Certified / Lateral Police Officer

Police Officer

This position is responsible for general duty police work which includes the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes, as well as maintaining and enforcing law and order. The position operates in and out of the Mountlake Terrace Police Department under the direct supervision of a Sergeant.

Lateral applicants must have worked in Law Enforcement as a paid full-time officer for 24 of the last 36 months and be certified by the CJTC or pass the State Equivalency Academy.

Certified applicants must have : (1) successfully completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy; and (2) have at least six (6) months of experience as a police officer in another jurisdiction.

Out of state candidates, who have previously certified in another state, must pass the CJTC equivalency examination.

The following responsibilities are common to all police officers in the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. Officers assigned to divisions other than Patrol will have special duties assigned them by their respective supervisors.

Provide equal and impartial enforcement of all state and local laws.

Provide service to the people of Mountlake Terrace to safeguard and protect their lives, property and constitutional rights.

Secure all information pertaining to the proper conduct of business prior to the tour of duty.

Ensure civil treatment and protection of all rights of all persons coming within the scope of police authority.

Gather, submit, and maintain intelligence information, and pass on information to other units that may be useful to their investigations.

Respond to crime and / or traffic accident scenes and ensure the protection of the scene and all physical evidence and witnesses until relieved by higher authority.

Conduct the preliminary investigation at crime scenes until either relieved by a detective or to a point where a lapse in the investigation would not hamper or jeopardize the outcome of the case.

Maintain radio communication during tour of duty, including mealtimes, and maintain a response time conducive to the needs of the citizens served, promptly responding to all calls assigned and to those calls assigned other units where their closer proximity and the nature of the call demands immediate response.

Provide first aid and rescue services at crime scenes, accidents, disasters and other emergency situations.

Engage in a wide variety of traffic direction and crowd control activities, particularly in connection with traffic accidents, demonstrations, riots and disasters.

Promote and preserve order, defend persons from imminent physical harm, respond to requests for protective service, resolve conflicts between individuals and groups, and protect individual constitutional guarantees.

Encourage voluntary compliance with the law and reduce the opportunity for criminal activity.

Maintain records of daily activities and present testimony at judicial proceedings and other formal hearings.

Exercise discretion in determining whether to take no action, to advise, warn or arrest.

Enforce all moving violations and parking regulations according to City ordinances to ensure the smooth flow of traffic throughout the City of Mountlake Terrace.

When assigned, give special speeches and presentations to civic and other groups to promote the police image.

Evaluate officer performance and fill out necessary report forms while assigned to the Field Officer Training and Evaluation Program.

Make recommendations to improve operational effectiveness.

When assigned, represent department on City committees and / or programs.

Perform related duties as assigned.

The essential functions and qualifications contained in this job description reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions, the level of knowledge, and scope of the responsibility typically required of the job. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines :

High school diploma or GED.

Graduation from a Basic Law Enforcement Academy sponsored by or equivalent to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission's Basic Law Enforcement Academy.

Lateral applicants must have worked in Law Enforcement as a paid full-time officer for 24 of the last 36 months and be certified by the CJTC or pass the State Equivalency Academy.

Certified applicants must have :

(1) successfully completed the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy; and

(2) have at least six (6) months of experience as a police officer in another jurisdiction. Out of state candidates, who have previously certified in another state, must pass the CJTC equivalency examination.

Must have a valid Washington State driver's license (or be able to attain at time of appointment) and a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier.

Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be complete as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Ability to pass rigorous background investigation, drug test and physical.

Free of felony or domestic violence convictions.

Maintain certification as a Washington State Peace Officer.

Successful completion of the following :

A psychological examination as required in RCW 43.101.095.

A polygraph test as required in RCW 43.101.095.

A physical exam to include a drug test.

A credit check.

A background check.

Incumbents must meet requirements set forth by Washington State and the City for law enforcement officers.

Ongoing education in law enforcement procedures.

Training in the use of assorted job-related equipment.

Proficiency in the use of weapons and self-defense tools.

Knowledge of :

All safety standards and regulations.

All federal, state and local laws enforced by City police.

Newly acted laws and court decisions and their effect on police duties and responsibilities.

Ability to :

Communicate effectively verbally and in writing clearly with public and co-workers, including over the telephone and to hear orders called out in a crime scene.

Work independently and reliably complete tasks on time.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors and general public.

Quickly comprehend and carry out instructions.

Use Microsoft "Windows" word processing, email, internet, spreadsheet and other programs to produce letters and reports.

Type and perform data entry.

File numerically and alphabetically.

Read typed and handwritten notes.

Maintain clear, concise and accurate records and report on items that need attention. Accept responsibility to the health and welfare of the community by performing the responsibilities of the job in a manner that will provide efficient service to the public.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions and learn operations and procedures.

Move across uneven terrain, in traffic, and in tight quarters and maintain a safe environment for yourself and co-workers.

Pass a background check and maintain a level of trust that enables access to confidential criminal material.

Sit, stand, kneel, stoop, bend, climb reach, push / pull grip, sit, stand, walk, run crouch, crawl, twist, lift / move objects weighing 50 pounds, hear.

Operate a motor vehicle (including at high rate of speed), two-way radio (including from field situations) as well as other law enforcement equipment, including computers, radars and weapons.

Conduct coherent voice communication in person as well as via portable radio and telephone.

Carry out required assignments.

Manipulate standard police-related equipment.

Overall stamina and ability to perform moderate to strenuous physical activity as identified by the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Vision sufficient to perform all duties (corrective lenses may be utilized).

Hear alarms and audibly identify the presence of a danger or hazard.

Sufficient level of physical fitness to allow participation in confrontational and / or stressful situations.

Work toward the achievement of department and divisional objectives.

Be thoroughly familiar with the City of Mountlake Terrace and specific areas of assignment.

Analyze situations quickly and objectively recognize actual and potential danger, and to determine the proper course of action.

Cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with respect for the rights of others.

Understand the problems and attitudes of people of all ethnic and economic groups in relation to law enforcement agencies.

Read, understand and interpret applicable federal and state laws and City ordinances, and established