Description

• Patrols streets in a police car or on foot; checks doors and windows; examines premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detects unusual conditions, may maintain surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects; reports dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Responds to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior; completes calls by determining true nature of the situation and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted.
• Investigates traffic accidents; issues traffic citation; directs traffic and participates in other emergency operation activities; assists stranded motorists; gives information and directions to visitors and the general public.
• Performs investigations of accidents or possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering physical evidence; performs investigative tasks, arrests and processes criminal suspects; presents findings in court.
• Issues citations for violation of traffic regulations, serves warrants; apprehends and processes criminal suspects and transports to magistrate and/or City detention facilities.
• Regulates and directs vehicular traffic at busy times at local schools and when traffic signal malfunctions or accidents require.
• Operates a two-way radio to receive instructions and information or to report information to police headquarters; maintains vehicle, weapons and other equipment in standards working order.
• Prepares records and reports of activities.
• Advises the public on laws and local ordinances; serves papers as needed.
• Attends training to increase skills and maintain certifications.

Additional Job Duties

Performs other related duties as required. 

Requirements

• Considerable knowledge of State and federal laws, local ordinances and policies of the Police Department, especially relating to search and seizure, traffic control, pursuit, and arrest.
• Working knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
• Some knowledge of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self defense tactics.
• Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to present effective court testimony.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and other public officials.

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, hearing, kneeling, reaching, feeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, crawling, fingering, and performing repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium to heavy work exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally; 20 to 50 pounds frequently; and 10 pounds constantly.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle, perform visual inspections, distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things on patrol, to maintain records and document findings, and to use a computer.

• Graduation from high school and completion of basic law enforcement training; possession of a Basic Law Enforcement Certificate; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Before assignment to sworn duties, employees must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license and have completed at least the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission for certified law enforcement officers.