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POLICE OFFICER

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Department: Police Reports to: Lt. /Sergeant

Summary: Under basic supervision, provides professional, responsive, and courteous police services for the Odessa Police Department (OPD); responds to calls for service, enforces laws and ordinances, prevents crime, and maintains peace and public order in the community; basic duties include patrol, interventions, investigations, surveillance, traffic regulation; may act as trainer, team leader, and technical specialist in area of expertise.

Essential Functions: Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Enforces state and federal laws, and City regulations; identifies, prevents, and terminates unlawful activities using experience and technical training; performs work according to OPD policies to preserve the peace, solve problems, and provide the highest quality police services; duties will vary according to job assignment.

• Performs duties of Police Officer and assists OPD officers in the performance of their duties; may act as a team leader, training officer or technical specialist; participates in complex crime prevention, investigation, intervention and enforcement activities.

• Patrols the City, looking for unusual and suspicious activities and persons; recognizes criminal activities and suspects, and uses reasonable cause to stop vehicles and initiate contact with persons of interest.

• Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; investigates, documents, and resolves citizen complaints, traffic incidents, crimes, and dangerous and illegal activities; interrogates and communicates with victims, witnesses, and suspects in cases; provides scene security for emergency services personnel.

• Responds to citizens' requests for assistance, enforces traffic regulations and safety issues, apprehends violators, and assures public safety; applies laws and regulations fairly and consistently.

• Investigates crimes and accidents; secures and processes crime and accident scenes and identifies and collects evidence; arrests law violators; transports and processes suspects, victims, and prisoners.

• Provides community-oriented police services and improves the quality of life in partnership with the community; works with citizens to address the issues of safety, crime, crime prevention, and neighborhood problems; assures citizens are treated with courtesy and respect for individual liberties.

• Preserves the peace of the community through mediation, investigation, intervention, assistance, and arrest; utilizes all lawful means to improve the quality of life by recognizing and resolving problems.

• Completes detailed reports and required paperwork; testifies in court as directed.

• Maintains OPD vehicle and equipment according to Department standards.

• Assists and coordinates with other emergency services personnel, regional organizations and businesses, and federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations.

• Performs specialized functions in areas of expertise, including training, SWAT, Tactical Flight, and other special enforcement, assessment, surveillance, intervention, and investigative teams.

• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the Odessa Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.

• Supports the departmental operations with regular and timely attendance.

• Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines: High School Diploma or GED required; AND successful completion of Police Academy training. Knowledge of:

• City, county, state, and federal civil and criminal laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances.

• Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a Police Officer.

• Texas criminal justice and court systems, and the principles of criminal justice records management.

• Basic law enforcement methods and procedures, including case laws governing arrest, rules of evidence, probable cause, use of force, custody of evidence and property, and search and seizure.

• Basic law enforcement management principles, practices, and trends.

• Investigative and interrogative procedures, and protocols for observation of critical details.

• Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.

• Geography, roads, and landmarks of City and surrounding areas.

Skill in:

• Interpreting laws and regulations, making decisions, maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions and emergency situations.

• Effectively managing situations requiring diplomacy, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment.

• Exercising controlled discretion and mediating difficult situations.

• Remaining alert at all times and reacting quickly and calmly in emergency situations.

• Interpreting and applying criminal laws to information, evidence, and other data compiled.

• The care, maintenance, and safe operation of a variety of firearms, impact weapons, chemical agents, and other law enforcement tools and equipment.

• Communicating with violators, recognizing suspicious behavior patterns, mediating difficult situations, and using effective arrest and control techniques.

• Investigating crime scenes, and recognizing evidence and causes of crime, death, and accidents.

• Working as a team member with other law enforcement and multi-jurisdictional agencies.

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, and representatives from other regional agencies.

• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.

• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

License and Certification Requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required. Basic Peace Officers License and certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is required. Depending on the needs of the City, additional technical training and certifications may be required.

Other Requirements:

• Be a citizen of the United States.

• Be at least 21 years of age.

• Has the ability to fluently read, write, and speak English language.

• Not be currently on court ordered community service or probation for any criminal offense.

• Not have been convicted of, or placed on deferred adjudication or pretrial diversion for a misdemeanor of the classification "Class B", or its equivalent, within the last ten (10) years in any state or federal court.

• Not have been convicted of, or placed on deferred adjudication or pretrial diversion for intoxication offenses as defined by the Texas Penal Code, Title 10, Chapter 49, Section 49.04, 49.05 and 49.06 within the last ten (10) years.

• Not have been convicted at any time of a felony offense, or its equivalent, "Class A" misdemeanor, or its equivalent in any county, state or federal court.

• Not have been convicted at any time of an offense of family violence.

• Not have any criminal charges pending.

• Not have excessive traffic tickets or accidents.

• Be of good moral character.

• Have been honorably discharged from any and all military service or provide proof of acceptable military re-enlistment eligibility if prior service is uncharacterized.

• Not have had a license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement revoked.

• Must successfully complete an oral interview board, ½ mile run in 5 minutes or less, entry level test, agility test, TABE9 Reading Comprehension test, background investigation, polygraph, medical physical, drug screen, vision and psychological examination.

• Must submit the following additional documentation: Birth certificate, high school diploma or GED, high school transcripts, college transcripts, any college degree, DD-214 (if applicable), driver's license, social security card, current & valid vehicle liability insurance card listing the applicant specifically as an insured driver, or other documents as requested for confirmation of details in application packet.

Physical demands and working environment: Work is performed in a standard office environment, and in the field on patrol; may be exposed to physical attacks, hazardous chemicals, infectious and communicable diseases; required to physically restrain persons; must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet OPD standards. This job requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required use hands to operate equipment, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.