC-certified Basic Police Academy within eighteen (18) months of hire (Recruit)
• Ability to clearly articulate both orally and in writing (Recruit)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an APSIN security clearance (Recruit)
• Valid Alaska Driver’s License (Recruit)
• Eligible for basic police certification (Recruit)
• Maintain all Recruit qualifications (Officer I)
• Appointment upon successful completion of the academy (Officer I)
• Complete Field Training Program and City/State probationary requirements (Officer I)
• Maintain required certifications and ongoing training, including: National Incident Management System (NIMS), Criminal Interview and Interrogation, First Aid/CPR/AED, DataMaster, RADAR (Officer I)
• Perform duties independently with professionalism and sound judgment (Officer I)
• Build on Officer I qualifications (Officer II)
• Successful completion of the City of Palmer probationary period AND the twelve-month probationary period required for police officer certification which includes any complete or modified Field Training Program (Officer II)
• Maintain all prior certifications and complete ongoing training, which may include Field Training Officer Course, Police Weapons Armorer, Death Investigation, Traffic Accident Investigation, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Training, Narcotics and Domestic Violence Investigations, Active Shooter Response (Officer II)

Nice To Haves

• Serve as Field Training Officer (FTO) if qualified and assigned (Officer II)
• Provides training and guidance to new officers when designated (Officer II)

Responsibilities

• Attend and successfully complete all academic, physical, and tactical academy requirements (Recruit)
• Perform non-enforcement administrative tasks as assigned (Recruit)
• Participate in ride-alongs for training purposes with prior approval (Recruit)
• Patrol the City of Palmer to preserve peace and enforce laws and ordinances (Officer I)
• Make arrests and use appropriate force when necessary (Officer I)
• Conduct investigations (Officer I)
• Collect, process, and preserve evidence (Officer I)
• Photograph and diagram crime scenes (Officer I)
• Interview witnesses and suspects (Officer I)
• Prepare reports and required documentation (Officer I)
• Testify in court proceedings (Officer I)
• Operate investigative and enforcement equipment (Officer I)
• Maintain confidentiality (Officer I)
• Work independently (Officer I)
• Develop and maintain cooperative interagency relationships (Officer I)
• Serve as Field Training Officer (FTO) if qualified and assigned (Officer II)
• Provide training and guidance to new officers when designated (Officer II)

Benefits

• Compensation is paid at the Police Officer I, Step 1 rate in accordance with the City of Palmer Pay Plan and is based on a standard 80-hour pay period.
• Overtime eligibility as defined by the City of Palmer’s personnel policy (upon transition to sworn status).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED