Police Officer (Lateral)

Police Officer

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Police Officer with the Tulare Police Department. The City of Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 67,834, located in the heart of California's Central Valley. The City provides a full-range of services to our citizens. The organization, staffed with 368 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork and dedication to public service and our community.

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of law enforcement, community policing, and crime prevention work, including patrol, traffic, narcotics, motorcycle, crime prevention, school resource, investigations, and the protection of life and property; maintains good community relations and provides information and assistance to the public; enforces Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; serves in specialized departmental roles as assigned; and performs related work as required.

Receives general supervision from a Police Sergeant. Exercises no direct supervision of staff.

This sworn, working-level law enforcement class performs all non-supervisory assignments found in a municipal police department. While incumbents are normally assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic enforcement, all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including community policing, narcotics, K-9, motorcycle, crime prevention, school resource, and investigations are included. Incumbents are required to be armed while on duty and may be assigned to work in uniform or plain clothes. Shift schedules and job assignments are changed periodically to ensure the maximum delivery of effective police services. This class is distinguished from Police Corporal in that the latter is the first lead level in this sworn class series.

Knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, pursuit, apprehension and transportation of suspects. Investigation and identification techniques and equipment. Rules of evidence regarding search, seizure, and the preservation of evidence. Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, ordinances, court decisions, and departmental rules and regulations. Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agencies, impact weapons, and tazers. Techniques of first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED). Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment. Computer applications related to the work. Problem solving and decision making skills. Principles and practices of effective interpersonal communication. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for effectively dealing with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often when relations may be confrontational or stressed. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to learn a considerable amount of factual information regarding laws, ordinances, statutes, regulations, procedures, and apply this knowledge to the duties of the position. Observe accurately, recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, facts of incidents and places. Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies and procedures, laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances. Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, records, and other written materials. Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs. Coordinate and carry out special assignments. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations. Enter information into a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work. Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations. Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines. Operate a motor vehicle in a safe and responsible manner under patrol and emergency conditions; act effectively and calmly in emergency situations. Safely and skillfully use firearms and other police equipment. Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and software programs. Comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communication in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to intended audiences. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations. Establish, maintain, and foster effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade and one (1) year of experience working with the public. Some college-level coursework in and / or volunteer law enforcement experience are desirable.

Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license with a satisfactory driving record. Valid basic certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). Possession and maintenance of firearms qualification.

Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. Emotional stability, coping skills, judgment, flexibility, and social skills. Free of any bias based on race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.