DEFINITION: Performs a range of duties related to the enforcement of Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, protection of life and property and public assistance. The Police Officer class is signified by the training and developmental aspects of obtaining and refining skills in law enforcement practices and procedures and by proficiency in handling law enforcement and public assistance and protection.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:   The following duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive: Patrols within the City on foot and in a police vehicle to enforce Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, to protect individuals and property; responds to complaints, crimes, disturbances, accidents and other related situations.
Performs preliminary investigations; may obtain physical and other evidence while protecting the crime scene, collecting statements necessary for reporting facts and circumstances of incidents, compiling information in order to charge an individual with an offense, and for follow-up detailed investigations.  Appears in court to offer testimony; meets and confers with attorneys on legal questions; arrests individuals as required.  Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, records and logs necessary to report daily activities and specific incidents. Observes and controls vehicular traffic and enforces traffic laws; attends to traffic accident situations; establishes and maintains roadblocks as necessary.  Interacts with the public in a variety of settings; e.g., provides counseling to families and individuals in disturbance situations, offers assistance to citizens and visitors including providing directions and calling for vehicular roadside assistance.  Will be required to maintain the required level of physical fitness in order to perform the duties and will be required to perform related work as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT:  The ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner both in writing and verbally is essential to this position.  Interaction with the public and co-workers is an every day occurrence and requires the ability to direct, negotiate and mediate. This position is required to handle calls for service, respond to emergencies and other incidents, arrest suspected criminals and keep the community safe and orderly.  This job requires the ability to operate a patrol car, to think clearly and make decisions quickly and accurately and to occasionally defend self or others through the use of defensive physical tactics.  The position may require the consideration of and use of lawful deadly force against another.  Work also involves responding to crime scenes and major incidents.  The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outdoor weather conditions.  The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; on slippery or uneven walking surfaces; and with explosives, and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, dust, dirt, odors, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.  Work involves a significant amount of time spent in a patrol vehicle and a high degree of exposure to hazards and danger (from traffic hazards to the danger inherent in working with career criminals and emotionally unstable persons), including exposure to contagious / infectious diseases.  Working conditions can be highly stressful.  This position also involves shift work including weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.  The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy. 

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.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; run; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The physical demands require that the employee exert in excess of 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects, including lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying.

EQUIPMENT USED: The ability to properly operate or use the following equipment is necessary for this position:  telephone, radio, pager, police records and booking computer terminals and other office equipment. Firearms, (Handgun and potentially long gun such as shotgun and/or rifle), and ammunition, car, police patrol car and emergency response equipment, police radio, first aid supplies and equipment, flares, flashlight, impact weapon, pepper mace spray, handcuffs, Intoxilyzer 5000, portable breath testing units, Colorado State Law and municipal ordinance reference books, case citation resources, all police reports and forms, report dictating equipment and all other police duty equipment.

INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION:  Work is performed within authorized limits prescribed by the supervisor and/or policy.  Exercises independent judgment in selecting and interpreting information, handling deviations from standard methods and resolving problems.  Finished work is reviewed for attainment of objectives and adherence to deadlines.  Supervisor is available to assist in solving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge - Ability to develop working knowledge of Federal, State and local statutes and ordinances;  to develop working knowledge of proper law enforcement principles, procedures and practices; develop working knowledge of first aid and medical procedures and practices; develop working knowledge of the city and surrounding areas including streets, buildings, landmarks, alleys, roads, etc.
Skills - Ability to develop skill in the use of law enforcement vehicles, firearms, related law enforcement equipment, and principles and practices of self-defense.
Abilities: - Remain calm in stressful situations; apply logical thinking in determining a proper course of action in a minimum amount of time; follow written and verbal instructions; perform a high level of sustained physical activity; to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

EVIDENCE OF QUALIFICATIONS:
Training - High School Diploma or equivalent 
Experience - Requires 30 semester hours of college completed; OR two (2) years military service having been honorably discharged; OR two (2) years experience as a sworn police officer or corrections officer in a duly constituted governmental (local, state or federal) law enforcement agency or correctional institution; OR a combination of any of the above categories that is approved by the City’s Human Resources Department. Or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:. Must be certified by Colorado POST within one (1) year of appointment license and at least 21 years of age; and  possess or be able to obtain a valid Class "R" Colorado driver's license.