Definition: Under supervision of a Police Officer II, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, or the Chief, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work.
Essential Functions: (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)
Tasks:
Patrols a designated area of the City. Enforces laws and ordinances. Protects life, property and liberty. Prevents crime and apprehends suspects. Answers calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, robberies, assaults, domestic disturbances, civil complaints and related misdemeanors and felonies. Responds to alarms. Investigates complaints. Preserves law and order. Enforces laws. Searches, inspects, transports and take custody of prisoners. May secure the scene of crime. Conducts preliminary investigations. Obtains witnesses and gathers information. Prepares detailed reports. Works with citizens to solve neighborhood concerns. Appears and testifies in court. May make presentations to citizen groups on public safety issues. Participates in and aids special programs. Performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Department. Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Other Characteristics:
- Knowledge of police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, accident investigation, and criminal investigation and identification techniques.
- Knowledge of criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the seizure and preservation of evidence.
- Knowledge of traffic law.
- Knowledge of proper police actions and responses in a variety of setting and situations.
- Knowledge of self-defense tactics.
- Knowledge of first aid principles, practices and techniques for both the ill and injured.
- Knowledge of interviewing and interrogation techniques.
- Skill in identifying potential crime situations or traffic hazards and taking preventive action.
- Skill in analyzing situations quickly and objectively to determine and take emergency action.
- Skill in testifying in court.
- Skill in writing clear, concise, and comprehensive reports.
- Skill in listening well and communicating effectively with employees and members of the public having varying education, socioeconomic status, and values.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining a positive relationship between the community and the police department to address crime and public disorder problems.
Materials and Equipment:
West Virginia State Code Wheeling City Code U.S. Constitution Automobile Computer
Standard Operating Procedures Standard Office Equipment Surveillance and Law Enforcement Tools/Equipment
Hand Weapons (gun, baton, hand cuffs, etc.)
Mental and Physical Abilities: Mental work efforts involve considerable interpretation, application and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, polices, and procedures requiring independent decisions and assuming responsibility which could have significant impact on the City’s legal and financial status and the ability to maintain composure during emergency situations. Physical requirements include the ability to restrain and subdue suspects, ability to move heavy (over 100 lbs) materials on occasion, ability to safety operate an automobile at high rates of speed, ability to walk/run on uneven or obstructed surfaces, and the ability to shoot a gun with accuracy.
Working Conditions: Work involves long periods of time patrolling designated areas of the City and observing activities to provide protective and safety services to the residents with occasional, brief periods of intense physical and mental interaction with suspects, criminals, and victims.
