Police Officer - Lateral

City of Maricopa•Police Department, AZ

About The Position

The Police Officer safeguards life and property through general duty and investigative police work. The position 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 duties. Work primarily involves patrolling city areas and managing traffic during designated shifts. Officers may also be assigned to specialized areas, including neighborhood services, community services, criminal investigations, administrative services, or other assignments. Officers patrol by vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot; maintain a community presence; respond to a wide range of calls; investigate incidents; collect and process evidence; prepare reports and warrants; and coordinate with other agencies. The role requires rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, and involves substantial physical demands and exposure to potentially hazardous or stressful situations. Work assignments are made by a Police Sergeant or other superior, and work methods are checked through inspections, report reviews, and discussions.

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; there is no upper age limit.
Have graduated from high school or obtained a GED.
Pass an AZ POST background investigation, polygraph examination, medical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug and alcohol screening.
Meet AZ POST vision requirements and complete an eye examination by an optometrist selected by the City 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 previous denial, revocation, or suspension of peace officer certification and not have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
Possess a valid Arizona Class D driver's license by the hire date and maintain a valid Arizona driver's license unless a qualifying military exception applies; submit documentation for any military-related exception to Human Resources.
Have no driver’s license or registration suspensions within the three years before the application date.
Meet AZ POST marijuana restrictions: no illegal sale, production, cultivation, or transportation for sale; no marijuana use for any purpose within the past six months; and no illegal use other than experimentation.
Meet AZ POST dangerous drug and narcotic restrictions: no illegal sale, production, cultivation, or transportation for sale; no illegal use other than marijuana for any purpose within the past seven years; no illegal use other than experimentation; and no pattern of prescription medication abuse.
Meet the drug-use thresholds described by AZ POST for dangerous drugs or narcotics other than marijuana.
Successfully complete the City's background check and drug screening, which includes THC testing, in accordance with City policy and applicable law.
Be able to drive as required by the duties of the position; loss of a license due to driving violation points or two chargeable accidents within the previous three years may prevent advancement in the testing process.
Know police methods, practices, and procedures; departmental rules; applicable state and City laws; city geography and police beats; crime patterns; conflict management; crime scene investigation and evidence preservation; interviewing and interrogation; and community service organizations and facilities.
Have skill in using firearms and operating a motor vehicle.
Be able to analyze situations and select effective, reasonable actions with due regard for hazards; identify potential crime situations and traffic hazards; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; interact courteously but firmly with the public and people from diverse backgrounds; and remain composed and effective under stress.
Be able to perform the physical requirements of a Police Officer, learn to use a computerized record system, and develop and use confidential information sources.
Communicate verbally in person and by radio; prepare organized, grammatically correct reports; and comprehend written statutes, codes, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
Meet very heavy physical demands, including exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and more than 20 pounds constantly.
Be able to pursue offenders by vehicle and on foot, subdue resisting offenders using appropriate force, search people and places, transport people and property, and perform other physically demanding law enforcement tasks.
Work rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

Enforce state and local laws and ordinances.
Patrol assigned city areas by car, bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot, and maintain a community presence or respond to calls for service.
Respond to calls 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, unusual incidents, and investigative findings.
Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations and collect evidence relating to disturbances, crimes, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths.
Interview witnesses, victims, suspects, and offenders; examine persons, vehicles, premises, or areas for individuals, illegal activities, or articles.
Transport people in custody to appropriate confinement locations while maintaining their security and safety.
Conduct self-initiated enforcement activities, including traffic stops, warrant arrests, drug interdiction, and emphasis patrols addressing DUI, seat belts, juvenile drinking, and other law enforcement concerns.
Coordinate and conduct detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations.
Perform undercover surveillance and develop and maintain relationships with informants and investigative contacts.
Prepare search and arrest warrants and cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies in apprehending offenders and investigating offenses.
Work in accordance with City and Department policies and procedures; follow safety policies and report unsafe conditions or activity.
Serve in specialized assignments as needed and perform other duties as assigned.
Operate law enforcement tools and vehicles; pursue, stop, search, and arrest offenders; seize and impound property and evidence; and perform crowd and riot control activities.
Protect and document crime and traffic accident scenes, process evidence, administer first aid, assist distressed motorists, direct traffic, conduct evacuations, and move people or property from unsafe locations.
Communicate by radio and in person, mediate disputes, conduct interviews, present testimony and evidence in court, and prepare detailed police reports.