Police Patrol Officer

Please visit www.gering.org to fill out an application.

The City of Gering will be conducting Civil Service Examinations to hire one full-time Police Patrol Officer. We are seeking individuals with integrity, who are committed to hard work, public service, and an effort to promote individual identity while being part of a team. Job requirements: High School graduate or G.E.D., at least 21 years of age, able to pass physical testing as required by NLETC, written exam, oral interview, extensive background check and psychological examination. Officers certified in Nebraska will be granted lateral entry upon completion of FTO program. Candidates certified in other states will be granted lateral entry upon successful completion of NLETC’s requirements for reciprocity certification and FTO. Our staff enjoys a competitive wage and benefit package with base starting hourly wage of $24.76 for entry level officers and up to $32.62 for lateral entry. City application is available online at www.gering.org, or at the Gering Police Department, 1025 P Street, Gering, NE 69341. Applications are to be returned to the Gering Police Department no later than 4:00 P.M. Friday, May 31, 2024. EEO

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation and related law enforcement activities.

Persons in this position have the responsibility for enforcing the ordinances and criminal laws of the City of Gering, State of Nebraska, and the United States of America.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Works on rotating shifts, performs security patrols of parks, residential, and commercial areas, and traffic control; including enforcement of law violations, investigation, and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation, and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.

Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.

Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies.

Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.

Responds to emergency radio calls, investigates robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc... Takes appropriate law enforcement action.

Conducts follow-up investigations of crimes reported during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victims, witnesses, and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scenes of crimes for evidence. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders. Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.

Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed; exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies and obtains advice from the City and

County Attorney or other court officials, other officers, and supervisors regarding cases, policies, and procedures, as needed and assigned.

Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities.

Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Entry Level

General:

(A) Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment.

(B) Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State driver's license.

(C) U.S. Citizen.

(D) Must be able to read and write the English language

(E) Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits (felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories are not allowed);

(F) Must pass T.A.B.E. test

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

(A) High school diploma or GED.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

➢ Some knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.

➢ Some skills in operating the tools and equipment listed below.

➢ Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations.

➢ Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition.

➢ Ability to meet State firearm qualifications with department approved firearm.

➢ Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

➢ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, and supervisors.

➢ Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

➢ Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

➢ Ability to learn the City's geography.

➢ Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

➢ Safe operation of a police patrol vehicle.

➢ Ability to use the senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch in determining illegal or dangerous objects that could be of evidentiary value, detecting environmental or man-made hazards, and detection of dangerous situations requiring immediate action while in the performance of the job.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

(A) Ability to meet Department's physical standards:

➢ Individuals in this position must have the mental capacity to accurately assess potentially dangerous situations and take immediate and appropriate action to neutralize such situations with the minimal amount of force. Rational thinking skills

and emotional stability are a must in this position because the propensity for sudden violence or life-threatening situations constantly exists within this community.

Persons who have histories of mental illness that cannot be controlled through regular medication, or emotional instability, which when evaluated by a competent board- certified psychiatrist or psychologist would signify a clear and present danger to the safety and well-being of the officer, citizens, or fellow employees, shall be excluded from employment with the Gering Police Department.

➢ In addition, individuals with chronic psychological disorders in which they compulsively commit crimes of moral turpitude, crimes against persons or property, shall be disqualified from employment with the Gering Police Department.

Psychological testing administered by the department shall be for the purpose of assessing personality traits, behaviors, attitudes, or propensity to act, when these are not symptoms of a mental disorder.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application; review of education and experience; appropriate civil service commission testing, including written and physical agility test; oral interview; background check; polygraph; psychological examination; final selection; T.A.B.E.

Lateral Entry:

(A) Must be able to meet all Entry Level requirements listed above.

(B) Must be able to pass a medical exam and the Department's physical agility test.

(C) Successful completion of State Training Center Equivalency Test within one (1) year after employment.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Includes, but not limited to: Police car, police radio, radar equipment, handgun and other weapons as required, baton, handcuffs, OC spray, intoxilyzer, preliminary breath testing equipment, camera, cell phone, personal computer and first aid equipment.

PHYSICAL

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and listen.

The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use both hands to manipulate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Individuals in this position must be capable of performing physical tasks and should be in good physical condition. Some activities that a person in this position could expect to do would be:

-Effecting arrests, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints, subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons of self-defense.

-Operate a law enforcement vehicle during both day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice, snow or other inclement weather conditions.

-Pursue fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement vehicles; lifting, carrying, and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling oneself over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.

-Load, unload, aim and fire from a variety of body positions handguns, shotguns, and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.

-Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas which may involve determining illegal or dangerous objects by feel, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes and airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.76 - $34.15 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• Holidays
• Overtime
• Rotating weekends

Application Question(s):

• Must be willing to submit to a background check.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person