POLICE OFFICER
POLICE OFFICER
Entry/Lateral
$4,466-- $5,428/mo
Recruit
$16/hr
www.sonoraca.com
Open Until Filled
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of
crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and
ordinances; makes investigations, assists in the preparation of cases, and testifies in court; serves in
specialized departmental roles as assigned; provides information and assistance to the public; performs
related work as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. No supervision of staff
is exercised.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a sworn law enforcement class that performs a range of assignments found in a municipal police
department. While incumbents are normally assigned to a specific geographic area for patrol or traffic
enforcement, all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including crime prevention, investigation,
K-9, school resources, administration, and training are included. Shift schedules and job assignments may
be changed periodically to assure the maximum delivery of effective police service. This class is
distinguished from Police Corporal in that the latter is the first lead level in this sworn class series.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different
positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential
functions of the job.
Patrols the City within an assigned area in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property,
observe situations, report suspicious, criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deter crime by
providing high visibility.
Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic
disputes, suspicious activities, animal control, and other incidents to protect public safety and property,
resolve problems, diffuses situations, and enforces laws and ordinances.
Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports
and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the
community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing
assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling
assigned divisions by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required.
Observes, monitors, and controls routine and unusual traffic situations; stops and warns drivers or issues
citations as appropriate; assists motorist with inoperable vehicles and arranges for immediate removal
vehicles; provides direction and traffic control in accident or incident situations, special
events, or other congested situations.
Makes arrests and serves warrants and subpoenas; takes individuals into custody and may transport
them for medical clearance and/or booking at a longer-term facility, as required.
Secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves
evidence; performs complete investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies
providing investigative and case development support.
Conducts comprehensive investigations into felony and high level crimes as assigned including
conducting surveillance activities and coordinating and maintaining crime scene activities.
Assists the City Attorney or the District Attorney staff in preparing, documenting, and developing cases
and gathering information; testifies in court as required.
Directs the activities of police support personnel and/or volunteers in office and field situations.
Provides emergency medical attention to the public when responding to calls for assistance and requests
appropriate medical assistance as necessary.
Provides mutual aid to other law enforcement agencies as dispatched and in accordance with
departmental policy.
Prepares and maintains reports, logs, records, and accurate files.
Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents.
Performs and/or coordinates specific program or projects, including community-oriented policing,
school liaison, project and resource development, investigations, crime prevention, and/or field
training.
Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; reviews publications and materials
to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
Oversees the use and care of equipment as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime
scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and
transportation of suspects.
Investigation and identification techniques and equipment.
Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying.
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions
relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms,
chemical agents, and impact weapons.
First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner under patrol and emergency conditions.
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Techniques for effectively dealing with individuals of various ages, various socio-economic and ethnic
groups, and effectively representing the City in contacts with the public.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public,
vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Ability to:
Observe and document accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents
and places.
Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials.
Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
Coordinate and carry out special assignments.
Monitor changes in laws and court decisions and apply them in work situations.
Enter information into a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
Make sound, independent decisions in emergency situations.
Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Operate the equipment and vehicles of the department in a safe and responsible manner.
Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and software programs.
Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal
guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the
course of work.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by specialized training in law
enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field. Equivalent to an associate degree and law enforcement
experience is desirable.
License:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
Possession of a Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards
and Training (P.O.S.T.).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a
computer; maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to
respond to emergency situations and apprehend suspects; vision to maintain firearms qualification and to
read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before
groups, and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking on uneven
terrain, and climbing and descending structures to access crime scene and to identify problems or hazards.
Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and
to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach,
and climb to perform work and inspect work sites. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push,
and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work indoors and outdoors, and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures,
inclement weather conditions, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical
hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or
public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. The
principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal
offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases