CLASS DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this class is to perform general law enforcement work of average difficulty and responsibility in the preservation and protection of life and property, the prevention of crime, the maintenance of good public order, and the enforcement of civil and criminal law. This class works under general supervision and requires considerable judgment, initiative, and skill in a variety of situations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Below are examples and are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.

1. Promotes public safety in patrol area consistent with agency policies by conducting routine active patrolling of assigned area and observing and investigating all suspicious activities and/or persons.
2. Monitors and responds to all dispatch service calls promptly and consistently with call classification and by agency policies.
3. Enforces traffic laws and arrests or issues summons to traffic law violators. Reports unsafe road conditions and directs the flow of traffic when required. Investigates traffic accidents.
4. Performs checks on dwellings, buildings, grounds, and property to ensure the prevention of damage by fire, theft, and/or vandalism.
5. Collects complete and accurate information and prepares clear and concise reports and affidavits. Keeps records of all activities per established agency policy.
6. Protects crime scenes, gathers and preserves matters of evidence, takes and records testimonies, and directs and coordinates activities on-site until relieved by a superior officer, and assists detectives in specialized investigations.
7. Serves warrants, capiases, court orders, and other legal processes, and locates and arrests persons wanted on warrants or court orders.
8. Makes arrests and testifies in the prosecution of law violators and conducts preliminary and/or detailed investigations of the commission of crime or law violations.
9. Foresees potential danger and eliminates or controls it. Performs law enforcement activities without injuring self or others.
10. Provides backup to other law enforcement personnel.
11. Assesses situations, secures scenes, and restores order including the use of restraints and force where appropriate up to and including deadly force.
12. Operates and maintains emergency and non-emergency equipment, including computerized information management systems to retrieve or enter information.
13. Attends staff meetings to exchange information, and attends in-service training and technical/professional classes, seminars, and/or conferences to improve technical/professional skills. 
14. Assists the general public and other governmental agencies.
15. Performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Certification by the State of Louisiana Peace Officer Standards & Training Council as Law Enforcement Officer.

At a minimum, all employees must be at least 21 years of age (upon the date of hire); have a high school diploma or equivalency; have no felony, drug, or domestic violence convictions; pass all required pre-employment screenings; possess a valid Louisiana driver’s license; be able to communicate both verbally and in writing as required; and possess basic computer skills such as typing, writing reports, and sending and/or receiving emails as applicable to the position.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. Must be able to work in any geographically defined region within Natchitoches Parish.
2. Must be able to work shift work, any days/hours including weekends and holidays as required.
3. In the event of a hurricane, major storm, natural or human-made disaster that may threaten the area, the employee will be expected to work.

ADA COMPLIANCE: 

Physical and Dexterity Requirements: The job requires performance of extremely physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, scaling, and climbing. May involve lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling. Must be able to exert enough force based on Cooper Institute Standards to chase, apprehend, restrain, and control potentially violent and combative law violators, offenders, and detainees. Must possess and maintain physical agility, and strength, including good coordination and reflexes. Tasks may also involve standing, sitting, walking, and driving for long periods of time.

Environmental Hazards: The job requires inside and outside work; ability to tolerate inclement weather including heat, humidity, cold, fog, and sleet. Possible exposure to hazardous materials and conditions, toxic conditions, fumes, odors, vibration, dust, confined areas, animal/human waste and/or bodily fluids.

Sensory Requirements: This job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, and speaking.

TRAVEL: 

Extensive travel inside/outside of Natchitoches Parish (80 - 100%).