Police Officer - Entrance Exam

GENERAL PURPOSE

The description listed below is intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in this position. Specifications are NOT intended to reflect all duties performed within the position.

OBJECTIVE

Under general supervision, maintains public law and order, protects life and property, prevents crimes, conducts investigations concerning unlawful activity, apprehends violators of the law, and assists citizens in solving problems.

1. The employee's duties require frequent exposure to a high degree of danger or peril and a high degree of physical conditioning; and
2. The employee's duties are not primarily clerical or administrative.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following tasks are typical for this position, other duties may be assigned:

• Performs arrest and searches relative to law enforcement activities in accord with applicable laws governing such activities.
• Protects the public's rights under the law.
• Patrols assigned areas of the City on foot, in a patrol. vehicle, bicycle, or other means of transportation, observing unlawful activity and taking corrective action as necessary.
• Investigates incidents and prepares necessary reports to required standards. This includes preparing reports on police activity, taking measurements, making diagrams, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and other related activity.
• Performs traffic control and enforces traffic laws.
• Assists the public by giving directions, answering questions and seeking solutions to problems brought to the officer's attention.
• Operates a patrol vehicle equipped with a police radio, computer. radar unit, emergency lights. and siren.
• Enforces DUI laws and processes intoxicated drivers in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
• Prepares detailed police reports of crimes and collects evidence in accordance with department standards. Maintains a proper evidence chain.
• Coordinates various work activities with other law enforcement agencies.
• Provides courtroom testimony as required.
• Performs public relations work as assigned.
• Participates in and actively supports department community-oriented policing philosophies and related programs.
• Detains, arrest, transports, and processes prisoners.
• Drive an automobile and possess a valid operator's license.
• Pass annual firearm qualifications.
• Use and maintain essential equipment such as firearms, batons, flashlights, chemical sprays, ECD device, handcuffs, radios, computers, copiers, typewriters, cellular phones, etc:
• Maintain Kentucky law Enforcement Council Certification
• Serve warrants, DVO's, EPO's and make forcible arrests.
• Testify in court.
• Keep written reports of crimes, accidents, incidents in conformity with procedures. and write citations as warranted.
• Control traffic and spectators at the scene of an emergency or crime or large gatherings.
• Respond to and investigate vehicular accidents that may include hazardous materials/chemicals.
• Assist in rescue operations and render medical aid in emergencies.
• Physical ability to pursue suspects while running, climbing and scaling obstacles.
• Evaluate potentially volatile situations and deal with them in an appropriate manner.
• Actively participate in training courses as a student.
• Take control of a crime scene, secure and preserve evidence, and interview witnesses.

KNOWLEDGE ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Keep abreast of changing trends and practices in policing and the community and make recommendations and suggestions to their immediate supervisor on how the Department might better accomplish its mission.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive materials or information that they come into contact with.
• Respect the Constitutional rights of all citizens while enforcing all Federal, State, and local laws.
• Read, write, and communicate at 12th grade or higher level.
• Speak before citizen and professional groups.
• Follow orders and directive.
• Maintain knowledge of geographic areas of the City and surrounding areas.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be a citizen of the United States and be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ADVANCEMENT IN GRADE:

1. Patrol Officer Grade I shall be advanced to Patrol Per-see Officer Grade II after one-
   • (1) year of service with the favorable recommendation from the Chief of Police. If no favorable recommendation is made, he/she can be extended in grade for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days. Within ninety (90) days, disciplinary action must be taken, or advancement is mandatory.
2. Patrol Officer Grade II shall be advanced to Patrol Officer Grade III after two (2) years of service.
3. Patrol Officer Grade III shall be advanced to Patrol Officer Grade IV after five (5) years of service.
4. Patrol Officer Grade IV shall be advanced to Patrol Officer Grade V after seven (7) years of service.
5. Patrol Officer Grade V shall be advanced to Patrol Officer Grade VI after nine (9) years of service. (Effective 1/1/2017).

All advancements in grade shall include all years of service in law enforcement including other agencies.

EDUCATION

1. Have obtained an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent hours while working toward a Bachelor's Degree with an average grade of "C" or above,

2. Or one of the requirements below can be used in lieu of the educational requirement.

   1. Have an established work history of a minimum of two years.

   2. 24 months of continuous active duty in regular military service with an honorable discharge in lieu of the college credit requirement.

   3. 2 years continuous employment as a municipal, county or state police officer in lieu of the college credit requirement.

ADDITIONAL EVALUATIONS

Candidate must successfully complete the agility, psychological, polygraph, and background examinations, including fingerprints.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts. and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LISCENSESES, REGISTRATIONS

Possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and KLEC

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit and to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. 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. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Most work performed outdoors regardless of the weather. Work exposes employees to machinery and its moving parts, fumes, chemicals, and/or toxic substances, and occasionally requires employee to be in high places and/or working with dangerous equipment.

IMPORTANT NOTICE AS OUR TESTING PROCESS HAS CHANGED

City of Covington offers full testing services for the position of Police Officer through National Testing Network (NTN). To register with NTN and schedule a test, go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select ‘Find Jobs’, then select Law Enforcement Jobs and sign up for City of Covington.

When you visit the www.nationaltestingnetwork.com website:

• Complete the NTN registration process and schedule your test.
• Review all information related to the City of Covington Police Officer, including minimum requirements, salary, and benefits.
• Review detailed information about the testing process.
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions and take an online practice test (if desired).
• Upon completion of your scheduled exam, scores are automatically forwarded to City of Covington. Candidates who attain a passing score on the entry level exam will be placed on the City of Covington’s eligibility list.  The City of Covington will contact candidates on the list and will invite them to participate in further stages of the selection process.

National Testing Network is a service provided to conduct entry level testing in a standardized, professional environment. National Testing Network does not replace the City of Covington’s responsibility and decision making in the testing process.  All candidate results are provided to the City of Covington where the final decisions are made.

All candidates must successfully complete a written examination, physical agility, oral interview, psychological, polygraph, and background examinations, including fingerprints, medical and drug screen.