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 :

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 :

Knowledge of :

Ability to :