APD Certified Police Officer

Description

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The full pay range for a Certified Police Officer is $21.12 - $32.74.  The pay rate offered depends on qualifications (DOQ) for candidates already certified as Law Enforcement Officers.  Any final offer presented will be calculated based on verifiable work experience as a certified officer.
In addition to the generous benefits package the City of Alamogordo offers its employees, non-probationary Police Officers may also be eligible for bi-lingual pay, education incentives, specialty pay, and physical fitness pay. 

Recruitment Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent;
• Must be at least 21 years of age on the date of application; 
• Valid New Mexico Driver’s License or the ability to obtain within sixty (60) days of employment; with a good driving record acceptable to the City of Alamogordo; 
• Must not have any felony convictions, domestic violence or DWI convictions, or any other convictions for crimes indicating lack of character or moral turpitude;
• Must be a United States Citizen;
• Must have a Basic Law Enforcement Officer Certification issued by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Training and Recruiting Division.; or
• Qualify for the Cert-By-Waiver program through the State of New Mexico Police Academy; and
• Must successfully pass a medical exam that meet physical requirements, a drug screening test, a psychological exam, a polygraph test or a voice stress analysis, a hearing test, an eye test and a thorough background investigation.

Essential Duties

Essential Duties

• Responds to emergency, non-emergency and routine calls; patrols City, arrests criminal suspects, issues citations, serves warrants, subpoenas, civil papers, and other legal documents promptly and accurately; 
• Patrols City with emphasis on traffic safety, assisting public (stranded motorists, providing directions, providing aid to those in danger of physical harm), answering complaints, safeguarding property, and enforcing laws and ordinances;
• Identifies criminal offenders and criminal activity and where appropriate, apprehend offenders and participate in subsequent court proceedings to testify and provide expert opinion; 
• Participates in daily meetings and briefings to disseminate information regarding current operational status with other divisions within the department and with other law enforcement agencies;
• Prepares law enforcement reports associated with offenses and arrests and enters data into the computer system;
• Responsible for knowledge of City geography, physical conditions, street names, numbers, locations, and other matters affecting response to a call for service;
• Performs vehicle, personnel, and property identification checks;
• Assists in planning and implementation of activities involving department training;
• Investigates crimes including securing crime scene, performing surveillance, preparing required documentation, collecting evidence, questioning witnesses and victims;
• Investigate crashes and traffic complaints;
• Provides security and escort during special events, funerals, parades, fairs, and wide loads;
• Facilitate the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and maintains current knowledge of traffic control devices and traffic related ordinances;
• Conducts special enforcement programs, including directing DWI interdictions, implementing specific patrol techniques, and inspecting seat belt usages and regulation compliance; 
• Develops, implements, coordinates, and educates community organizations and the general public regarding hazardous materials; 
• Reviews various community relations programs through schools, the media, publications, and public appearances;
• Conducts all levels of crime prevention, including identifying crime locations and type, and executing crime prevention tactics and programs;
• Responds to, participates in, and trains for aircraft emergencies, personnel rescue and evacuation;
• Conducts prisoner transport to courts and detention facilities;
• Conducts preliminary first aid and CPR procedures prior to EMS arrival;
• Conducts mediation for landlord/tenant, domestic relation, and customer/retailer disputes;
• Responsible for maintaining current knowledge and training on firearms, radars, breathalyzers, and law enforcement ordinances and procedures;
• Maintains vehicles, weapons, equipment and the building, in a professional, functional, and presentable condition; performs minor department facility, vehicle, and equipment repairs;
• Assists with community relations projects including the implementation of programs that increase public awareness of police operations and procedures;
• Provides safety and security services and related functions at various public and private schools as outlined in APD Rules and Regulations;
• Provides station duties including receiving walk in calls and citizen inquiries, security of the records area, coordination of the Intoxilyzer Key Operators, coordinates with other departmental components and other agencies regarding court appearance and CYFD referrals;
• Assists City ambulance contractor in lifting and moving patients and renders first aid to injured persons;
• Responsible for Professional Standards outlined in the Canon of Ethics;
• May participate on special assignments as designated by Alamogordo Police Chief;
• May provide courtroom security;
• Contributes to a high-quality work culture through participation in training and mentoring to develop skills, including safety related training and skills; 
• Provides excellent customer service to ensure high operational and service standards are met and maintained for the Citizens of Alamogordo; and
• Perform duties according to City of Alamogordo Ordinances; City wide and Departmental Policies and Procedures, and any applicable Laws regulated by an outside authority.

 OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES

• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned; 
• Will be required to work variable shifts including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays; and
• Maintain the confidentiality of information obtained during performance of duties.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 
 
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: 

• Criminal and civil law; 
• Departmental rules and regulations; 
• Investigation and crime prevention methods; 
• Identification records processes and procedures; and
• First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures.

 Skills/Ability to:

• Safely use vehicles, firearms, and specialized equipment; 
• Operate a computer to prepare records and reports; 
• Apply criminal investigative techniques; 
• Operate intoxilyzer; control traffic and accident scenes; 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, city attorneys office, other departmental employees, community and school organizations, and the general public; 
• Demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication; 
• Maintain accurate records or reports;  
• Maintain appropriate necessary certifications; and

Demonstrate and maintain physical endurance, agility, dexterity, and strength necessary to perform required duties.

Work Environment

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Regular exposure to uncooperative, hostile, or violent persons;
• Exposure to injured or ill persons;
• May be required to use defensive tactics and weapons;
• 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 handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, 
• taste or smell;
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds when moving police equipment, stretchers and bodies, and various items at accident scenes; the lifting of any object greater than fifty (50) pounds by a single individual is prohibited. Lifting objects, materials, or equipment weighing more than fifty (50) pounds require the buddy system or the use of devices designed to assist with lifting or moving. Proper lifting techniques shall be used when lifting items of any weight;
• 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 employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; hazardous traffic conditions; with explosives; and
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.