Description

SUMMARY OF JOB
Under direction of the Police Department chain of command, the City of Somerset Police Officer performs a full range of municipal law enforcement and crime prevention duties. The Police Officer protects life and property, preserves the peace, responds to calls for service and emergencies, enforces applicable laws and ordinances, conducts preliminary investigations, performs traffic enforcement, makes lawful arrests, prepares reports, and provides professional police services to the community.

Requirements

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
Patrol assigned areas by police vehicle, on foot, bicycle, or other authorized means to deter and detect criminal activity and provide a visible law enforcement presence. 
Respond to calls for service, emergencies, alarms, disturbances, suspicious activity, welfare concerns, and requests for police assistance. 
Protect life and property, preserve the peace, render aid to injured persons, and request fire, EMS, or other emergency assistance when necessary. 
Enforce applicable federal and State laws and City ordinances. 
Conduct traffic enforcement, perform traffic stops, direct traffic, issue warnings and citations, and investigate motor vehicle crashes. 
Conduct preliminary investigations of criminal activity and other incidents; interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; gather information; and document investigative findings. 
Identify, collect, preserve, document, and properly handle evidence and property. 
Make lawful arrests; pursue and apprehend fleeing suspects when appropriate; search, restrain, and transport suspects and prisoners. 
Prepare clear, accurate, complete, and timely incident, offense, arrest, crash, citation, and other required reports. 
Practice problem-solving techniques in support of community policing strategies and work cooperatively with residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations. 
Provide information, assistance, and direction to members of the public and maintain professional and courteous relationships. 
Assist other officers, City departments, and outside law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency response agencies. 
Serve warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents as assigned and authorized. 
Testify in Municipal, County, District, or other courts and assistwith preparation of cases for prosecution. 
Participate in required training and maintain required licenses, certifications, skills, knowledge, and abilities. 
 
KNOWLEDGE OF: 
Modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, community policing, traffic enforcement, officer safety, and emergency response. 
Applicable criminal, traffic, and municipal laws and ordinances and constitutional principles affecting law enforcement activities. 
Arrest, search and seizure, use of force, custody, and prisoner-handling procedures. 
Evidence identification, collection, preservation, documentation, and presentation. 
Basic criminal investigation techniques, interviewing, report writing, and crime-scene responsibilities. 
Safe use and care of firearms, police vehicles, radios, computers, restraints, and other law enforcement equipment. 
 
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND LICENSING 
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. An associate degree or college coursework in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field is preferred. 
Prior law enforcement experience is preferred but is not requiredwhen the applicant otherwise meets City appointment standards and Texas peace officer licensing requirements. 
Applicants must possess an appropriate, valid Texas driver's license and must be licensed as a peace officer through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) at the time of appointment, or otherwise meet licensing requirements established by the City. 
Officers must maintain all licenses, certifications, and training required for continued service as a Texas peace officer.