Police Officer

Under basic supervision, patrols, investigates, responds to calls for service, enforces laws, prevents crimes and assists the general public for the Waco Police Department (WPD); conducts surveillance, monitors traffic, arrests suspects and maintains order in the City.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Enforces state and federal laws and City regulations; identifies, prevents and terminates unlawful activities using experience and technical training; identifies, pursues and arrests suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts; duties will vary according to job assignment.
• Performs work according to WPD policies to enforce laws, preserve peace, maintain order, solve problems, respond to requests for service and promote crime prevention through community policing.
• Consistently applies WPD regulations and procedures and provides professional police services.
• Responds to incidents, accidents and calls for service; initiates basic investigations and coordinates responses with regional law enforcement and emergency services agencies.
• Patrols City to preserve the peace, enforce the law, control vehicular traffic and prevent and detect misconduct, misdemeanors, felonies and other law violation; intervenes to ensure the safety of citizens in mental health crisis; investigates and renders assistance at crime and accident scenes; serves and protects the community.
• Preserves the peace of the community through mediation, investigation, intervention, assistance and arrest; utilizes all lawful means to improve the quality of life by recognizing and resolving problems.
• Works with citizens to address the issues of safety, crime and neighborhood disorder.
• Conducts security checks, responds to citizen complaints and treats citizens with courtesy and respect.
• Performs crime investigation and analysis; secures crime scenes and interviews and interrogates suspects and witnesses; preserves, analyzes and evaluates evidence; takes measurements and draws diagrams of crime and accident scenes; searches scene of crimes for clues; arrests persons involved in crimes and misconduct; prepares cases for court proceedings and testifies in court. 
• Performs specialized functions in areas of expertise, including general and specialized training, K-9, SWAT, community outreach, crime prevention, event security, warrant service, computer systems, armory and other special enforcement, assessment, surveillance, intervention, investigative and inter-agency teams.
• Cross-trains in a wide variety of law enforcement skills and disciplines.
• Prepares accurate and detailed reports and required paperwork.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values and goals of the Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Waco and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Able to testify in court proceedings. 
• Must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Department standards.
• May be required to respond on off days or non-scheduled holidays, in the event of a departmental or City-wide emergency.
• Performs all related and assigned duties as required. 
• Driving is essential 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required; AND successful completion of Police Academy training; AND 15 hours of college credit with at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or two years of active-duty military experience from the US Armed Forces with an honorable discharge or 2 years continuous experience as a paid full-time police officer.
 
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION: 

• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License. 
• Peace Officer’s License and certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is required; depending on the needs of the City, additional licenses and certifications may be required.

Knowledge:

• City policies and procedures.
• Police Department General Orders, Code of Conduct, policies and procedures.
• City, county, state and federal civil and criminal laws, regulations, codes and ordinances.
• Texas criminal justice system and court procedures, records management procedures and Texas Administrative Code governing Public Safety functions.
• Duties, powers, authorities and limitations of a Police Officer.
• Principles of crime scene management and the operation of specialized technical equipment.
• Modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including case laws governing arrest, rules of evidence, probable cause, use of force, custody of evidence and property and search and seizure.
• Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.
• Techniques for evaluating and addressing community services issues.
• Geography, roads and landmarks of City and surrounding areas.

• Interpreting and applying criminal laws to information, evidence and other data compiled.
• Working under stressful conditions and emergency situations. 
• Investigating, researching and analyzing facts and situations.
• Exercising controlled discretion, communicating with violators, recognizing suspicious behavior patterns, mediating difficult situations and using effective arrest and control techniques.
• Investigating crime scenes and recognizing evidence and causes of crime, death and accidents.
• Care, maintenance and safe operation of a variety of firearms, impact weapons, chemical agents and other law enforcement tools and equipment.
• Remaining alert at all times and reacting quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Preparing clear, comprehensive and accurate reports.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, officials, community groups, advocates and representatives from local, state and federal agencies.
• Effectively managing situations requiring diplomacy, fairness, firmness and sound judgment.
• Using a personal computer and specialized software applications.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.