Police Officer

Overview

Prior to application, candidates must first pass a written and physical exam through Public Safety Testing and submit their scores to City of Sequim via the Public Safety Testing website (www.publicsafetytesting.com).

A Police Officer's primary responsibility is to maintain peace, safety and order and to protect life and property through impartial enforcement of federal, state and local laws. Under the direction of a Sergeant or command staff, the Police Officer is responsible for protecting lives and property within his / her jurisdiction. It is important for officers to maintain a high public profile in order to deter criminal behavior.

BASE WAGE RANGE for this position is $37.11 - $45.89 per hour. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, employees will start at the lower end of the salary range.

This position is eligible for longevity pay, which entitles the employee to a 2% pay increase for every five years employed at the City, to a maximum of 8% after 20+ years. This position is also eligible for education pay, which entitles the employee to a 2% pay increase for an Associate\'s Degree or a 4% pay increase for a Bachelor\'s Degree. Taking these numbers into account, the salary for this position could ultimately range from $37.11 - $51.40 per hour, with the upper pay appropriate for an employee with a Bachelor\'s Degree with 20+ years of longevity.

This is a non-supervisory position; however, he / she may be responsible for providing guidance, training and evaluation to new recruits and reserve police officers. A police officer will be required to work any days of the week including Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and will be subject to shift assignment and / or rotation. Civil Service rules of the City shall apply to the Police Officer. The job duties and responsibilities represented in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Police Officers will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a supervisor.

• Operates a motor vehicle for extended periods of time in all environmental conditions and on occasion operates the vehicle at high speeds and in congested traffic situations.
• Patrols city limits from a patrol car or on foot or bicycle to monitor activity.
• Directs traffic in congested and emergency areas; reports safety hazards.
• Responds to scenes of collisions, investigates cause, and takes enforcement action.
• Responds to the scenes of crimes, traffic collisions and accidents, searching for and preserving evidence.
• Interviews victims, witnesses and potential suspects.
• Patrols and examines buildings and residences to detect suspicious conditions.
• Monitors and enforces traffic laws and safety ordinances within a prescribed jurisdiction.
• Issues criminal citations and infractions.
• Identifies and eliminates hazards to public safety.
• Detects and / or prevents criminal activities.
• Apprehends individuals suspected of unlawful activity, while observing constitutional and legal guidelines.
• Responds to calls for service and assistance from citizens.
• Conducts detailed investigations, identify and interview witnesses, victims and suspects, and gather information that pertains to suspected criminal activities.
• Records information related to daily patrol activities and prepares reports based on this information to aid in the prosecution of offenders.
• Prepares reports pertaining to arrests and investigations.
• Appears in court to testify as needed.
• Provides first aid as needed.
• Conducts light preventative maintenance on departmental equipment.
• May conduct follow-up investigations based upon reports and other data compiled by department personnel.

An applicant must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. An Associate's degree from an accredited academic institution is highly desired. Attendance at and graduation from the Washington State Basic Police Academy is required by State law, however this will be covered as an employee of the City.

Must be able to pass Washington State standards for police officers, have the ability and willingness to maintain strict confidentiality, and be able to read, understand and interpret ordinances, laws, and other operating procedures and to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

CPR, AED and first aid certification, qualification in the use of firearms, and training in the use of specialized police equipment, such as radar and breathalyzer machines is required. Maintaining a valid Washington State driver's license throughout employment, along with proof of insurability is required. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the field training program and probation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors, and he / she will be required to perform normal duties in inclement or severe weather conditions and / or natural or manmade disasters. The employee may have exposure to hazards such as chemicals, insect stings, and temperature extremes. The employee may also have exposure to blood, communicable diseases (i.e. blood borne / air borne pathogens), filthy, and unsanitary conditions. A Police Officer may expect to encounter irrational, ill, hostile or violent individuals and may be subject to verbal and / or physical attack or assault from such individuals, or may have gunfire directed at him / her. A Police Officer may be required to investigate and be exposed to violent crime scenes, and / or tragic injuries or deaths. The individual serving in this capacity will be required to use a firearm and specialized protective equipment (i.e., body armor) or generalized protective equipment (i.e., rubber or plastic gloves). The employee will routinely encounter emergency situations that may require rapid evacuation of an area in order and must therefore have the physical ability to walk, run, push or lift. A Police Officer must also have the physical and emotional capabilities to engage in physical altercations and confrontations and to subdue or calm a combative individual, and to rescue victims. A Police Officer will be required to operate a City patrol car safely and efficiently. A Police Officer is subject to shift rotation, and may be required to work overtime as the need arises. Subpoenaed appearances in court to testify in the prosecution of individuals charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses is a regular and ongoing occurrence, and such appearances may be required during a Police Officer's day(s) off, or before or after a regularly scheduled work shift. Police Officers may be placed in a stand-by (subject to call) status.

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