25-011 Police Officer

This is an entry level sworn position performing responsible and visible work in law enforcement to preserve the peace, protect persons and property in the city, and enforce federal and state laws, and city ordinances and by-laws. This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position. Salary range is $27.35 to $39.56. Position is open until filled.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Works under the general supervision of a First Line or Mid-Level Supervisory Officer. Work is performed in accordance with extensive established rules, regulation, and instructions from superior officers who review work through reports, conferences, and observation of efficiency and effectiveness of completed work.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT:

Certain minimum requirements for appointment to this position have been established.

• Candidates must be United States Citizens.
• Candidates must have received their High School Diploma or New Hampshire GED Certificate.
• Candidates must possess a valid motor vehicle operators’ license.
• Candidates must have sufficient physical and mental abilities to perform the essential functions/duties of the position.
• The ability to receive certification by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council within 6 months of appointment.

The preferred qualifications for selection are as follows:

• Completion of college courses, military experience or significant work experience involving interaction with the public and the development of social/people skills.

GENERAL POLICE RESPONSIBILITIES: (Except as specifically noted, the following functions are considered essential to this position. The listed examples may not include all duties found in this class.)

• Exercise authority consistent with the obligations established by the law, the oath of office and the law enforcement code of ethics.
• Promptly obey legitimate orders.
• Coordinate efforts with other members of the Department so that an atmosphere of teamwork and common purpose prevails allowing maximum achievement of police objectives.
• Utilize communication and information sharing systems within the department to ensure the sharing of information among personnel and agency components as necessary.
• Respond punctually to all assignments.
• Assist all citizens requesting assistance or information.
• Record police activity consistent with existing policy and procedure.
• Maintain weapons and equipment in a functional and presentable condition.
• Immediately report damage or loss of department equipment.
• Respond to questions asked by the general public, counsel juveniles and adults as necessary and make referrals when appropriate.
• Prepare for Court and testify as necessary in official proceedings.
• Take enforcement action, including custodial arrest, as appropriate in cases of violations of local ordinances, state laws or other controlling statutes within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Dover Police Department.
• When assigned to operate a motor vehicle, officers shall ensure that the vehicle is visually inspected according to established procedures prior to assuming patrol duties. Officers shall immediately report all defects and damages sustained to the vehicle to the proper authority and complete all reports and forms required by current procedures.
  • Officers shall ensure that the assigned vehicle is clean and that no contraband, weapons or evidence has been left in the vehicle.
• Maintain radio/mobile data equipment in an operational condition at all times and utilize proper procedure when utilizing any communications equipment.
• Take precautions to avoid exposure to health hazards.
• Assist victims of crimes.
• Perform all duties as assigned.

PATROL RELATED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Except as specifically noted, the following functions are considered essential to this position. The listed examples may not include all duties found in this class.)

• Review activity/printouts concerning activity reported since the last tour of duty.
• Serve or deliver warrants, summonses, subpoenas, and other official papers promptly and accurately when assigned.
• Be alert to trends in criminal activity or conditions within the community that are favorable to the development of crime. Take preventive action to correct problems, and document action taken in police reports.
• Randomly patrol the assigned sector for the purposes of crime prevention and law enforcement. Proper police patrol requires the following:
• Direct and expedite the flow of traffic as necessary.
• Ensure that traffic safety issues are resolved.
• Perform other duties as assigned by proper authority.

• Aggressive identification and apprehension of persons violating the law or wanted by the police;
• Accurate and complete familiarity with the patrol areas within the city. In-depth knowledge of residents, merchants, businesses, roads, alleyways, paths and criminal activity within the patrol area is required;
• Completion of detailed and accurate reports regarding the investigation of all crimes, vehicle accidents and other incidents requiring police attention and the completion of a report;
• Protection and preservation of crime scenes;
• Performance of public assembly and building security checks;
• Identification and questioning of suspicious persons within the limitations imposed by the law;
• Issuance of traffic citations and enforcement of laws relating to parking and traffic;
• Reporting emergency and routine problems identified through patrol or citizen report. Ensuring the repair of traffic signals that are not functioning properly, street hazards and any other conditions that endanger public safety;
• Patrol of schools, parks, and playgrounds;
• Response to public emergencies and calls for service;
• Preserve the peace at public gatherings, neighborhood disputes and family quarrels;
• Respond to situations brought to the Officer's attention while in the course of patrol or when assigned by radio. Render first aid, when qualified, to persons who are ill or injured. Assist persons needing police services;
• Remain within the assigned patrol area throughout the tour of duty except when a police emergency as defined by policy necessitates a temporary absence has been authorized.

INVESTIGATIVE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct thorough investigations of all offenses and incidents within the area of assignment as assigned. Collect evidence and record data which will aid in the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of offenders, as well as the recovering of property.
• Maintain proficiency in latent fingerprint identification and recovery, photography, and investigative techniques such as interview and interrogation methods and procedures.
• Ensure the proper packaging, marking and securing of all evidence and property coming into police custody.
• Prepare affidavits, warrants and court complaints as necessary to the investigation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by proper authority.

Individuals selected as entry level police officers are not required to have all of the training, or to have developed all of the skills necessary to perform the functions of the position immediately upon selection. Many of the skills and abilities will be learned over the probationary period of employment, while other capabilities will be assessed during the hiring process.

In order to function independently as a police officer, personnel shall be required to successfully develop the following knowledge, skills and abilities as part of the first year of probationary employment.

• A working knowledge of police techniques, methods and procedures; knowledge of Federal, State and City laws and ordinances; knowledge of Court decisions relative to law enforcement; knowledge of community geography and demographics.
• The ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine the proper course of action to be taken; the ability to utilize self-defense techniques and equipment, restraining devices and firearms; the ability to operate motor vehicles under routine and emergency situations; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other law enforcement agencies, city employees and agencies, fellow employees, and the general public; ability to operate department equipment; ability to utilize computer equipment and sufficient keyboard skills to be proficient in report writing; the ability to project confidence, self-assurance and certainty to the public; the ability to project a neat, professional appearance to the public; the ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing. Emotional stability and the ability to cope with stressful situations and confront hostile persons.
• Physical capabilities sufficient to engage in confrontational physical arrest situations under a variety of circumstances, physical capabilities to subdue attacking persons as well as the physical capabilities to chase, apprehend and restrain individuals consistent with the enforcement of the law and apprehension of criminals. Physical capabilities sufficient to engage in activities that require greater than average strength, cardiovascular fitness and range of motion.

EDUCATION/LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma or GED. Additional course work in law enforcement, criminal justice, sociology or related field, or military duty in a closely related specialty or Associates degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or related field preferred. Certified in New Hampshire by Police Standards and Training as Police Officer upon appointment or within six months of appointment. Valid motor vehicle operator’s license. Completion of college courses, military experience, or significant work experience involving interaction with the public and the development of social/people skills is preferred.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

The hiring process for this position will consist of a review of the applications and resumes, a written test, in person interview, a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological screening, a medical examination with drug screening and a physical fitness test. The hiring process is expected to take 1-3 months. Applicants that are not selected may reapply for any future openings and shall be evaluated as a new applicant unless they received written notice of their disqualification and the reasons thereof. Applicants who reapply shall not be subjected to any discrimination or bias due to their past performance in the hiring process.

The duties and responsibilities of this position are governed by an extensive and detailed set of policies and procedures that are complimentary to this description.

Personnel assigned as police officers may also be required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of any of the following assignments, positions or functions within the agency: Patrol officer, Detective, Youth Services Officer, Neighborhood Liaison Officer, DARE officer, and Field Training Officer (FTO).

The nature of the position requires employee to be in, and maintain, sound physical condition.

Employee required to attend annual recertification training program(s).