Police Officer

Summary

Responsible for protecting life and property within the City of Madras through the enforcement of state criminal laws, traffic laws, and local ordinances. Provides crime prevention, detection, investigation, and the apprehension of criminal offenders. Works with community members, businesses and other groups to meet the mission, vision, and goals of the city and Police Department through partnership. Performs related law enforcement duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a certified law enforcement position responsible for ensuring public safety through proactive patrol and presence, community engagement, and proper enforcement of laws and regulations. The role responds to requests for assistance and information and working collaboratively with people to solve problems associated with crime and community livability issues.

While many duties are routine, the position may involve high-stress situations. The position operates under moderate supervision, with activities and work reviewed to ensure sound judgement, adherence to laws, policies and procedures, and outcomes aligned with the department’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives.

The position operates in a 24-hour environment with varied shifts, including weekends and holidays. Officers must be willing to work 8-, 10-, or 12-hour shift assignments. Officers must be willing to work day-shift, swing-shift, or graveyard-shift assignments, depending on operational needs.

Essential Functions

1. Carries out the mission of the agency as defined in the mission statement; models and promotes the core values of the department; uses independent judgement to evaluate complex situations and determine the appropriate police response to support the mission of the police department and the city.
2. Patrol streets, alleys, roads, business and residential areas of the city and interacts with the public to detect and prevent crime and enhance community livability and public safety.
3. Responds to crime scenes, traffic scenes, and emergency situations; administers first-aid and requests medical services as necessary; examines situation and records vital information regarding causes and circumstances.
4. Investigates motor vehicle crashes, criminal complaints and completes reports; makes arrests or issues citations when appropriate.
5. Conducts investigations concerning various types of crimes and complaints; takes statements and interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects; collects and processes evidence.
6. Enforces state and local laws and ordinances; serves arrest and search warrants.
7. Prepares full and comprehensive reports and forms necessary to file felony and misdemeanor charges; conducts follow-up investigations; prepares criminal cases for prosecution; refers non-criminal situations to appropriate source and assists as appropriate; testifies in legal proceedings.
8. Demonstrates a commitment to community-oriented police work and assists with solving community livability issues; performs community liaison activities and maintains positive public relations with community members; renders assistance to the public.
9. Assists other law enforcement agencies and city departments as needed; maintains contact with court officials and other city officials in the performance of police operations and activities.
10. Complies with safe work practices and contributes to the safety of co-workers and the public; maintains department equipment, supplies and facilities in clean, orderly and working conditions.
11. Demonstrates consistent, regular, and reliable work attendance in varying shifts and assignments; participates in departmental meetings and trainings.

Standard Job Factors

Communication:

Regularly communicates with internal and external members, partners, and other stakeholders to convey organizational direction and objectives, negotiate, gain cooperation, and build cooperative relationships.

Complexity:

Operates in a non-standard and unpredictable environment, often involving complex, difficult, or unusual situations, requiring flexible solutions, and frequent decision making.

Autonomy

Works with moderate autonomy, in a dynamic environment, with broad guidance, requiring the use of sound judgement and flexibility to determine the best course of action.

Impact of Errors

Error in certain aspects of work assignments can result in significant legal ramification and have a substantial impact on the reputation of the department and city.

Knowledge of:

• Modern law enforcement principles, practice, techniques, and equipment.
• Various state and local criminal, traffic, and civil laws, codes and ordinances, and their application.
• Federal and State laws regarding custody, interrogation, search and seizure, and other procedural aspects.
• Departmental policies and procedural manual, guidelines, practices, and chain of command.
• Basic investigative techniques.
• Basic interview techniques.
• Basic problem-solving techniques and methodology.
• Court procedures and rules of evidence.
• Report writing techniques, crime coding system, and case preparation techniques.
• Correct and safe operation of various types of firearms and other police equipment.
• Use of defensive tactics.
• Community resources, such as social services available for persons in crisis situations.
• Principles of First Aid.
• Geographical layout of the city.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Analyze complex situations and develop effective responses that may include law enforcement or the utilization of other community resources.
• Evaluate high-risk situations quickly and objectively while maintaining flexibility. Make appropriate response decisions; employ discretion as required and calmly deal with stressful situations; maintain composure under adverse conditions such as public harassment, critical injuries, and death.
• Identify criminal activities and decide upon appropriate response; recognize actual and potentially dangerous situations and determine proper course of action.
• Learn and apply laws, ordinances, department rules and regulations, principles, and techniques of community policing, modern crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and all other aspects of law enforcement.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, using proper grammar, spelling and composition; prepare clear and accurate incident reports and summaries in a timely manner.
• Ability to meet basic typing standards and ability to use computers, including law enforcement specific programs.
• Qualified to testify in judicial proceedings; present testimony and present evidence competently and effectively.
• Read and comprehend complex laws, ordinances, plans and orders.
• Independently organize and manage work schedule to efficiently meet workflow demands and deadlines.
• Develop and maintain physical fitness to subdue suspects, use appropriate physical force, lift heavy gear and hazards, and carry people.
• Operate, use, and maintain a variety of police tools in a safe and effective manner; safely operate a police vehicle in a variety of situations and conditions.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees, community partners, media, and the community.
• Balance authority of the position with service to the community.
• Perform the essential functions of the job and uphold the sworn oath of office with strong integrity and ethics.

Experience and Special Requirements

• Must possess or be able to successfully complete within probationary period a State of Oregon DPSST Academy Basic Certificate, successfully complete the Madras Field Training Officer Program, and any specialized training provided through the Madras Police Department.
• Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment.
• Must be a US citizen at the time of employment.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid Oregon driver’s license and acceptable driving history.
• Must possess or be able to obtain within probationary period the following certifications: L.E.D.S. certification, Intoxilyzer, First aid and CPR.
• Meet the Department’s and Oregon DPSST physical standards including vision requirements and the Department’s psychological standards.
• Must pass an extensive comprehensive background investigation including criminal history check, credit history check, and obtain an Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Systems clearance.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Frequent walking on uneven terrain.
• Physical agility for running, jumping, climbing, crawling, kneeling, lifting, and brief physical interactions.
• May occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds or heavier with appropriate assistance.
• Work under mental or physical intensity for brief periods of time or up to several hours.
• Walking or standing for periods up to 12 hours.
• Perform clerical work, including prolonged sitting.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential job functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, incumbents work outside in all weather conditions.
• Incumbents occasionally work near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with firearms and occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, blood borne or airborne pathogens, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.
• When responding to emergencies, incumbent risks physical hazard from violent, aggressive, and hostile people, a variety of weapons, noise, chemicals, bodily secretions, sharp objects, traffic, drugs and drug paraphernalia, and crime scenes.
• The noise level in the work environment may be moderate to high.
• This job is not eligible for remote work options.