Reserve Police Officer

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

• Performs responsible police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances
• Performs related duties as required

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

• A Reserve Police Officer's work involves patrolling of assigned areas, accident and crime scene investigations, collection and preservation of physical evidence, follow-up investigations, and special assignments for the purpose of the prevention of crime, apprehension of offenders, and enforcement of laws and ordinances
• A Reserve Police Officer must be able to act without direct supervision using independent judgment and discretion in meeting emergency and non-emergency situations
• Duties are performed in accordance with law and departmental directives
• Work involves extensive public contacts and situations of personal danger
• Work is performed under the supervision of the Special Operations Bureau Captain or an On-Duty Field Operation Supervisor

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.

• Effect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints
• subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in self-defense
• Prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations
• Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree
• Operate a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night in emergency situations involving speeds more than posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow
• Communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications
• Gather information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers
• Pursue fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicles lifting, carrying, and dragging heavy objects climbing over and pulling up oneself over obstacles jumping down from elevated surfaces climbing through openings jumping over obstacles, ditches, and streams crawling in confined areas balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers
• Load, unload, aim and fire from a variety of body positions handguns, and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards
• Perform searches of people, vehicles, building and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people, and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons
• Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time
• Engage in law enforcement patrol functions that include such things as working rotating shifts, walking on foot patrol, and physically checking doors and windows of buildings to ensure they are secure
• Effectively communicate with people, including juveniles, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes, and advising of rights and processes
• Demonstrate communication skills in court and other formal settings
• Detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions and that indicate the presence of dangerous conditions
• Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile view and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging, and carrying people away from dangerous situations and securing and evacuating people from particular areas
• Process and transport prisoners and committed mental patients using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints
• Put on and operate a gas mask in situations where chemical munitions are being deployed
• Extinguish small fires by using a fire extinguisher and other appropriate means
• Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits, and warrants
• Process arrested suspects to include taking their photographs and obtaining legible inked fingerprint impressions position

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge or the ability to acquire during a reasonable period of training, knowledge of modern police practices and methods, applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances, particularly the laws of arrest, search and investigation
• Knowledge of the geography of the City of Kannapolis, to include transportation routes, major buildings, and residential areas
• Rules and directions of the Police Department and reporting procedures
• Ability to deal firmly and courteously with the public
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper course of action to be taken
• Ability to react quickly and calmly during emergency situations
• Ability to obtain information through interviews and interrogations
• Ability to write and speak effectively
• Basic keyboarding skills and knowledge of MS Windows operating system and MS Office software applications
• Skill or the ability to develop skill during a reasonable period of training in the use and care of issued firearms
• Ability to exercise good judgment and emotional maturity under stressful conditions
• Ability to recognize potentially dangerous situations
• Ability to work long hours on rotating shifts, with occasional overtime as required
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Must be a high school graduate or have passed the General Equivalency Development Test indicating high school equivalency
• A degree in criminal justice or closely related field from an accredited college or university is preferred
• Graduation from Basic Law Enforcement Training or prior law enforcement experience is preferred

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT

• Successful completion of a course in Basic Law Enforcement Training approved by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, as well as successful completion of departmental field training under the direction of a certified law enforcement Field Training Officer
• Must be 20 years or older at the time of employment
• Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license
• Must be a United States citizen and able to fluently read, write, and speak the English language
• Must meet all minimum standards for law enforcement employment and be able to acquire and maintain valid law enforcement certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Division

JOB RELATED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job and are not all-inclusive
• This position requires the employee to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and less force frequently
• Physical activity related to this position may include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions
• Sufficient visual acuity is required to prepare and analyze data and figures, operate a computer terminal, visually inspect, and detect small defects in equipment, use measuring devices, and do extensive reading
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• This employee is subject to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions throughout the year and may be required to wear a respirator
• An employee in this position could be "reasonably anticipated" because of performing their duties, to face contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials

NOTE

• Successful applicants must be able to perform ALL the above functions, unassisted and at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job requirements
• Successful applicants must pass a thorough background investigation, qualifications appraisal interview, drug screen, medical history and examination, psychological assessment, physical ability assessment, and polygraph examination
• Since law enforcement officers are required to enforce the law and may be exposed to certain temptations to show favoritism, corruption, or unlawful monetary gain, it is an occupational necessity that potential officers exhibit a history and characteristics of honesty, reliability, ability to manage personal finances, interpersonal skill, good moral character, and integrity
• Additionally, law enforcement officers are frequently placed in a position of physical and mental stress
• Therefore, a history of mental or physical disability may be grounds for denying employment in this position
• Reserve Police Officers must be mentally and physically able to competently perform all the essential job functions of this position