Police Officer

Police Officers perform general policing functions intended to ensure the safety and security of lives and property within the City. Activities include patrol, traffic enforcement, and investigative duties. Officers work under general supervision of a Sergeant and are assigned to a particular area of the City. Officers may be assigned to special activities or projects on an on-going or short-term basis (e.g., crime prevention, investigations, school resource officer, etc.). The work performed involves a considerable risk to personal safety for self and others and requires quick decision making when determining the appropriate action to take in a given situation. While much of this work is performed independently and without the immediate presence of a supervisor, incumbents are required to draw upon their extensive training and the department procedural guidelines, mandates, and laws governing an officer's response and conduct when determining the appropriate action to take in a particular situation. Officers are subject to call back at most times. Officers may respond to situations outside of Fargo and across state lines when called in for mutual aid.
Special Assignment: Police Recruit
This position is an entry-level, non-sworn position in the Police Department. The Police Recruit participates in the Fargo Police Academy and is expected to successfully complete the Academy as prescribed by the North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board. Upon successful completion of the academy, the candidate will become a sworn Police Officer.
Special Assignment Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Successfully graduate from the Fargo Police Academy

• Meet all the academic and physical training programs mandated by North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board

• Learns basic principles of patrol procedures and criminal investigation

• Participates in firearm training and defensive tactics

• Drives a variety of police vehicles under various training conditions

Special Assignment Minimum Qualifications:
The job requires a minimum of fifty semester hours or seventy five quarter credits of post-high school education at an accredited college, university, or technical school to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Trainee must have the required 60 semester hours or ninety quarter credits by the end of the Academy. Requires passing pre-employment assessments and tests. The Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) must be successfully completed by the completion of the Police Academy. A valid State of North Dakota peace officer license must be acquired upon completion of the police academy or as determined by the department and a valid driver’s license is also required.
Assignment to this entry-level non-sworn position is temporary. Failure to complete the police academy and all the required assessments will result in termination from City of Fargo employment.
Special Assignment Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
All the physical demands and working conditions of a patrol officer apply within this assignment.

Primary Responsibilities 

Scope of Responsibility:
The Police Officer works under general supervision of a Sergeant, who is often not immediately present during events but is typically available by electronic communications media. Work involves taking action in situations where a quick response is needed and there can be considerable risk of harm to persons or property and considerable liability. Responsible for all equipment issued, in accordance with Police Department policy and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

A Police Officer may be assigned to the SWAT Team or the Police Training Officer (PTO) Program.

1. Assigned to a designated area of the City to enforce all laws and regulations, to provide security, to detect violators, and to develop positive relationships with residents, businesses, schools, and students in assigned neighborhoods. Coordinates the services of different governmental and private agencies to resolve identified problems.
   1. Discourages violations by being visible and present in the community;
   2. Observes unusual activity; attempts to intervene in situations to prevent violations;
   3. Issues warnings or citations for violations both criminal and non-criminal;
   4. Detains and conducts interviews and arrests of persons violating the law as indicated by the nature of the offense and as guided by policy and circumstances;
   5. Enforces traffic laws;
      1. Operates radar or other speed measuring devices;
      2. Administers tests and transports intoxicated persons to jail or a detox facility or a designated facility where blood tests can be obtained;
      3. Observes drivers and vehicles and intervenes as necessary to correct illegal or unsafe conditions.
   6. Conducts periodic security checks of businesses and other facilities.
       
2. Receives, prioritizes and responds to non-emergency calls.
   1. Responds to complaints, accidents, disturbances and/or requests for police assistance;
   2. Assesses each situation and determines the most appropriate response in order to prevent potentially dangerous or violent situations from occurring or continuing.
       
3. Responds to emergency situations such as accidents, medical emergencies, fire scenes and other emergencies, and performs various other tasks to secure the scene and assist other emergency personnel.
   1. Provides first aid to injured persons, as necessary, until medical personnel are available;
   2. Handles crowd control, directs traffic, clears access routes, escorts emergency vehicles, contacts tow trucks, etc.;
   3. Preserves and/or collects evidence as indicated by the circumstances.
       
4. Conducts detailed investigations of criminal activities and public safety incidents.
   1. Secures crime scene;
   2. Gathers, secures, documents, and analyzes evidence; maintains chain-of-custody;
   3. Interviews witnesses and victims and records pertinent information;
   4. Provides input and documentation to other investigators as needed;
   5. Analyzes problems, researches solutions;
   6. Coordinates investigative information with others both inside and outside the department.
       
5. Participates as a team member with officers, supervisors and citizens to identify and prioritize problems, develop and implement solutions, and evaluate results. Organizes resources within the community, the police department and other agencies to reduce crime and meet the appropriate needs of the community. Works toward building partnerships with citizens, service providers, other agencies, etc.
   1. Develops and conducts crime prevention activities in assigned neighborhood;
   2. Serves as a resource to organizations, committees and groups that affect neighborhood issues;
   3. Conducts presentations on topics identified as concerns or problems to neighborhood and civic groups;
   4. Researches and develops materials for preparing literature, citizen training programs, in-service training programs, and other educational information.
       
6. Maintains records of activities and prepares reports to provide information to investigators and/or prosecutors.
   1. Completes reports of accidents, injuries and property damage losses;
   2. Submits reports for supervisor's review. 
       
7. Testifies in court proceedings to present evidence and to give personal account of incident/crime as needed.
   1. Consults with prosecuting attorneys and investigators regarding cases;
   2. Prepares necessary reports, logs, and other documents as required. 
       
8. Maintains firearms and other equipment issued.
    
9. Attends all required training classes and completes testing, certifications as required.
    
10. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
    1. Knows and follows department and city policies as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
    2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
    3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner. 
        
11. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
    1. Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
    2. Successfully negotiates between parties to achieve a work related objective. 
        
12. Performs other duties, activities, and/or special assignments as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications 

The job requires sixty semester or ninety quarter credits of post-high school education at an accredited college, university, or technical school to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Applicants are subject to a background investigation, credit check, and a personal history questionnaire screening.  Upon a conditional offer, the candidate will be required to complete a BCI background check, polygraph, psychological exam, pre-placement evaluation, and drug screening.
A valid State of North Dakota peace officer license must be acquired upon hire or as determined by the department and a valid driver's license is also required.

Physical Demands

Heavy Work: Incumbents must be able to climb ladders, walk or run on uneven surfaces, drag up to 185 pounds for a distance of 50 feet. Occasional lifting, pushing or pulling of up to 100 pounds, frequent lifting, pushing or pulling of up to 50 pounds and regular moving of objects up to 20 pounds is required.
Must be able to meet the physical demands/requirements of North Dakota Peace Officer Training Board (P.O.S.T.) in order to qualify for and maintain status as a licensed peace officer.
Incumbents must be able to perform the following physical demands: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing.
Most of the time is spent in the field on patrol. Incumbent is required to carry a firearm, take appropriate safety precautions and wear protective body armor. Incumbent spends a large portion of each day in a patrol vehicle, frequently exiting and entering vehicle.
While on patrol or at crime scenes, incumbent may have exposure to injury, trauma, angry or violent individuals, animal bites, blood-borne and air-borne pathogens, traffic accidents, visual and emotional trauma, toxic chemicals, and adverse road and weather conditions.

While on patrol, continual attention to detail in monitoring surroundings is required. Attention to detail and deadlines is required in completing reports and paperwork.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.