Detention Officer Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for maintaining law and order and protecting property in the City. The incumbent may be assigned to a specialty area within the department based on needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Receives and responds to dispatched calls; investigates crime by gathering information from suspects, victims and witnesses; takes appropriate action.
• Obtains arrest warrants as necessary.
• Maintains and operates all assigned equipment.
• Conducts security checks of businesses, parks, public buildings, and residences.
• Issues citations and/or makes arrest for violations of laws including traffic violations and local ordinances.
• Prepares incident and accident reports.
• Attends court and testifies about cases investigated or written reports.
• Assists with crowd control and security assignments at public gathering or incident scenes.
• Provides assistance to the public as needed; provides information and guidance regarding victims’ rights; assess victims; renders aid to injured prior to EMS arrival.
• Attends and participates in daily roll call including inspection and training prior to going on duty.
• Participates in training programs to improve knowledge and skills; may serve as Field Training Officer.
• Conducts inquiries on state and national crime information networks for outstanding warrants, license status, vehicle registrations, administrative messages, etc.
• Reports hazards on roadways within City limits.
• Protects the property and civil rights of persons placed in custody.
• Collects and preserves evidence from crime scenes including fingerprinting, collecting blood samples, photographing crime scenes, etc.
• Transport City revenue from City Hall to designated financial institutions.
• Participates in community-oriented policing programs such as the Citizens Police Academy, C.O.P.S, and related activities; meets with neighborhood residents; gives presentations and responds to questions and concerns; educates citizens on how to protect themselves from criminal activity.
• Serves as court bailiff as needed.
• Provides security for special events.
• Responds to traffic complaints such as speeding, running red lights, running stop signs, obstructing an intersection, etc., from citizens.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associate degree preferred.
• Or equivalent education, and/or experience.
• US citizen; at least 21 years of age.
• Must be certified as a peace officer with the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
• Successful  completion  of  the  pre-employment  process  which includes  oral  interview,  background  check,  criminal  records  and  traffic  history  check,  medical and  drug  screening,  polygraph  evaluation,  and/or  voice  stress; and
• Valid  State  of  Georgia  Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge  of  law enforcement  concepts  and  terminology,  including  criminal  investigation, law enforcement and crime prevention; first-aid principles and techniques; report preparation and  record  keeping;  and  human  behavior  theories  related to  criminology,  crisis  intervention and crowd control.
• Knowledge of laws and court decisions pertaining to law enforcement, including search and seizure, suspects’ and prisoners’ rights, and custody and protection of  evidence; operational principles  and  practices  of  criminal  investigation,  law  enforcement  and  crime  prevention; court and trial procedures.
• Knowledge of the use and effects of law enforcement weapons; methods of self-defense and physical restraint.
• Knowledge  of  the  Police  Department’s  policies  and  procedures;  geographic  layout  of  City; vocabulary   of   technical/specialized   fields   of   law   enforcement   such   as   identification, detention and pathology.
• Skill in learning, interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws and regulations; reading and interpreting documents such as maps and diagrams.
• Skill in performing accurate mathematical calculations; comprehending and retaining factual information and applying what is learned.
• Skill  in  observing  and  remembering  details  of  events,  names,  faces,  numbers  and  physical descriptions; preparing and maintaining clear, accurate and concise reports and files.
• Skill  in  communicating  effectively  in  both  verbal  and  written  form;  exercising  tact,  self-restraint,  judgment  and  strategy  in  dealing  with  people  of  all  races,  ethnicities  and  socio-economic groups and who may have emotional or physical difficulties.
• Skill   in   exercising   sound   independent   judgment   in  emergency  or stressful  situations; correctly  interpreting  a  given  situation  and  taking  appropriate  action  under  a  variety  of conditions.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to operate the computer and various programs.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability  to  gather,  assemble,  analyze  and  evaluate  facts  and  evidence  and  to  draw  sound conclusions; working ability to obtain valid information by interview and interrogation.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, varying hours and be on call.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Visual acuity in both eyes, normal color vision; hear in-person, radio and telephone conversations; recognizes differences or changes in sound patterns, loudness or pitch; speak audibly and clearly; identify and distinguish smells of different materials; sit or stand for prolonged periods, walk, run, stoop, kneel, crawl and crouch; make precise and coordinated finger, hand and limb movement; maintain uniform, controlled hand-arm posture or movement; push, pull or drag an adult (averaging 160 pounds); lift and carry all sort of items (average 50 pounds), officer equipment is up to an additional 30 pounds from vest and duty belt; use force to restrain/subdue others; work efficiently for long periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed either in an office environment or in a variety of field and office settings and may require exposure to dangerous and life-threatening situations.  Must be willing to carry a firearm; mentally and physically capable of taking the life of another, if justified; willing to work any hour of the day or night (shift work), overtime, weekends on call and holidays; work at any location in the City and travel in specific assignments.

The City has the right to revise this position description at any time and does not represent in any way a contract of employment.