POLICE OFFICER

Police Officer

To apply for this position, you must register through the City of Bellevue employment website. You may apply with our agency at any time. Our application process will remain open year around. The actual start date of the testing process will be dependent upon many variables, including but not limited to, police officer positions available, and number of qualified applicants signed up. Once a testing date is determined, all applicants will be notified via email, with specific details of the testing process.

The testing process will consist of the following:

Physical Test

The Physical Fitness test that applicants will be required to complete, is the Cooper test. This is the standardized test that has been adopted by the Nebraska Law Enforcement Academy, which requires applicants to pass with a 30% or higher for entry into the academy. The Cooper Test consists of five exercises, which are the vertical jump, sit-ups (1 min), 300-meter sprint, push-ups (1min) and the 1.5-mile run. Applicants are not required to get a 30% in each category but are required to get an overall accumulative score of 30% or higher.

Another link is also being provided, which contains a short video that explains each exercise in the Cooper Test, so that applicants can better understand the body positioning and form needed during each exercise that is required for each rep to count. Each exercise will also be explained in detail and demonstrated on the day of the test. For the vertical jump test, we will using the electronic jump mats.

If you have passed the Cooper Test with a 40% or above with the Bellevue Police Department or outside agency within 3 months prior to testing, you may submit a "Candidate Score Transfer Form" to have your scores transferred for this test. This form and proof from the outside agency must be submitted to Lisa Vetter.

Written Test

The written exam will consist of the Police Officer Selection Test (P.O.S.T). A study guide is available for pickup at the front desk of the Bellevue Police Department, during normal business hours (Monday Friday, 8am 4:30pm). If you have taken the POST Exam with the Bellevue Police Department within the last 12 months of testing, you may submit a "Candidate Score Transfer Form" to have your scores transferred for this test. This form must be submitted to Lisa Vetter.

The TABE test, which is a test required for entry into the police academy, will be administered later in the hiring process. If you have already taken and passed the TABE Test, you will need to provide proof of this to Lisa Vetter at Lisa.vetter@bellevue.net . Study Guides for the TABE 11/12 Test Level D are available for purchase from Amazon as well as other online vendors.

*Contact Lisa Vetter at Lisa.vetter@bellevue.net to request the Candidate Score Transfer Form.

Please visit the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center site at the link below for admissions standards including the Cooper Test requirement information:

https://ncc.nebraska.gov/academy-admission

EFFECTIVE 10-1-25 SALARY RANGE: $34.57 - $49.29 HOURLY ($71,905 - $102,523 YEARLY)

This position is subject to a veterans' preference.

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for performing general Police services, including protection of lives and property, enforcement of laws, investigation of crimes, and providing general assistance to the public. A high degree of independence and initiative are exercised while performing these duties in accordance with Department policies and procedures, City Ordinances, and State Laws.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patrols assigned areas of the City on foot, bicycle, or motor vehicle to maintain the general order and peace; to deter, prevent, and discover the commission of crime; and to enforce traffic and parking laws and regulations.

Responds to crimes in progress, accidents, natural disasters, fires, citizen complaints and other calls for the benefit of the citizens of the City.

Conducts security checks in designated patrol area of businesses, residences, parks, and other public properties.

Takes appropriate action at emergency, accident, and crime scenes; identifies, gathers, and secures evidence; aids victims or injured persons; identifies and interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects; and photographs, sketches, or draws diagrams of the scenes.

Prepares accurate and timely incident and other reports as needed.

Assists and cooperates with Department specialists and other law enforcement personnel and agencies as needed.

Identifies, pursues, and arrests suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts; books arrestees/prisoners.

Conducts searches of persons, vehicles, residences, or open spaces.

Serves warrants.

Carries, maintains, and uses firearms or other assigned law enforcement equipment, such as batons, chemical deterrents and tasers.

Renders credible testimony in a court of law.

Renders aid as a first responder to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries or illness. Investigates criminal and non-criminal incidents, including collection, preservation and analysis of evidence; and preparation of related investigative and other reports. Works with attorneys and other law enforcement personnel to prepare court cases.

Performs assignment in any Division as directed.

Provides citizens of the City with assistance as needed.

Performs such other duties as are regularly assigned to Bellevue Police Officers.

*Attendance at the assigned work location is an essential function.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY:

Knowledge of the modern methods and practices of Police patrol, criminal investigation and identification, and administration.

Knowledge of pertinent Federal and State Laws and City Ordinances, particularly with reference to the apprehension, arrest, and prosecution of law violators, and the admissibility of evidence.

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the Police Department.

Knowledge of the geographical boundaries and streets of the City of Bellevue, including locations of major businesses, apartment complexes, parks, and other public areas.

Ability to skillfully interview or interrogate victims, witnesses, suspects, and others.

Ability to mediate situations; using the following skills as needed: active listening, needs assessment, negotiation, and consensus-building.

Ability to exercise a high degree of interpersonal insight, to include: recognizing and respecting the needs of others; recognizing and evaluating the impact of self and decisions on others; developing and maintaining trust with peers, superiors, other law enforcement personnel and criminal justice officials, and the public; recognizing and responding positively to diversity issues.

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with co-workers, superiors, other law enforcement personnel and criminal justice officials, and the public.

Ability to think critically, analyzing situations quickly and objectively, using logical and creative thought processes, to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action that adhere to written policies, procedures, rules, regulations and/or oral instructions, with due regard to the surrounding hazards and particular circumstances.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making in performing all duties and assignments, balancing the relative risks and benefits of potential actions and making a choice that adheres to Department values and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.

Ability to effectively and clearly express and present information orally, to include: articulating ideas and concerns so that others understand them, presenting the message appropriately to suit the persons involved, being persuasive and calm with argumentative individuals, displaying confidence, and presenting clear testimony in court.

Ability to effectively and accurately express ideas and information through written means, to include: preparing concise and clear reports, using correct grammar, differentiating facts from opinions, completing requisite research, obtaining feedback, and proofreading the finished product.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and effectively in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Ability to operate Police equipment, such as radio, Police radar, preliminary breath test analyzers, handcuffs, batons, etc.

Ability to physically protect self and others in threatening and stressful situations, including the ability to pursue, subdue, and control resisting individuals, using techniques approved by the Department.

Ability to use a personal computer, the most common office software programs, Police software programs and data bases, and to operate a mobile data computer terminal.

Ability to project a professional Police presence, in appearance and actions, at all times while on duty and acting as a Police Officer.