Patrol Officer

Description

This position is responsible for the protection of life and property through the enforcement of local ordinances, state and federal law, and by monitoring and regulating traffic through enforcement or other means, as needed. Incumbent will be responsible for these duties in a designated area of the city. Work is usually performed under close supervision in accordance with established policies and procedures. Assignments are given by superior officer. Work is usually reviewed for adherence to standards and through reports and accomplishment of desired results.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING DUTIES. ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE CITY OF RIDGELAND AND LISTED AS SUCH IN THE INCUMBENT’S PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL ELEMENTS. VARIOUS TASKS MAY BE ASSIGNED UNDER EACH ESSENTIAL FUNCTION. THOSE THAT ARE LISTED UNDER THE EXAMPLES OF WORK ARE NOT ALL INCLUSIVE; THEY ARE EXAMPLES ONLY AND MAY BE AMENDED OR ADDED TO AS NEEDED BY THE CITY OF RIDGELAND.

1. Law Enforcement
2. Investigations
3. Public Relations

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Examples of work performed in this classification include, but are not limited to, the following tasks. These tasks may be amended or other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Respond to situations involving in-progress or recent criminal activity to restore or maintain order, secure the scene, coordinate the gathering of information and/or evidence, and completing initial reports of same.

Conducts in-depth investigations of criminal or traffic incidents either independently or as part of a coordinated effort.

Gather and report intelligence information of possible use in solving or preventing crimes.

Resolve conflicts of potentially violent nature involving a wide variety of participants.

Provide counseling, referral, and follow-up services to resolve domestic and civil crisis and assist in preventing criminality.

Patrol assigned area to provide for quick response to calls for service, facilitate observation of criminal activity or conditions conducive to criminality, and allow for the gathering of intelligence information.

Attend business and civic meetings, recreation centers, and other community gatherings as directed, to represent the Ridgeland Police Department and the City of Ridgeland, and maintain awareness of problems and concerns.

Observe/report and follow-up on conditions which pose potential threats to public safety and health.

Provide rescue and first aid services in accidents, disasters, and other emergency situations.

Assist in prosecution of violators of laws and ordinances in City Court and other levels of prosecution, preparing and presenting cases for Grand Jury.

Maintain skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the following:

(1) crime prevention
(2) criminal investigation
(3) confrontation management
(4) legal considerations
(5) policy manuals
(6) police operations
(7) public/human relations
(8) preparation of police documents
(9) public speaking

Operate police vehicles safely under routine and emergency conditions and maintains said vehicles in good working condition.

Perform other tasks as required.

Department and In-Service Training

Demonstrate proficiency and knowledge of in-service training, through demonstration and performance evaluation, to be administered annually.

Achieves a minimum score as set forth by department policy regarding quarterly firearms qualifications and all other required in-service training.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following minimum qualifications have been identified by subject matter experts (SME’S) who have supervised this position or functioned in the position; they are based upon job analysis information supplied by these SME’S. However, if a candidate believes he/she is qualified for the job although he/she does not have the minimum qualifications set forth below, he/she may request special consideration through substitution of related education and experience, demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Any request to substitute related education or experience for minimum qualifications must be addressed to the Human Resource Director, in writing, identifying the related education and experience which demonstrates the candidate’s ability to perform all essential functions of the position. If a candidate believes he/she needs a reasonable accommodation to meet these minimum qualifications or, if called for an interview, to attend such an interview, the candidate must notify the Human Resource Director, in writing, of the need for the accommodation and identify the specific accommodation requested.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with respect for the rights of others.

Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper course of action to be taken, with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances.

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, and to prepare clear and comprehensive written reports.

Working knowledge of occupational hazards involved in the work and safety precautions for safe performance of the job.

Ability to remember names, faces and details of incidents.

Ability to develop skill in the use and care of firearms.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as necessitated by work assignments

Ability to learn a wide variety of police officer duties and methods within a reasonable working test period.

Ability to meet such medical, and physical standards, as may be prescribed.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Mississippi drivers’ license.

Be age 21 years or older.

Certification by the Mississippi State Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training is desired, but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

These physical requirements are not exhaustive and additional job-related physical demands may be added to these by the City of Ridgeland if the need arises. Corrective devices may be used to meet these physical requirements.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Benefits

The City of Ridgeland provides each full-time employee with health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance with no cost to the employee. The employee may add dependents to the health and dental insurance and premiums will be paid through payroll deduction. The effective date is the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

Full-time employees are awarded forty (40) hours of vacation after one year of service and eighty (80) hours of vacation after two years of service. After completion of four years of service, the employee is awarded an additional eight (8) hours per year of service exceeding four, not to exceed 160 hours per year.

Full-time employees are awarded eight (8) hours of sick leave per month.

The City of Ridgeland is a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System. Contribution rates are set by the Public Employees' Retirement System of MS.

The City of Ridgeland celebrates the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The City of Ridgeland will also celebrate Good Friday – Fri, Mar 26, 2027, and any additional holidays declared by the Governor of the State of Mississippi.

Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Deferred Compensation Plan & Trust, which is a supplemental retirement savings plan authorized under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and enacted by the Mississippi State Legislature. The City of Ridgeland does not match any contributions made by the employee into this plan.

Full-time employees can elect to participate in the Cafeteria Plan, which allows certain payroll deducted insurance premiums, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and dependent care expenses to be paid with pre-taxed dollars.

Cancer and accident supplement insurance is available for employees to purchase with premiums paid through payroll deduction.