Police Officer

Police Officer

Performs and provides police services to the public with a commitment to the primary goals of protection of life, property, and maintenance of order. Protects the rights of all individuals. Performs limited administrative, supervisory, and leadership duties as assigned. An employee in this class participates in crime prevention activities, the arrest, apprehension, and prosecution of offenders, recovery of stolen and missing property, assistance to the sick and injured, enforcement of noncriminal ordinances and engages citizens to build community relationships and partnerships. An employee in this class effectively manages time and prioritizes efforts. The employee utilizes discretion in selecting which of several options is the best solution to the problem at hand and handles situations appropriately through effective communication, mediation, and interpersonal skills. The employee interacts with citizens and coworkers for input and feedback to meet specific goals and objectives through effective communication, mediation, and interpersonal skills, participates in decision-making activities, and interacts with citizens and coworkers for input and feedback.

A Patrol Officer will be involved in at least the following activities: Regularly conducts patrol throughout the Town and extra-territorial jurisdiction; responds and takes appropriate action on a wide range of calls for police service. Responds to calls for service and/or assistance related to a variety of requests which may include, but are not limited to, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, loud and disruptive behavior, assaults, parking issues, and drug possession or overdose. Assist in the apprehension and arrest of law violators. Conducts initial investigations and some follow-up investigations for minor offenses. Prepares organized, detailed, and concise written documents and reports by hand and computer using proper grammar and spelling; uses the computer to search databases and perform research. Serves as backup to other officers as necessary. Investigates traffic collisions, issues citations for state and local statutes, directs traffic, and/or participates in other emergency operation activities. Performs initial investigations of reported crimes, including but not limited to, documenting observations, interviewing involved parties and witnesses, documenting/preserving/collecting physical evidence, making arrests, and presenting case findings in court. Enforces local ordinances, and state and federal laws, issues citations or warnings, serves warrants, apprehends and processes criminal suspects with transports to a magistrate and/or County detention facility, and serves civil process as required. Assists with movement of vehicular traffic when necessary for school drop-off/release, accident scenes, special events, and as needed. Operates a two-way police radio to receive information from or to report information to other police officers, supervisors, or central communications (dispatch); maintains assigned vehicle, weapons, and all other Town and Department equipment in standard working order. Performs as a community liaison to solve problems, provides assistance, and builds relationships with all persons in the community. Performs functions and specialized skills based on an assignment such as attending shift briefings, attending training on and off-site, and practicing proper methods for preservation of evidence. Appears in court for testimony, attends meetings, works on projects, and gives presentations and lectures for officers and the public. Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, local ordinances, and the policies and procedures of the Davidson Police Department. Knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment, especially as relates to community policing, problem-oriented policing, directed patrol, and conducting initial criminal investigations. Knowledge and understanding of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures. Skill in the use of firearms, other police equipment, and police tactics in the course of their duties as a police officer, including but not limited to, application of defensive tactics, collection/preservation/submission of evidence, surveillance/intelligence gathering as a uniformed officer, obtaining/executing arrest warrants, and conducting community engagement and traffic enforcement programs. Skill in public speaking and presentation, in effective writing and oral communication, in presenting effective court testimony, and in collaborative conflict resolution. Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations. Ability to prepare clear and concise incident and activity reports. Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with citizens, department staff, and town officials.