Police Officer

Police Officer

Under general supervision of the Chief of Police, is responsible for day-to-day quality assurance in serving and protecting the citizens of Coalinga including but not limited to law enforcement, crime prevention, traffic flow and enforcing state and local traffic regulations; and completes other related work as required.

Representative Duties :

• Patrols the City in a radio car or on foot.
• Performs as a traffic officer, juvenile officer, investigator, and school resource officer.
• Investigates crimes.
• Apprehends law breakers.
• Transports prisoners to City and County jail.
• Serves warrants.
• Provides assistance to officers from other law enforcement agencies.
• Watches for disturbances and suspicious activities.
• Answers calls and investigates complaints.
• Secures evidence.
• Testifies in court.
• Books, fingerprints and photographs prisoners.
• Writes detailed and accurate reports of police duties and activities during each shift.
• Performs other required duties relative to police work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities : Familiarity with police methods and objectives; interest and enthusiasm for police work. Skill and Ability to : Deal courteously with the public and work cooperatively with others; be alert and use good judgment; obtain a standard first aid / Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate; learn standard broadcasting procedures of the police radio system; learn laws of arrest pertinent to local and state laws; learn the use and care of firearms. Attitude : Characterized by initiative, commitment to teamwork and quality performance, and a customer-service orientation; must interact in a positive manner with City employees and the public; willingness to follow a prescribed routine and to work as assigned.

Physical and Psychological Requirements : Tasks require a variety of physical activities periodically involving muscular strain related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting and reaching. Essential functions require talking, hearing and seeing. Mental application utilizes memory for details, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Frequent travel required in course of performing portions of job functions. Elements of the job pose various degrees of hazard uncertainty common to law enforcement. Incumbents in this classification are required to work rotating shifts and assignments, and may be assigned to work overtime with little or no notice. Due to the varied and unpredictable nature of police work, incumbents may also be required to perform the following : Measure distances using calibrated instruments such as when investigating traffic accidents or processing crime scenes; make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand position such as when sighting and shooting a firearm; direct traffic which requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand movements; use sufficient strength to enable incumbent to sprint, jump, or physically overcome resistance when chasing or apprehending suspects; coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously such as when using a hand radio while driving a vehicle or searching a building with firearm drawn, flashlight on and opening and closing doors; bend or stoop repeatedly and continuously over time such as getting in and out of a patrol car or gathering evidence at crime scenes; patrol officers wear a 15 pound utility / gun belt which requires the continuous support from stomach and lower back muscles; a patrol officer typically spends 7-8 hours per day driving a vehicle which requires the continuous support of lower back muscles; climbing ladders and searching rooftops requires lifting arms above shoulder level and working at heights greater than ten feet; searching for suspects or lost persons may require walking over rough, uneven, slippery or rocky surfaces including fields, parks, hillsides and creeks; an officer is required to listen for alarms, screams, breaking glass or other suspicious and unusual noises that may require investigation; move heavy objects such as equipment (50 pounds and more), and lift and carry injured or intoxicated persons short and long distances; work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements; tolerate very hot and very cold temperatures; sit for extended periods of time and may or may not be able to change positions such as when sitting in a patrol vehicle, or performing surveillance; foot beat and search activities require walking for extended periods of time, unable to stop, sit or rest at will; crowd and traffic control duties require standing for extended periods of time, unable to sit or rest at will.

Education and Experience : U.S. high school graduate; passed the GED test; passed the California High School Proficiency Exam; or attained a two (2) year or four (4) year degree from an accredited college or university. P.O.S.T Basic Police Academy Certification must be obtained by time of appointment. No former law enforcement experience required. Valid State of California Drivers License, Class C; must be insurable under the City's insurance policy without the City incurring any additional premiums or costs. Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship; pass a polygraph; pass a thorough background investigation with no disqualifying criminal history; a physical examination with drug test; and a psychological evaluation.

Required Material : City of Coalinga Employment Application, Copy of appropriate licenses / certificates, Resume.

Notes : Minimum Qualifications and required material must be met / received by the last day of the filing period. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that all required material has been received. Faxed applications will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes submitted in lieu of a completed City of Coalinga Employment Application will not be accepted. All communication and correspondence from the City of Coalinga will be sent to the applicant via electronic communication to the email address provided by the applicant on the submitted employment application. The City of Coalinga is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, or covered veteran's status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.