Description

The Police Officer patrols designated areas of the City in order to prevent or discover criminal activity, identify needs for community, or as a showing of police presence as a deterrent to crime. Responds to and investigates calls for service involving accidents, misdemeanors, felonies, nuisances, and others to ensure the safety of the citizens of Liberty Hill.

Requirements

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
• Protects the lives and property of the people of Liberty Hill; enforces the laws of the government, state, and city; serves the people in the manner necessary within the scope and duty of designated assignment.
• Identifies concerns, presents options for courses of action, identifies resources, plans for implementation of changes, and evaluates success; coordinates information and resources across other department employees, public and private agencies, and citizens regarding crime problems and solutions.
• Recognizes suspicious behaviors of persons which may indicate involvement in criminal offenses; stops and interviews suspicious persons; completes field interrogation cards.
• Observes and recognizes erratic driving; issues traffic citations; conducts field sobriety tests and makes DWI arrests when appropriate; assists in ensuring the safety of persons on the roadways within the City.
• Manages, controls, and directs crime scenes; preserves evidence, secures and interviews witnesses, obtains written statements, develops and lifts latent fingerprints, and collects other forensic evidence; maintains complete and accurate evidence and crime scene logs.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; interacts with a variety of people functioning under various emotional states in order to stop criminal activity, obtain or provide information, or counsel and give aid.
• Demonstrates and maintains the ability to walk, run, jump, or dodge obstacles, climb stairs, fences and ladders in pursuit of fleeing suspects; ability to lift, drag, push, or pull people or objects; ability to use restraining devices and hands/feet for self defense; maintains proficiency with a firearm.
• Handles calls for service; interacts with the public regularly to further community policing efforts; speaks before groups as departmental needs arise; maintains contact and networks with other law enforcement agencies, Emergency Medical Services, and Fire Department.
• Conducts self in accordance with high ethical standards both on and off duty; maintains a high level of competence and professionalism

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED

Required Licenses or Certifications:

•  TCOLE Certification or current enrollment in an accredited academy.
• Competition of six (6) month probationary period.

Required Knowledge of:

• City, State, and Federal laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Content and intent of Texas criminal law.
• Adult and juvenile judicial procedures
• Civil and constitutional law.
• Principles of supervision and progressive discipline.
• Department policies, procedures, and processes.
• Laws of arrest and search and seizure.
• Techniques of interview and interrogation.
• Criminal case preparation.
• Crime scene management.
• Strong communication skills and tactics to interact with diverse individuals.
• Use of good judgment and sound decision-making practices in matters related to the job.

Required Skill in:

• Prepare clear and concise written reports.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with leadership, internal staff, and the community.
• Establish and maintain effective professional relationships.
• Analyze dangerous situations and effectively identify a safe course of action to resolve conflict.
• Enforce Federal, State, and municipal laws.
• Exercise authority in a positive manner while maintaining discipline within the department.
• Ensure department standards are met with all policies and processes being followed.
• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, policies and procedures, operating instructions, legal documents, and procedure manuals
• Write routine reports and correspondence.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all City business and information.
• Accessible, responsive, responsible, and transparent in all aspects of matters related to the job.
• Demonstrate a respectful and professional attitude in dealing with the public, coworkers, and others.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to work in a field environment, office, and police vehicle.
• This is a uniformed position as required for performance of duty.
• The environment consists of indoor and outdoor conditions, some may be extreme; exposure to emergency public safety environment; exposure to emergency and disaster situations; exposure to potentially hostile environments; exposure to dangerous and/or hostile people; animal and human body fluids; hazards of emergency driving; hazards associated with traffic control and working in and near traffic; working in and near natural and man-made disasters, exposure to inclement weather conditions; may be required to work in and around heavy vehicles and equipment; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes and gas when assisting in emergency calls; possible exposure to hazardous chemicals, high voltage and toxic materials; exposure to waste and infectious diseases; frequent contact with the public.
• The essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, running or walking for prolonged periods of time; medium to heavy lifting; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, jumping and climbing; may be required to take offensive and/or defensive action during physical confrontations; ability to discharge a firearm; the ability to operate motorized equipment and/or assigned vehicles; carry, push, pull, drag or hold medium to heavy weight objects; visual acuity and ability to pass a physicians routine medical exam.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.