POLICE OFFICER (CERTIFIED)

Police OfficerThis position performs general police duties to ensure the strict enforcement of state and local laws relating to public safety and welfare; and performs related law enforcement work as required. This class works according to some procedures but decides how or when to do things; work is reviewed regularly by supervisor. The work is considered medium-to-heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, running, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and lifting, pushing or pulling objects, and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. Must be able to defend one's self from assault and to restrain suspects of varying weights. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, grasping, handling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking. Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, electrical shock, heights, disease/pathogens, toxic/caustic chemicals, explosives, violence; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Essential job functions include enforcing all federal and state laws and City ordinances relating to public safety and welfare; performing general patrol duties; performing traffic enforcement duties; serving warrants, summonses, subpoenas, civil and other official papers; assisting with criminal investigations; providing testimony and presenting evidence in court as necessary; administering first aid and assisting EMTs at emergency scenes as necessary; participating in special operations as assigned; performing routine service duties; providing leadership of assigned subordinate officers; participating in officer training; preparing and submitting detailed work records and reports; remaining abreast of all federal and state laws, and ordinances of the City of Columbia; maintaining assigned equipment and vehicle; assisting other law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions as required; receiving and responding to citizen inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance; participating in neighborhood and community relations programs; attending periodic training sessions and attending seminars and meetings to keep abreast of current law enforcement trends; maintaining required physical fitness and required level of proficiency in the use of firearms; working under stressful, high-risk conditions; remaining on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for emergency response; performing general clerical work as required; and performing other related duties as assigned. Minimum requirements to perform work include a high school diploma or GED; some relevant prior experience; a valid South Carolina Class "D" Driver's License; firearms certifications; and Class I certification or successfully complete Class I Certification through the Criminal Justice Academy in accordance with 23-23-40 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976. Knowledge, skills, and abilities include knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages; ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information; ability to persuade or influence others in favor of a service, point of view, or course of action; ability to lead, operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as police vehicles and equipment, firearms; ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving; ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form; ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks prescribed by standard practices but which may require computation, the use of several procedures, and the use of independent judgments with obvious choices; requires normal attention for accurate results; and ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.