Police Officer I,II,III

Position Description 

A Smithfield City Police Officer is a sworn and certified peace officer acting with full authority as prescribed by Utah State Statute 53-13-103.   The SCPD police officer exercises broad discretion in performing a wide variety of law enforcement activities in accordance with the agency’s community oriented policing philosophy to include: patrol, responding to calls for assistance, protection of life and property, detecting violations of criminal law and apprehending criminal violators, problem solving through public awareness and education, and efficiently utilizing emergency equipment and other available resources to prevent and/or reduce crime.  The police officer works under the specific technical supervision of the Corporal and Sergeant, with general supervision of the Lieutenant, and Chief of Police.  Open until filled.  

Essential Job Functions 

Essential functions as determined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties, responsibilities, tasks, and other characteristics.  This list of duties, responsibilities, and tasks is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by this position.  The Chief of Police reserves the right to add or change duties at any time. 

1. Physically respond to calls for service/assistance;


2. Apply federal, state, and local laws as required by duty and responsibility;


3. Initiate enforcement action when violations of law occur; 


4. Physically restrain and/or take into custody resistive or non-resistive offenders; 


5. Prepare written documents, i.e., reports, citations, affidavits, crime analysis, and assist in policy and procedure, etc.; 


6. Employ the use of computers, phones, radios, and other technological devices; 


7. Drive and operate emergency vehicles and equipment; 


8. Handle, use, and qualify with firearms and other weapons; 


9. Exercise appropriate verbal and physical use of force tactics and techniques; 


10. Issue verbal reports, testimony, educational information, warnings, directives, commands, instructions, etc., publicly or privately, formally and informally. 


11. Exercise limited command over patrol responses, and coordinate critical incident or emergency intervention response activities; 


12. Work with calculations, comparisons, analytical figures, basic statistics, and measurements, etc. 


13. Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks  


14. Perform tasks as assigned by the Chief, Lieutenant, Sergeant or Corporal. 


15. Keep up-to-date on current developments in the law and law enforcement practices. 


16. Before beginning tour of duty, obtain essential information and incidents occurring since the last tour of duty. 


17. Meet all minimum performance requirements established by SCPD policies and procedures. 


18. Arrive on duty on time able to perform all physical and mental requirements of the job. 


19. Patrol for crime prevention and general law enforcement purposes and respond to calls for assistance. 


20. Utilizing law enforcement discretion, make quick and decisive assessments of a situation based upon contemporary law. 


21. Take preliminary charge of emergencies and direct on-scene actions. 


22. Identify criminal offenders and criminal activity, and where appropriate, apprehend offenders and participate in subsequent court proceedings. 


23. Receive and implement orders and directives from the Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Chief. 


24. Enforce the law by exercising the minimum amount of force necessary. 


25. Complete detailed incident reports, criminal affidavits, and other reports. 


26. Conduct thorough investigations of all offenses and incidents as assigned and within the scope of activity. 


27. Identify, collect, and preserve evidence and property. 


28. Preserve the peace at public gatherings, neighborhood disputes, and family fights. 


29. Facilitate the safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. 


30. Secure dangerous scenes such as hazardous material spills, road blockage, etc. 


31. Represent the SCPD in various community functions. 


32. Become acquainted with as many members of the community as possible. 


33. Be readily assessable to public contacts. 


34. Treat members of the public with courtesy, professionalism, and integrity. 


35. Identify problems that put human safety at risk, or that may aid in criminal activity. 


36. Determine appropriate actions and solutions to such problems. 


37. Ensure proficiency with duty firearms; maintain those firearms in a functional and presentable condition. 


38. Participate in job training to enhance skills, abilities, and knowledge. 


39. Report all serious or unusual occurrences immediately to a supervisor. 


40. Implement directives which promote and support the SCPD mission, ethics, and values. 


41. Maintain a working knowledge of and comply with all SCPD policies and procedures. 


42. Promote teamwork. 


43. Communicate to sergeant and fellow officers all information pertinent to the achievement of law enforcement objectives. 


44. Take part in team building activities with officers and SCPD employees. 


45. Actively support and participate in SCPD performance appraisals. 


46. Operate emergency vehicles and other equipment in a safe, defensive, and efficient manner. 


47. Exercise authority consistent with the obligations imposed by oath of office and be accountable to supervisors. 


48. Practice good safety procedures and take necessary safety precautions. 


49. Submit equipment requests for approval. 


50. Implement community policing philosophy: 


51. Attend community meetings/ceremonies as invited. 


52. Facilitate problem solving strategies for community anti-crime, and quality of life issues. 


53. Carry out progressive programs designed to protect people and property, prevent and repress crime, apprehend and prosecute offenders, and recover lost or stolen property. 


54. Perform all patrol and investigatory functions as needed to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and professionalism of the Smithfield City Police Department.
    
    

Environmental Factors 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an officer may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 Frequency, Intensity, and Duration of Exposure  

While performing the duties of this job, the officer is regularly exposed to environmental factors with exposure varying in frequency, intensity and duration: 
-Exposure to fluctuating weather, traffic, dust, noise, fumes, and odor conditions. 
-Acute emergency situations. 
-Occasional exposure to chemical, explosive, petroleum, electrical, mechanical, and fire hazards. 
-Blood and other body fluids. 
-Firearms, blunt and edged weapons. 
-Circumstances and situations requiring the use of specialized protective clothing and equipment. 
-Due to the fluctuation in frequency, intensity, and duration of certain calls for service and assignments, some periods of moderate to high stress are expected.  

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 Intermittent and Frequent Occasion  

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is required, with intermittent and/or frequent occasion, to: 
-Sit for extended periods of time; 
-Walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and/or balance; 
-Reach, use hands to finger, handle, feel, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, with an occasional need to lift and/or move 100 pounds or more; 
-Drive an automobile; 
-Read, listen, and speak; 
-Hand to eye coordination; 
-Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 
-Regularly, the employee will be required to wear and/or carry specialized clothing and equipment which can be heavier, warmer, and bulkier than non-law enforcement attire. 

Minimum Qualification Requirements 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Certification/Licenses/Registrations  

-Must hold current or be able to acquire within the specified time allowed by Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training, Utah Peace Officer certification; 
-Must possess a valid driver’s license. 

Education, Experience and/or Skills  

-High school Diploma or GED equivalent; 
-Knowledge of municipal, county, state and federal statutes, codes, and ordinances; 
-Knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices including patrol functions, investigations, identification, traffic control, records management, report preparation, custody of persons and property; 
-Knowledge of equipment used in law enforcement including weaponry, communications, life saving devices, computers, recorders, photography, and automotive equipment; 
-Skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with public and private officials including government, law enforcement agencies, courts, city and county officials, criminal justice system staff, schools, businesses, and community members. 

Language Skills  

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 
Write routine reports and correspondence. 
Ability to speak effectively before staff, peers, and citizens. 
Appear in a courtroom setting and provide accurate and honest verbal testimony relating to the events of an investigation. 
Effectively present information and respond to questions from attorneys, employees, victims, and citizens. 

 Mathematical Skills  

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. 
Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent, and to draw and interpret graphs. 
Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

Reasoning Ability  

Ability to define and solve practical problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 
Ability to interpret a variety of concrete variables in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

Career Requirements 

The SCPD Police Officer brings to the department numerous personal skills, abilities, and competencies acquired through life’s experiences.  Due to the confidence afforded to the Police Officer, she or he accepts the charge to continue refining, developing, and acquiring new skills, abilities, and competencies which will enhance to position as well as the professionalism of Smithfield City Police Department. 

Continued Professional Development  

Comply with Utah POST requirements for continuing certification/employment as a Peace Officer. 
Continue professional development (recommend participation in SCPD Career Development Plan). 
Maintain proper certifications according to duty assignment.