Police Officer

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Police Officers perform a broad range of law enforcement duties such as conducting investigations, enforcing laws,

preventing crime, assisting citizens, high visibility patrol, problem solving, and responding to emergency and non-

emergency calls for service. Duties are carried out under the general supervision of a Sergeant or other superior Officer. This position involves considerable decision making and independent judgment in conformance with agency

objectives, standards, policies, procedures, and the law.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND TASKS

• Patrols assigned geographical areas by car, motorcycle, bike, or on foot.
• Utilizes two-way radios and performs queries of computer databases.
• Remains alert for suspicious conditions, hazards, and illegal activities.
• Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Conducts thorough preliminary investigations of reported crimes.
• Enforces traffic laws, impounds vehicles, and investigates traffic collisions.
• Operates speed detection equipment, computers, and preliminary breath test devices.
• Responds to roadway hazards, directs motorist, and restores traffic flow.
• Apprehends, transports, processes, and files charges against offenders.
• Identifies, collects, packages, preserves, and labels evidence.
• Prepares organized case files and testifies in judicial proceedings.
• Searches commercial, residential, and other structures.
• Assists members of the public and provides information on resources.
• Prepares various detailed reports and documents.
• Devises solutions and takes action to address community concerns.
• Stays informed about judicial rulings and changes in laws.
• Documents facts, statements, observations, actions, and dispositions.
• Participates in youth programs and public engagement events.
• Renders first aid and performs CPR.
• Complete other duties as assigned by superiors.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

ABILITY TO:

• Read, understand, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, laws, regulations, court rulings, professional

journals, directives, policies, charts, and job-related documents.

• Foster and maintain positive working relationships with employees, private and public organizations, and citizens.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively to adopt reasonable courses of action with due regard for surrounding

hazards and circumstances.

• Learn to use and care for general office equipment, telephones, computers, digital software, firearms, police

vehicles, portable radios, expandable batons, handcuffs, flares, pepper spray, conducted electrical weapons,

FN303’s, preliminary breath-tests devices, body-worn cameras, and StarChase system.

• Learn and apply the principles and practices of law enforcement such as search and seizure, rules of evidence,

crime suppression strategies, traffic enforcement, investigation, crime scene control, evidence collection, interview

and interrogation, laws of arrest, juvenile detentions, criminal procedures, and community-policing.

• Follow complicated instructions, accept constructive criticism, independently organize work, set priorities, meet

deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using proper vocabulary, spelling, grammar,

sentence structure, and punctuation.

• Learn, enforce, and conform to Federal statutes, State laws, local ordinances, and the U.S. Constitution.
• Learn to maintain position of advantage during interactions and effectively control the movement of persons.
• Retain a necessary amount of job information and knowledge to effectively perform duties.
• Recognize verbal and non-verbal clues of imminent flight, resistance, and physical attack.
• Learn to interview and elicit relevant information from victims, suspects, and witnesses.
• Listen, understand, and properly respond to what others are saying.
• Spot hazards, suspicious conditions, deception, and illegal activities.

REQUIRED PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force

to constantly move objects.

• Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, running, pushing, pulling,

lifting, twisting, fingering, grasping, handling, smelling, seizing, holding, controlling, feeling, and assuming cramped

or unusual positions.

• Vocal communication for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word and conveying detailed or

important instructions to others accurately, loudly, and quickly.

• Color vision to identify and distinguish colors.
• Visual acuity for depth perception, night vision, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data,

use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the

accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

• Hearing to perceive information at normal volumes of spoken word, to receive information through oral

communications, and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.

• Finger dexterity to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police

equipment.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL:

• Exposure to indoor and outdoor conditions including extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, electrical shock,

and radiant energy.

• Exposure to fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, and gases, that impacts eyes, skin, and the respiratory system.
• Exposure to blood, other bodily fluids, and communicable diseases.
• Contact with water or other liquids; or non-weather-related humidity.
• Working near and handling mechanical parts and explosives.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Minimum Criteria: High School Diploma, twenty-one years of age or older, basic computer and internet literacy,

excellent written and verbal communications skills, keen observation skills, good moral character, strong passion

for public service, acceptable personal grooming and hygiene habits, dedication to principles of community-oriented

policing, and the ability to complete a rigorous entrance-level police training academy.

Desired Skills, Experience, and Education: Associate degree, military experience, and prior work in security,

corrections, investigations, customer service, or public safety.

Licenses / Certifications: Must possess a valid driver’s license and meet certification requirements set forth by

the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

Other Significant Facts: Job candidates must undergo a comprehensive background investigation, medical physical,

psychological examination, drug screening, and truth verification test. Employees are subject to random drug and

alcohol testing according to the City of Seat Pleasant's Drug-Free Workplace Policy. This position requires the use of

Personal Protective Equipment.