Police Officer

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Celina. We are growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative people to join our team of talented and valued employees. High-performing organizations have a set of principles, and core values that are used to implement their goals and objectives. Those values represent what we are deeply passionate about and guide the decisions of the individual employees and the organization. At the City of Celina, we demonstrate our high performance by modeling the Values of Integrity, Community, Excellence, and Service and it is expected of all we employ.

Summary:

Under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant; enforces Federal, State, and City laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and codes by performing various law enforcement tasks that support law enforcement and crime prevention activities. Performs investigative work and other special assignments; performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Celina Police Department. Maintains high visibility in the community to deter and prevent criminal activity and educates the public in ways to protect themselves from criminal activity and/or prevent accidents and injuries. Actively promotes the department's community policing philosophy by involving the community as partners.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by the incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

Essential Job Functions:

General/Patrol/Criminal Investigation

• Patrol a designated area of the City to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Answer calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, misdemeanors and felonies. Respond to general public service calls including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, criminal offenses, and related incidents.
• Secure crime scenes.
• Collect, process, photograph and present evidence using scientific techniques including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence.
• Check buildings for physical security.
• Serve as Field Training Officer as assigned; train new officers on departmental policies, procedures, culture, and activities.
• Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; issue warnings and citations; direct traffic at fire, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Conduct investigations of private property, non-injury, serious injury, and fatality traffic accidents; conduct traffic accident analyses and general traffic surveys.
• Conduct a variety of criminal investigations involving crimes against persons and property, auto theft, white-collar crime, fraud, and narcotics; gather evidence and prepare cases for prosecution.
• Identify suspects; conduct interviews; apprehend and arrest offenders.
• Contact and interview victims and witnesses; preserve and investigate crime scenes.
• Conduct covert, undercover investigations as assigned.
• Contact and coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Maintain contact with the community regarding concerns of crime and the fear of crime; foster good relationships with the community; take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime, proactive crime prevention, and identifying areas where the police and the community can work together.
• Promote and practice the department's community policing philosophy and related strategies of policing.
• Practice procedural justice both inside the department and with all outside contacts.
• Prepare and present presentations to the community as assigned.
• May assist with a variety of special projects as assigned, including department initiatives, weapons qualifications, training events, and activities related to community partnerships. Assist in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.
• Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed.
• Make arrests as necessary; present testimony and evidence in court as required.
• Utilize department and City resources in an efficient and effective manner.
• Successfully complete a one-year probationary period which includes field training and related evaluations.

Other Important Duties:

• Attend meetings, conferences, and training as required.
• Operate police vehicles in a safe and courteous manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the superior office and as required by law.
• Special assignments may include Training Officer and other specialized positions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the specific practices and procedures for assigned unit(s).
• Knowledge of police practices, methods, procedures, equipment, and services.
• Knowledge of customer service and public relations methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of computers and related equipment, hardware, and software to prepare reports, maintain and research databases.
• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.
• Ability to acquire skill in the use of firearms, radio equipment, physical defensive tactics and first aid; the ability to acquire skill in the operation of a patrol vehicle and other law enforcement equipment.
• Ability to remain alert at all times and to reactive quickly, calmly and rationally in times of extreme stress.
• Ability to prioritize in decision-making and make decisive actions.
• Ability to perform duties in a manner that builds trust and legitimacy with the community through the application of procedural justice.
• Ability to Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in performance of duties.
• Skill in effective oral and written communications.
• Skill in de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention.
• Skill in responding appropriately in an emergency situation.
• Skill in implementing and enforcing laws, codes and regulations to protect the public safety.
• Skill in resolving customer complaints and concerns.

General:

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must be 21 years old.
• Possess a valid Texas driver's license.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have 30 college credit hours from an accredited university or college with a 2.0 or higher overall Grade Point Average (GPA); or
• Two (2) years of active-duty U.S. military service with and Honorable discharge; or
• Two (2) years of full-time law enforcement services in the United States; or
• Self-sponsored graduate of a TCOLE-Certified Police Academy and you currently have a TCOLE certificate (Police) in good standing. We may waive the college credit requirement needed on a case-by-case basis.

Disqualifies:

• A class B conviction within the last 10 years.
• A family violence conviction.
• An incomplete or falsified Personal History Statement.
• An incomplete or falsified application.
• Conviction of any offense above a class B misdemeanor.
• Currently on probation or under indictment for any criminal offense.
• Discharge from the military under less than honorable conditions including:
  • Any other characterization of service indicating bad character.
  • Bad conduct.
  • Other than honorable condition.

Driving Record:

• A driving record that indicates the following:
  • Driver's License is currently suspended or revoked.
  • Any serious violation such as reckless driving, endangering lives of others, racing, failing to stop and render aid, or negligent vehicular manslaughter within the past three years.
  • Excessive standard moving violations such as speeding, reckless driving, disregarding a traffic control signal, failure to signal, failure to keep right, following too close, etc.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in municipal police department office and field environments.
• May be subject to repetitive motion such as typing, data entry and vision to monitor.
• May be subject to extended periods of standing, walking, driving, bending, reaching, crawling, climbing, kneeling and lifting when responding to an emergency police situation, accident or investigation.
• Subject to excessive audio/visual discrimination and perception when making professional observations, communicating with others, reading and writing and operating assigned equipment.
• May be subject to exposure to extreme weather conditions, hazardous driving conditions, hostile environments, hazardous chemicals and fumes, body fluids, infectious diseases, air and water borne pathogens.
• Must be able to restrain hostile and/or combative individuals.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and may be required to occasionally lift 110-150 pounds.
• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects such as tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
• Frequently required to walk, stand and sit.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Equipment and Tools Utilized:

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, copier, calculator, fax machine, other standard office equipment, guns, weapons, police safety gear and equipment, radar equipment, police radios and City vehicles. (Some positions require specialty equipment or materials specific to the area of assignment).