Police Officer - Lateral

Salary : $108,995.12 - $132,484.82 Annually
Location : 1000 Civic Center Drive, Tracy, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Police
Opening Date: 05/14/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: TPOA

Description
To learn more about this exciting career opportunity with Tracy PD clickHERE!
New TPOA 4-Year Agreement!

4% COLA Effective 6/28/26
4% COLA Effective 6/27/27
4% COLA Effective 6/25/28

DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of patrol and related duties involving the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, traffic control, and the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances; employs community policing strategies to prevent juvenile crime and delinquency; assists in the preparation of cases and testifies in court; provides information and assistance to the public; depending on assignment, performs specialized administrative or investigative work; and performs related duties, as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey-level classification in the Police Officer series. Positions at this level perform the full range of duties of a sworn law enforcement officer in a municipal Police Department in the enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances. Assignments can include all functional areas of the law enforcement field, including investigation, youth services, administration, and training are included. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Police Trainee class by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the department. This class is distinguished from Police Corporal in that the latter is the lead level in this sworn class series responsible for providing functional direction and training lower-level sworn staff on an assigned shift.
Essential and Marginal Duties
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs a variety of community policing duties to maintain a highly visible presence within the community for the purpose of deterring crime, maintaining good community relations, and providing assistance to the public, including speaking before various civic and community groups, patrolling assigned divisions by foot, bicycle, or vehicle, and performing other related duties as required.
• Patrols the City within an assigned area in a radio dispatched automobile to secure life and property, observes situations, reports and inspects suspicious and criminal activity, or hazardous conditions, and deters crime by providing high visibility patrols.
• Responds to emergency calls for service, disturbances, thefts, burglaries, vehicle accidents, domestic disputes, suspicious activities, and other incidents to protect public safety and property, resolve problems, diffuse situations, and enforce laws and ordinances.
• Provides information, directions, and assistance to the public in a variety of situations; takes reports and assists the public with complaints or unusual situations.
• Detects, apprehends, arrests, and transports suspected or convicted criminals.
• Enforces traffic laws; prepares and issues tickets for violations; investigates traffic accidents and determines causes; administers drug and alcohol testing as appropriate; arranges for additional emergency and patrol vehicles as necessary.
• Secures crime scenes and evidence; interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses; collects and preserves evidence; performs complete investigations and/or cooperates with other law enforcement agencies providing investigative and case development support.
• Responds to a wide variety of calls from citizens in need of first aid, information, and general assistance; provides direction or information to individuals or groups for the purpose of preventing, subduing, or alleviating harmful, dangerous or illegal situations; performs traffic and crowd control duties as needed.
• Prepares a variety of detailed and concise police reports related to crimes, investigations, traffic accidents, and assigned activities; maintains records and logs related to daily activities; prepares search warrants and press releases related to criminal activity as assigned by the position.
• Serves as an informational resource to the public concerning law enforcement activities; responds to inquiries and provides detailed and technical information concerning related services, crimes, laws, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Communicates with other law enforcement agencies, City personnel, and various outside organizations to exchange information, coordinate activities, and resolve issues or concerns; collaborates with other law enforcement agencies in the investigation of various crimes as appropriate; assists the District Attorney's Office in preparing, documenting, and developing cases and gathering information; testifies in court as required.
• Serves writs, warrants, subpoenas, and other legal documents as necessary.
• Operates and maintains a variety of specialized law enforcement equipment such as patrol vehicles, firearms, handcuffs, leg restraints, batons, flashlights, radars, two-way radios, pepper spray, breathalyzers, and sirens.
• Assists in cases involving unfit homes and crimes committed against or by juveniles.
• Provides first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and rescue services at crime scenes, accidents, and other emergency situations as needed.
• Conducts investigations in specialized areas such as narcotics, missing persons, sexual abuse, mental health, and deaths as assigned.
• Notifies the public of criminal and law enforcement situations and activities as needed; checks on the health and welfare of citizens as requested.
• Attends and participates in various meetings and training sessions as assigned; serves in assigned special functions and activities as required.
• Promotes the City's commitment to excellence and quality customer service by employing community policing strategies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Law enforcement principles, practices, and techniques related to patrol, traffic enforcement, crime scene control and investigation, protection of life and property, and pursuit, apprehension, and transportation of suspects.
• Rules of evidence regarding search and seizure, the preservation of evidence, and the chain of custody.
• Courtroom procedures and techniques for testifying.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures, and court decisions relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work, including the safe use and proper care of firearms, chemical agents, and impact weapons.
• First aid and CPR.
• Safe operation of a motor vehicle in under patrol, high speed, and emergency conditions.
• Record-keeping and report preparation techniques.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability to:

• Observe and document incident details accurately; recall faces, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents and places.
• Perform a variety of law enforcement activities including patrol functions and traffic regulation.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct reports, records, and other written materials.
• Identify and be responsive to community issues, concerns, and needs.
• Respond to crime and emergency scenes and take immediate and appropriate action.
• Take command while dealing with disorderly or emergency situations.
• Investigate crimes and inspect crime scenes to identify and collect potential and actual evidence.
• Operate specialized law enforcement equipment and vehicles in a safe and responsible manner.
• Maintain records and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Speak effectively before groups.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth (12th) grade.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license upon appointment.
• Possession of a valid Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate.
• Possession of a valid CPR certification.
• May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.

Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina to respond to emergency situations and pursue and apprehend suspects, and vision to maintain firearms qualification. Work is primarily performed in the field requiring frequent walking and running on uneven terrain, climbing and descending structures to access crime scenes, pursue suspects on foot, and identify problems or hazards, and operation of a motor vehicle to perform patrol and pursuit duties and to visit various City sites and locations. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform duties. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions consistent with P.O.S.T. standards. Some duties of this classification are carried out in an office setting, and employees must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work indoors and outdoors, and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing laws, codes, and departmental policies and procedures. The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Employees must pass a detailed background investigation. Must be willing to work extended shifts or be called back in emergency situations and work with exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to dangerous situations.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City of Tracy employees are, by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers. The roles and responsibilities for Disaster Service Workers are authorized by the California Emergency Services Act and are defined in the California Labor Code. In the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee of the District may be assigned to perform activities which promote the protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property. Such assignments may require service at locations, times, and under conditions that are significantly different than the normal work assignments and may continue into the recovery phase of the emergency. If a "Local Emergency" is declared during the employee's shift, employees will be expected to remain at work to respond to the emergency needs of the community. If a "Local Emergency" is declared outside of the employee's shift, employees must make every effort to contact their direct supervisor or department head to obtain reporting instructions as Disaster Service Workers.