Police Officer

Police Officer

The person we seek will believe in and exhibit the City of Pflugerville's P.F.I.R.S.T. core values : Positive, Forward-Thinking, Integrity, Resilience, Service, and Teamwork.

City of Pflugerville full-time employees enjoy three weeks of paid vacation along with 14 paid holidays a year, as well as an attractive retirement plan where the City puts in 2 dollars for every 1 dollar you put into retirement!

All City of Pflugerville employees, both full-time and part-time, are able to take advantage of a generous 457 deferred compensation plan and a 100% paid employee assistance program that offers financial, legal, mental, and career coaching and much more!

Job Summary

Job Purpose : Protects the life, property, general safety, and welfare of the general public within appropriate jurisdiction by enforcing City, state, and federal laws and ordinances. Job Scope : Exercises significant levels of judgment, discretion, and initiative in performing duties. Applies technical and legal knowledge and expertise to solve complex problems; frequently interfaces with the general public, other department personnel and management, and state, federal, and local government representatives.

Essential Job Functions and Other Important Duties

• Patrol City streets to deter crime and assist citizens as needed; note suspicious persons, activities, or establishments; take action or report the situation.
• Investigate criminal or suspicious activities; secure crime scenes; gather evidence; interview / interrogate witnesses / suspects; make arrests.
• Prepare cases for court; appear in court to present evidence and serve as a witness.
• Investigate and assist at accident scenes : administer first aid as required; call for necessary assistance; investigate the cause and results of accidents; recommend corrective action(s) to help avoid similar future accidents.
• Identify and correct or report public safety hazards.
• Control traffic flow for compliance with local and state regulations : direct and re-route traffic at fires and other disturbances; issue tickets for parking and traffic violations; authorize the tow and impoundment of vehicles as required.
• Prepare accurate and timely reports regarding response calls.
• Perform animal control for City ordinance violations and wild animals in the absence of or in conjunction with the Animal Control Officer.
• Provide information and direction to the public; provide the public with other assistance as necessary, e.g., accessing locked vehicles and homes, obtaining roadside assistance with disabled cars, and other community policing activities, etc.
• Provide support to other Police functions such as School Resource Officers or Police Dispatchers.
• Book, monitor, and control property ensure safety, and search and frisk inmates in the holding facility.
• May help train and oversee the work of less experienced Patrol Officers.
• Maintain patrol cars in safe and clean operating condition.
• Conduct crime prevention inspections and surveys for residential areas or businesses.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Lateral Officer Eligibility Requirements : Be a certified Texas Peace Officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. (TCOLE) Have at least 1 year prior work experience with similar duties in a comparable law enforcement agency and must hold an Intermediate Peace Officer Certificate, or higher, through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Must not have had a break in service as a Police Officer of more than 180 days prior to the start of the background process. The Chief of Police shall determine eligibility for lateral entry of police applicants. Based on the applicant's experience, the Chief will submit a starting Step recommendation to the City Manager for approval, up to Step 6 of the Police Step Plan. Potential starting pay is $72,142 to $83,632.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed & Environmental Factors and Other Physical Requirements

Thorough working knowledge of City ordinances and state and federal laws relating to police operations. Ability to understand detailed written and verbal operating procedures and instructions. Ability to establish and maintain professionally effective working relationships with prosecutors, judges, co-workers, other law enforcement personnel, EMS and fire personnel, the general public, and representatives of state, federal, and local government agencies. Ability to remain calm, make sound decisions, and respond appropriately during stressful situations and under adverse conditions. Ability to safely operate a patrol vehicle and all related equipment, including laptop computers, radio, radar, and video camera systems. Good communication (verbal and written) skills. Proficiency with weapons, and patrol car equipment, Weapons proficiency is to be demonstrated quarterly as prescribed by TCOLE or departmental policy Ability to maintain currency in required TCOLE and departmental training. Will be required to work in settings with extreme cold or extreme heat, depending on the time of year. Exposure to potentially hazardous materials. Work may be conducted under stressful or hazardous conditions; occasionally exposed to life-threatening situations. Work hours are determined by scheduled shift, as assigned by the supervisor; work shifts may include weekends and holidays; overtime may be required; on-call as needed to respond to emergency situations.

Physical Job Requirements : Verbal and written communications. Occasional strenuous activity, including running, jumping, climbing, lifting up to 50 lbs., and carrying, or any other physical activity required to pursue and arrest suspects effectively. Extended periods of sitting at a desk or in a vehicle. Operation of the patrol vehicle and related equipment. Satisfactory physical, psychiatric, and drug testing results, as prescribed by department standards.

Officer Salaries and Incentives

Salary is based on 2080 hours per year and 26 pay periods. The current starting pay is $72,142.11 to $83,632.47 per year ($34.68 / hr to $40.21). Applicants may be eligible to start at a higher rate with experience. Any increase must be approved by HR. As of October 1, 2020, the Pflugerville Police Department has adopted a Step Pay Plan. Each Step represents a year of service at the Pflugerville Police Department. Additional Benefits : Intermediate Peace Officer - $50 a month Advanced Peace Officer - $100 a month Master Peace - $150.00 a month Associates Degree - $75.00 a month Bachelors Degree - $125.00 a month Masters Degree - $150.00 a month Night Differential $2.00 per hour Bilingual Pay - $150.00 a month (Must Pass Test) FTO - $150.00 a month (Must Be Assigned as an FTO) Firearms Instructor - $50.00 a month (Must be assigned as a Firearms Instructor) Detective On Call - $392 a month Advance Accident Investigator - $50.00 a month K-9 - Based on the Officer's hourly rate for care of K-9 etc. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) $46 a month Patrol will receive a $950 uniform allowance per year for duty gear, boots, dry cleaning, etc. Longevity pay - $8 per month or $96 per year of service is paid to employees in December Sick Leave Incentive - 25% of unused but accrued sick leave for the year is paid to employees in December. Employee Purchase Program - Eligible for up to $2000 per fiscal year for employees to purchase duty-related gear.

Testing and Hiring Process

The following information will explain the Pflugerville Police Department hiring process. There are several steps in the process that each applicant must pass before receiving an offer of employment. Please keep in mind before reading through these steps : Applicants who do not meet the Minimum Requirements will be disqualified. Applicants should review the Applicant Disqualifiers page before applying for a position with the Pflugerville Police Department. Applicants who meet minimum requirements and do not have a disqualifier should complete the steps below.