Police Officer- Lateral

Salary : $66,788.80 - $109,449.60 Annually
Location : Gahanna, OH
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 20240201
Department: PD Chief Administration
Opening Date: 02/01/2024
Closing Date: 12/31/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 20
Job Summary
The Gahanna Division of Police is now seeking applications for lateral Police Officer positions. Applications will be accepted all year. For information on the hiring process, including a timeline for hire, visit
Lateral Police Officer Candidate Requirements: Full-time Police Officers with arrest powers, certified in any state within the United States, with no break in service for two (2) years at the time of application, may apply for a lateral appointment without taking the civil service examination outlined in Rule 13. Such candidates recently laid off or placed in a part-time or reserve position after having worked in a full-time position for two (2) consecutive years, may still apply for a lateral appointment, providing the candidate holds an active Police Officer certification. Lateral candidates must meet the criteria outlined in Section 13.01 and 13.09. Lateral candidates must be approved by the Director of Public Safety.
The position of Police Officer is under the general supervision of the Fields Services Bureau Lieutenant and under the direct supervision of a Sergeant. The individual assuming this position will be responsible for providing a highly visible, professional police presence while conducting patrol activities in a specified geographical area. Answers calls when a crime is suspected or an emergency exists; takes such actions as necessary to prevent crime and/or to apprehend a criminal; to maintain safety and to assist citizens in a wide range of emergency and non-emergency situations. Takes proper enforcement action as necessary and required to maintain the order, safety and general welfare of the city of Gahanna utilizing the United States Constitution, the Ohio Revised Code and Gahanna Codified Ordinances. Initiates reports, affects arrests, processes prisoners, conducts investigations in cooperation with detectives, shares intelligence information, and coordinates police resources; observes and identifies potential problem areas within the community.
Essential Job Functions

• Conduct routine patrol activities within assigned areas of the city.
• Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws and promoting good community relations.
• Identify and monitor areas where criminal activities or public nuisances are occurring or are likely to occur.
• Utilize an understanding of streets, businesses and significant locations within the city.
• Evaluate complaint and emergency request information to determine response requirements.
• Interact with members of the community.
• Mediate domestic and other disputes.
• Identify, pursue and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts; use physical force when necessary to control and arrest law violators.
• Use automated systems to perform computer checks of persons, vehicles, locations and property utilizing mobile computing devices.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely under various conditions, in severe weather, in an emergency response/pursuit status and other stressful situations.
• Effectively utilize and verbally communicate via police radio during routine and high stress events.
• Record facts and prepare detailed and accurate reports, criminal complaints, crash reports, forms, memorandums, and other documents as required.

**Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required
Minimum Qualifications
Lateral Police Officer Candidate Requirements:
Full-time Police Officers with arrest powers, certified in any state within the United States, with no break in service for two (2) years at the time of application, may apply for a lateral appointment without taking the civil service examination outlined in Rule 13. Such candidates recently laid off or placed in a part-time or reserve position after having worked in a full-time position for two (2) consecutive years, may still apply for a lateral appointment, providing the candidate holds an active Police Officer certification. Lateral candidates must meet the criteria outlined in Section 13.01 and 13.09. Lateral candidates must be approved by the Director of Public Safety.
Education and Experience:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Minimum of 21 years of age at time of original appointment not to exceed 40 years of age at time of original appointment (Gahanna Code 139.04).
• Must be a United States citizen.
• The location of an officer's residence must be such that if an officer is contacted and called back to duty in an emergency, the officer can report to the station, ready for duty, within sixty minutes of being contacted. New officers must meet this requirement within six months of appointment.
• Visual acuity - both eyes must have corrected vision of 20/30.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Current and valid Ohio Driver's License with an acceptable driver's abstract in order to meet criteria for insurability established by the City of Gahanna.
• Ohio Police Officer Training Academy certificate or the ability to attend and successfully complete a residential police academy as required for appointment.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of government structure and process.
• Knowledge of state law and local ordinances, police policy and procedures, and agency rules.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Detailed knowledge of the City of Gahanna, its roadways, residential, business, industrial, and recreational areas, or ability to acquire this knowledge rapidly.

Skill in:

• Proficiency in word processing/typing.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Communicating orally and in writing with internal staff, citizens.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Ability to: (Mental and Physical)

• Maneuver and work in a variety of ground conditions.
• Identify and analyze problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and make sound judgments.
• Move quickly and forcefully in response to unexpected situations.
• Operate patrol vehicles routinely and in an emergency mode.
• Get into and out of police vehicles on a frequent basis.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a variety of people including co-workers, other professionals, appointed and elected officials, and the general public.
• Render credible testimony in court.
• Apprehend suspects.
• Work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action.
• Think clearly and make logical decisions in stressful situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, city officials, and community members.
• Perform the essential functions of the position.
• Work alone.

Job Location:

• Various locations within and outside the City of Gahanna.
• Varying time both inside (including time spent in a police vehicle) and outside.
• Inside work: protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

Working Conditions:

• Occasionally exposed to hazards of risk of bodily injury/volatile situations and imminent danger when performing the essential functions of the job; occasionally exposed to heat and cold extremes and temperature changes; occasional exposure to loud noises; frequently exposed to moderate noises such as emergency sirens and roadway/traffic noise. Occasionally exposed to persons who have contagious diseases/illnesses; seldom exposed to vibration, toxic conditions, odors, dust, and poor ventilation.

Important Job Functions

• Provide support and assistance to other peace officers, whether local, state, or federal personnel of the criminal justice system and employees of other communities and agencies.
• Document facts necessary to provide for appropriate responses by non-police resources as necessary to maintain public order and safety.
• Present evidence in legal proceedings, testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases and in civil proceedings as required.
• Conduct investigation activities of criminal and noncriminal events.
• Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal acts or statute violations were involved. Interview witnesses, complainants and suspects and document their statements in written reports or detailed formal statements.
• Conduct lawful searches of persons, vehicles and places.
• Conduct the preliminary investigation of criminal acts as necessary to substantiate crimes and preserve evidence of any crime.
• Respond to situations where deadly force may be threatened or used and to use deadly force when authorized and necessary to protect or preserve life.
• Perform as a rescuer under adverse and difficult conditions.
• Provide for persons held in custody, transport prisoners to and from jail and court. Control and restrain unruly persons held in custody.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

The City of Gahanna offers comprehensive benefit packages including health insurance, prescription drug insurance, employer-paid dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account contributions, life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, retirement benefits, deferred compensation programs, and an Employee Assistance Program. The City also offers vacation, personal time, sick leave, paid holidays, flex time, and public service credit (when applicable). In addition, the City also offers college tuition reimbursement, employer-paid professional development, and an annual service credit. *Subject to change with collective bargaining agreement and/or salary ordinance changes.
01
Do you meet the following requirements for lateral Police Officer?Full-time Police Officers with arrest powers, certified in any state within the United States, with no break in service for two (2) years at the time of application.Such candidates recently laid off or placed in a part-time or reserve position after having worked a full-time position for two (2) consecutive years, may still apply for a lateral appointment, providing the candidate holds an active Police Officer certification.

• Yes
• No

02
This position is eligible for a military service credit of two (2) points, which will be added to a passing examination score. If you would like to request military service credit, proof of an honorable discharge or being in good standing must be received on or before the close of the job posting. An example of an acceptable document would include a DD-214 form or equivalent, current earnings and leave statement, or an official letter from the candidate's commander officer. All candidates must acknowledge this information even if not requesting military service credit. Place initials in the box below.
Required Question