Police Recruit and Certified Officer

DeKalb County • Decatur, GA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

DeKalb County Police recruits attend a police academy and serve under the direct supervision of a field training officer. The role protects life and property, deters criminal activity, and enforces local, state, and federal laws, statutes, and regulations. The classification is safety-sensitive and subject to random drug testing under the County’s Drug & Alcohol Policy.

All sworn hires, including applicants with prior experience, attend a training academy and participate in on-the-job field training. The academies are physically and mentally demanding and include written exams and physical agility tests. Recruits who pass the academy are typically promoted to Police Officer after about six months. Current POST-certified officers start as Senior Police Officers and attend an abbreviated training academy.

Officers work rotating shifts and rotating days off, and may be assigned to any precinct in DeKalb County. The work may involve responding to emergencies, rendering first aid, and encountering hazardous chemicals. Employees work outdoors in all kinds of weather and in hot, humid, and other unpleasant conditions, as well as indoors. Officers may spend shifts patrolling alone in a squad car.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• U.S. citizenship.
• At least 20 years of age.
• Valid Georgia driver’s license, which must be maintained.
• Pass an extensive background examination, physical examination, drug screen, polygraph, and psychological examination.
• Pass a pre-employment physical agility test for academy entry and a post-academy physical agility test for graduation.
• Complete required academy and field training; written examinations apply, and a predetermined number of test failures results in termination.
• Meet applicable POST certification standards; specified convictions can disqualify Police Officer applicants.

Nice To Haves

• Previous work experience is preferred.
• A four-year degree qualifies recruits for the listed higher starting pay rate.
• Current POST certification qualifies applicants for the certified-officer hiring path.

Responsibilities

• Attend required training sessions; study departmental operations, job performance, policies, procedures, codes, and criminal and civil case law; complete tests and skills assessments; and maintain professional affiliations.
• Enforce applicable traffic and criminal codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.
• Detect and deter criminal activity, patrol designated areas, respond to dispatched calls, write citations, apprehend, arrest, and process offenders, and provide assistance or backup to officers and other agencies.
• Conduct preliminary investigations; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; take statements; gather information and evidence; secure crime scenes; prepare reports and sketches; participate in court activities; and testify in judicial proceedings.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, including moving people from danger, securing or evacuating areas, administering medical aid, and extinguishing small fires.
• Monitor and respond to calls for assistance; investigate accidents and reported crimes; interview citizens; conduct searches; pursue and subdue suspects; make arrests; and process and transport prisoners.
• Follow safety procedures, use safety equipment, monitor the work environment, drive safely in varied conditions and emergencies, and inspect and maintain the assigned police vehicle, uniform, weapons, and equipment.
• Maintain positive public relations and provide public education and information about laws, law enforcement, crime prevention, drug abuse, and related issues.
• Communicate by telephone and two-way radio, including effectively using law enforcement radio channels.
• Attend shift meetings, training sessions, and seminars to stay current on departmental operations, performance expectations, policies, procedures, codes, and case law.
• Operate and maintain law enforcement equipment, including police vehicles, firearms, electronic control devices, emergency equipment, and radio and communications equipment.

Benefits

• Take-home police vehicle.
• Paid time off, including three weeks of vacation, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance options, with the lowest-cost plan premiums paid by DeKalb County.
• Hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution pension plan.
• Deferred compensation.
• Four days on and three days off work schedule.
• Double overtime.
• Housing allowance up to $500 per month for employees who live in DeKalb County.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year.
• G.I. Bill program for qualifying applicants.
• County-paid Police Officers’ Annuity Benefit fund (POAB).
• Career progression opportunities.
• Hiring incentive of $3,000 for recruits and $5,000 for current POST-certified officers.

What This Job Offers

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