Patrol Officer

Position Summary

The principal function of a Patrol Officer is to perform daily patrols, within City limits, in order to maintain and ensure public safety.  Officers respond to calls for service, investigate crimes arrest suspected violators, investigate accidents and narcotics violations as well as to render aid to injured persons.  They are responsible for enforcing all Federal, State and Local laws for the protection of all.  They are also responsible for educating the public on civic issues.  An individual in this position will also perform work that involves a wide variety of situations that have a moderate degree of complexity due to the changing situations encountered.  Typically, the work is completed under specific and definite directions and well-known procedures.  The work requires the exercise of initiative, independent good judgment and discretion, as the Officer applies standards and procedures to routine situations.  Errors in judgment and performance may have significant impact to the City’s reputation and to the well-being of the Officer, co-workers and members of the public.  The work is typically performed outdoors and may involve exposure to adverse weather and dangerous conditions while engaged in emergency response activities.  Travel is regular, not typically extending beyond the City limits.  This position reports to the on-duty Sergeant.

Primary Responsibilities

• Performs daily patrols, via vehicle, on foot or bicycle, to identify individuals in violation of traffic control and safety as well as to monitor for potential criminal activity. Officers provide assistance as needed to those members of the public with whom they come into contact.
• Responds to calls and enforces Federal, State and Local laws as needed. Responds to a variety of crime scenes and secures the location according to adopted protocols.
• Assesses situations, determines appropriate course of action and mitigates circumstances within the proscribed policies and procedures. Officers must determine when to call for back-up as needed.  Abides by principles and regulations of safety to ensure safe conditions for the officer, other employees and members of the public.
• Appears before the District and/or Magistrate judges, as required, for court testimony as an expert witness or as related to cases wherein the Officer has necessary information. They must provide accurate testimony in such cases, as the Officer represents the credibility of the City of Blackfoot Police Department.
• Completes all required paperwork and reports as needed, in the proper documentation of activities that take place during the course of each shift. The officer is also responsible for taking special notes of unusual incidents and ensuring that supervisors are notified of same.
• Officers will perform crime prevention activities for a variety of community organizations as well as perform home and business surveys in order to assess potential dangers and to make recommendations to prevent criminal activity or to improve personal safety
• Participates in Community involvement programs, as assigned
• Maintains adequate levels of training as required by State Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) requirements.
• Coordinates and conducts detailed investigations of violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations.
• Assists ambulance or Fire crews on calls.
• Maintains, cleans, and cares for City-issued equipment and vehicles
• Individual may serve on a Specialty Team as assigned, including the Emergency Response Team, Dive Team, Canine Handler or any other specialty area.
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of legal changes pertaining to public safety policies, regulations and procedures.
• Serves on call, as needed, 24-hours a day, 7-days a well. May also be required to work extra hours on weekends and holidays, as assigned.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with Federal, State, County and City laws, policies and procedures
• Performs all other related duties as assigned

Specialized Knowledge

• Local, State and Federal laws as applicable to community law enforcement
• Methods, objectives, and procedures of law enforcement practices and court proceedings and the ability to rapidly apply that knowledge when involved in a high stress situation
• Demonstrated ability to analyze situations calmly, quickly and objectively as well as recognize actual and potential dangers and to determine the appropriate course of action
• Officer safety skills including defensive tactics, handcuffing, and firearm operations
• Standard first-aid administration
• Ability to utilize police equipment, including vehicles, speed radar units, communications units, body armor, handcuffs, firearms and other related equipment
• Crime prevention and education techniques
• Possession of State certification as a Patrol Officer who successfully completed a field training period in the state of Idaho, or any other state
• Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times

Applicants must meet the POST Physical Readiness requirements, listed below, prior to being considered for the position:

• Vertical Jump – 14 inches
• One Minute Sit-ups – 15 at minimum
• Push Ups – 21 at minimum
• 300 Meter Run – 77 seconds maximum
• 1.5 Mile Run/Walk – 17:17 maximum

Acceptable Experience, Education and Training

• High school diploma or GED equivalency required; and
• Two (2) years experience in law enforcement preferred OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work
• Current Idaho driver’s license with a good driving record
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to a wide variety of circumstances with a wide variety of individuals who possess a variety of personalities and behaviors. Ability to assess behavioral considerations and modify approach accordingly, to ensure appropriate safety and security to yourself and the public
• Ability to accurately follow oral and written instructions as well as the ability to communicate clearly and concisely
• Ability to maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers and successfully work both independently as well as in teams
• Operate standard office equipment and a personal computer including program applications appropriate to assigned duties
• Operate radio, audio and video equipment, and related specialized enforcement equipment;
• Demonstrated ability to define problems, collect date, establish facts, draw conclusions and take appropriate action as well as the ability to generate accurate reports that are grammatically correct
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner

Essential Physical Abilities

Performance of physical activities is necessary to complete the essential functions of the job, either with or without reasonable accommodations.  The position requires continual communication, both listening and speaking, and frequent standing and walking.  There is the potential for exposure to carriers of blood-borne diseases, such as HIV virus and hepatitis, explosive devices that are intended to maim or kill and the handling seized controlled substances which may be mind-altering or addictive.  Subjects encountered during investigations are frequently armed, dangerous and may be under the influence of drugs, thereby subjecting Officers to grave risk of physical harm on a frequent basis.  The position requires continuous hearing and talking, frequent use of physical activities and regular climbing, crouching, walking, balancing and crawling.  The position also requires occasional pushing, pulling, grasping, stooping, running, standing, lifting and carrying weights over 50 pounds.