Deputy Sheriff

Regularly conducts proactive and reactive patrol of County roads and other designated areas, maintaining high visibility and ensuring security of residences, businesses, and construction sites. Investigates and reports all suspicious or unlawful activities and performs necessary actions to enforce laws.

Monitors radio and other communication devices and responds to alarms and citizen calls of distress and complaints of alleged unlawful activity, including assessing and bringing situations under control, taking statements from victims and witnesses, calming emotionally distraught persons, mediating disputes, providing assistance, and ensuring lawful apprehension and arrest of criminal offenders.

Responds to civil disturbances/concerns, such as loose, injured, or loud animals, and vehicle lockouts.

Stops drivers of vehicles for traffic violations, verifying licenses and registration data, effecting breath tests as necessary, advising drivers of safe driving practices, issuing warnings/citations, and/or arresting drivers as warranted.

Responds to and investigates traffic accidents, including assessing extent of personal injuries, calling for emergency medical assistance, photographing, videotaping, and measuring accident scenes, taking statements from victims and witnesses, directing removal of damaged vehicles, and ensuring area is clear. Assists with extracting, providing emergency medical care, and lifting victims onto stretchers and into medical vehicles as needed.

Directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic when congestion occurs or as assigned.

Pursues, apprehends, searches, and arrests suspects, using only necessary physical force, advising them of rights, and transporting to detention area. Prevents individuals from injuring themselves or others by using physical restraint or appropriate weapons.

Performs booking procedures of detained individuals by obtaining background information, searching individuals and their property and accounting for the detainee's personal belongings.

Participates in formal investigation of crimes by securing/protecting and searching crime scenes, collecting, preserving, and protecting evidence according to prescribed procedures, locating and interviewing victims and witnesses, interrogating suspects, and conducting neighborhood checks. Searches persons and property with and without a warrant in accordance with the law.

Retrieves information using IDACS/NCIC. Enters data on computer, prepares various documents, and submits all required reports according to department deadlines.

Maintains appearance and serviceability of all issued and/or required police vehicles, uniforms, equipment, and weapons, according to department standards. Maintains physical fitness according to department standards.

May serve on or coordinate specialized law enforcement teams, such as K-9, honor guard, Patrol, Crash Investigation Team, Tactical K9 Tracking team and/or may be given special assignments, such as public speaking, DARE instructor, firearms armorer, gang and/or community liaison, or providing police escort. May serve on special boards/committees, such as Use of Force Review Board.

May periodically transport individuals detained by the County to/from appropriate courts, detention, or medical facilities, and may periodically transport persons to mental health facilities.

May periodically serve various legal documents, including summonses, court orders to appear and notices of hearings, and returns documents to appropriate officials/courts. Periodically testifies in court as required.

May periodically serve as officer in charge of shift in absence of immediate supervisor, as assigned.

Participates in and may instruct training programs for certification in specialized law enforcement areas as assigned or required.

May perform voluntary technical assignments including but not limited to: Firearms Instructor, Accident Investigator, Field Training Officer, Certified Chemical Test Operator, Drug Recognition Expert, D.A.R.E. Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, E.V.O.C. Instructor, Weapons Armorer.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

High school diploma or GED and certification or ability to be certified by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy within time period specified by department. Must be at least 21 years of age.

Ability to meet all departmental hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Ability to legally carry a handgun, and obtain a passing score in the handgun, rifle, and shotgun Course of Fire, as may be required by Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board standards and agency required.

Ability to maintain all law enforcement certifications required by the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of customary practices and procedures of the department, and civil, criminal, and juvenile justice systems. Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Thorough knowledge of community geography, and radio frequencies, codes, procedures, and limitations.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to research and enforce federal, state, and local laws, perform standardized patrol operations, and take authoritative action as needed.

Working knowledge of and ability to properly use and maintain all assigned uniforms, equipment, and weapons, including, but not limited to, computer, printer, copier, audio and video recorders, 35mm and digital cameras, intercom, tear gas/mace, binoculars, baton, breath test instrument, fingerprint equipment, doppler and laser radar, automatic defibrillator, drug identification kit, fire extinguisher, measuring/roller tapes, overhead projector, cellular phone, hand cuffs, hand gun, rifle, shotgun and electronic control device (ECD).

Working knowledge of standard practices and procedures in first responder and CPR. Working knowledge of universal health precautions and blood borne pathogens control, and ability to apply such knowledge in the field to protect oneself from infection.

Working knowledge of photography and taking latent prints, and ability to appropriately receive, maintain and account for articles received in evidence.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to enter data on computer, and effectively prepare department forms/reports within deadlines.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.

Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position.

Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations, de-escalate volatile situations by means of conversation/negotiation, and effect forceful arrest using appropriate physical force as situations demand.

Ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate with co-workers, law offenders, inmates, other law enforcement and emergency personnel, crime and accident victims and witnesses, and the public, by radio, telephone, in person, and in writing, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Ability to adapt to changing weather conditions, work environments, irregular and/or extended hours, and perform duties despite the stress of potential personal injuries and loss of life. Ability to serve on 24-hour call and appropriately respond to emergencies from off-duty status.

Ability to obey all written and oral orders and directives from the Sheriff and superior officers, and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.

Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum direct supervision, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.

As a result of the duties associated with this job, there is the potential of becoming exposed to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious diseases. To safeguard employees and eliminate the liability placed on Hamilton County, employees working in this position shall begin the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination and subsequent training within 10 days of their initial job assignment per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(2)(i). The initial and two subsequent vaccinations shall be administered by the Hamilton County Health Department and free of charge to the employee. If the employee has previously received the three shot Hepatitis B vaccination, official documentation must be provided to the supervisor identifying the dates in which each shot was appropriately administered. A Temporary Medical Declination may be made for a period of up to six months. A Declination form must be completed, outlining the medical reasons for the temporary declination, and forwarded to the Safety & Risk Manager. Employees temporarily declining the vaccine are prohibited from performing any duties in which they may be exposed to a blood borne pathogen or other potentially infectious disease until they are able to begin/continue the series of vaccinations. Failure to comply will result in termination of employment.

As a condition of employment, all employees of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are expected to comply with the agency's Drug Free Workplace Policy. Therefore, employees working in this position must follow all County policies and procedures with respect to drug and alcohol testing. The policy requires random drug testing and the disclosure of certain drug prescriptions that are labeled as possibly affecting or impairing judgment, coordination, or other senses, (including dizziness or drowsiness), or which may adversely affect the employee's ability to perform work in a safe and productive manner.

Ability to regularly work evening, extended, irregular, and weekend hours.

Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs according to established department policies and procedures, making independent decisions and taking authoritative action in response to situational demands. Errors in decisions or work may not be readily detected by supervisory review, and may result in adverse effects upon department operations, inconvenience to members of the public, and/or endangerment to self and/or others.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, law offenders, inmates, other law enforcement and emergency personnel, crime and accident victims and witnesses, and members of the public for a variety of purposes, including exchanging and explaining information, comforting persons, mediating disputes, and enforcing laws. Incumbent's work frequently involves non-routine problem-solving to gain cooperation of law offenders in situations that may jeopardize the safety of the public and/or incumbent.

Incumbent reports directly to assigned shift supervisor.

IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in an office environment and in the field, often in a vehicle, involving sitting/driving and/or standing/walking for long periods, bending, reaching, crouching/kneeling, climbing stairs, close and far vision, hearing sounds/communication, handling/grasping/fingering objects, keyboarding, speaking clearly, and exposure to normal hazards associated with law enforcement, such as adverse weather conditions, traffic, blood borne pathogens, communicable diseases, violent/hostile persons, and armed criminals.

No prolonged, extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties, but incumbent may exert strenuous physical effort during emergency situations, such as pursuing suspects by driving a vehicle at high speed, running, forcing entry, scaling walls, jumping fences, apprehending/subduing offenders, pushing cars from roadway, and assisting with lifting/carrying persons weighing more than 100 pounds.