Police Officer

During an assigned tour of duty, on foot, or in an automobile, patrols a designated area to provide assistance and protection for persons, to safeguard property, to assure observance of the law, and to apprehend lawbreakers; does related work as required. NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. PREPARATION FOR WORK Attends roll call in proper uniform, listening to information and assignments given orally, and reads "squeal sheet," bulletin board, and/or logs of previous shifts, in order to establish presence, receive assignments, and to maintain continuity of service or action. Gathers together necessary equipment such as shotgun, flashlight, summons books, etc., in order to be prepared for duty. Inspects and maintains patrol car by visually checking and/or operating all equipment, by arranging for washing, waxing, and mechanical service, and by taking patrol car to service location in order to insure that vehicle is ready for patrol. Inventories and maintains equipment carried in patrol car such as first aid kit, oxygen supply, blanket, flares, etc., by utilizing an equipment check list, and by replacing missing or damaged items in order to assure readiness for patrol. Maintains issued uniform and weapons, by arranging for cleaning and reassembling firearms in order to assure their proper appearance and serviceability. FIGHTS AND DOMESTIC DISPUTES Separates parties involved in a fight situation by physically intervening or escorting one party out of reach of the other, in order to prevent injury to any of the parties involved. Attempts to calm parties involved in a fight situation by asking each party to tell or discuss his or her side, in order to gain control of the situation. Discusses possible solutions with parties involved in a dispute by referring parties to appropriate services and explaining legal recourse, in order to fully resolve the dispute or prevent its recurrence. Arrests one or more parties in a fight situation, by using standard procedures, in order to restore peace. GENERAL PATROL Patrols throughout assigned area either on foot or in patrol car, looking for anything unusual in order to increase patrol visibility and prevent crime, or to discover crime in progress. Maintains radio communications with headquarters by operating walkie- talkie or patrol car radio in order to facilitate patrol activities. Assesses situations by utilizing information received from the dispatcher and by visually and orally inspecting premises and surrounding environment in order to make decisions concerning choice of actions and equipment. Issues summonses for various violations of municipal ordinances and state laws by writing the required information on summons and delivering a copy to the accused, in order to enforce the law. Facilitates the remediation of miscellaneous hazardous conditions (e.g., road obstructions, malfunctioning signals, etc.) by direct action or by notifying appropriate agencies, in order to restore safe conditions in the assigned sector. Maintains surveillance of persons suspected of unlawful activity and notifies supervisor, or detectives of important information, in order to facilitate the investigative procedure. Reports, or receives description(s) of suspect(s) at large by radio transmission in response to, or back-up for, criminal actions, in order to aid, or to enlist aid of fellow officers in the apprehension of suspects/perpetrators. Following legal guidelines, stops suspicious people, asks them to show identification, and to explain what they are doing in order to detect or prevent a criminal action. Attempts to disarm persons threatening others with a weapon by using calming conversation and obtaining assistance, in order to neutralize a dangerous situation. Secures the scene of a crime, or emergency by blocking off the area with barricades, ropes, etc., and by standing guard in order to prevent damage, loss, or injury. Records patrol activities by filling out log sheet after each call in order to account for actions, mileage, and time on a daily basis. SERVICE CALLS Promotes good will by talking casually with people, answering questions, referring citizens to other services, and learning of situations requiring police action in order to gain the confidence and support of community members. Controls crowd at emergency scene, following established procedures, in order to insure that emergency services can be performed quickly and safely. Assists in evacuation of buildings, or areas by orally ordering people to leave or by physically escorting them from the area in order to remove them from danger. Examines ill or injured persons, and administers the appropriate first aid treatment in order to prevent further injury or loss of life. Guards dignitaries by continuously positioning self in a manner to most effectively provide protection in order to assure safe passage through the area. Escorts businessmen to and/or from the bank, and frightened citizens to their destination by taking them in the patrol car, or by walking with them in order to provide protection. Gives assistance to operators of disabled vehicles by repairing vehicle, or obtaining necessary repair service, or by transporting driver and occupants to a place where shelter, or assistance can be obtained in order to alleviate a potentially dangerous situation. Returns lost children by interrogating passers-by, and responsible persons in the area where children were discovered in order to restore the children to the custody of their parents or guardians. Transports or escorts intoxicated persons home or to the hospital in order to assure their safety. Blocks suicide attempts by talking to persons threatening and/or attempting suicide, comforting and reassuring them in order to convince them to give up the suicide attempt. Assists citizens in gaining entry to their vehicles or home when a lockout has occurred, using improvised means in order to provide a necessary service. TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS Directs, or re-routes vehicle and pedestrian traffic at emergency scenes at high volume traffic locations, and at school crossings, using hand signals, flares, and/or barricades, in order to insure the safety of pedestrians and the smooth flow of traffic. &nbs