School Resource Officer

An individual selected for this position will be required to complete department field training prior to being assigned to the School Resource Unit.

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for providing police services to the assigned school for the purpose of maintaining public order and safety.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Patrols areas of the schools and enforces state and local laws; investigates crimes against persons and property and traffic accidents; apprehends and arrests criminals; serves warrants, subpoenas and other writs; processes bookings and photographs.
• Promotes good public relations and performs such duties as providing school security checks and emergency protection.
• Engages in Community Oriented Policing activities.
• Provides information and assistance to the public.
• Prepares and presents cases in court as needed.
• During school closure periods or when school assignments end, may work other duties including responding to emergency alarms as needed to include burglar alarms, armed robberies, assaults, domestic violence and prowler calls.
• Deescalates situations to include counseling youth, suicidal subjects, mental subjects, married persons or persons in relationships, people in crisis, persons with weapons, and homicidal subjects.
• Prosecutes cases in courtroom settings.
• Identifies mental illnesses, and acts accordingly on a case by case basis.
• Serves as a guardian to those in need such as young children, the elderly, those with mental or physical illnesses, or anyone who does not have the ability to care for themselves.
• Receives, reviews, processes, files and submits various reports and records including incident reports, supplement reports, accident reports, booking reports, witness statements, activity sheets, various forms and records, training reports and affidavits.
• Performs crime scene processing as necessary.
• Utilizes problem solving skills to meet peaceable resolutions to all parties involved in a given incident.
• Operates computers with a wide variety of applications and functions.
• Assists other law enforcement agencies as needed.
• Performs desk and dispatch duties as needed.
• Serves as back up to co-workers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or GED.
• South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy certification or another state's law enforcement training academy, B.L.E.T. or P.O.S.T. required.
• Any combination of education and experience totaling two (2) years is acceptable.
• Valid South Carolina Driver's License.
• SFST and Datamaster certifications.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of local, state and federal criminal and civil law.
• Knowledge of the procedures, guidelines and equipment used in law enforcement activities.
• Knowledge of the geographic layout of the City.
• Knowledge of controlled substances, and various chemicals which could cause hospitalization or death, if handled incorrectly.
• Skill in implementation and enforcement of polices and guidelines.
• Skill in the use of firearms and other specialized law enforcement equipment.
• Ability to successfully complete police officer certification through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
• Ability to use computers and various software programs, to include Word and Excel.
• Ability to obtain DataMaster and RADAR/LIDAR certifications.
• Ability to work under pressure, in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy and requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 50 pounds of force to move objects and the following physical abilities: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is typically performed in the field exposed to inclement weather and traffic. The work requires the use of protective devices. Employee is exposed to hostile and volatile situations and may be exposed to situations that are life-threatening.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.