SUMMARY

Under successful completion of the academy and attainment of P.O.S.T certification, the incumbent will be eligible for placement in a Police Officer I position, at the discretion of the hiring Police Commander.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The purpose of this position is to attend and successfully complete an accredited Police Academy and obtain a Colorado P.O.S.T. certificate. At the Academy, Police Officer Recruit will acquire necessary information, knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA’s) that enable them to perform law enforcement duties. In general, the KSA’s taught at the Academy involve a variety of routine public safety work; including how to perform and administer duties involved in police patrol, investigation, traffic enforcement and control, citizen assistance, and related law enforcement activities. Police Officer Recruits carry out routine and special assignments keeping in mind the purpose of the Police Officer is to protect the lives, safety, health, welfare, and property of the citizens of Fountain by enforcing municipal, state and federal ordinances, statutes and laws.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

This job/class works under very close supervision according to set procedures, overseen by Academy personnel. When working in the City, the Police Officer Recruit will work under close supervision of a Police Sergeant/Training Officer, or any other Sworn Police Department employee assigned supervisory oversight responsibility for Academy participants.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Maintains and supports a positive, collaborative culture within the City organization as a whole, fully embracing the cultural and values statements espoused by the City.
• Attends an accredited Police Academy to learn and apply the knowledge and skills required of a sworn law enforcement officer; and, obtains a Colorado Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certificate within timeframes deemed appropriate by the Fountain Police Department.
• As a Police Officer Recruit in the Fountain Police Department’s PTO Training Program, the Police Officer Recruit focuses on the learning and implementation of the program’s core competencies, including but not limited to: Police Vehicle Operations, Conflict Resolution, Use of Force, Local Procedures, Report Writing, Leadership, Problem Solving Skills, Community Specific Problems, Cultural Diversity, Legal Authority, Individual Rights, Officer Safety, Communication Skills, Ethics and Self-awareness/Self-regulation.
• Learn to enforce traffic and other laws and City ordinances.
• May educate citizens regarding laws and City ordinances.
• May be expected to assist in preserving the peace; controlling vehicular traffic; preventing or detecting and investigating misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies, and other law violations; and generally providing for the public safety.
• May be expected to maintain awareness of and remain alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles/property, missing persons, traffic violators, quality of life issues, and crimes in progress.
• May, under close supervision, respond to and investigate calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, robberies, thefts, frauds, assaults, domestic violence, suicide prevention, child abuse, missing children, abuse of narcotics, fires, and other related misdemeanors, felonies, and other law violations and takes appropriate law enforcement and investigative action.
• May administer CPR, AED and first aid in cases of emergency.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with citizens and co-workers.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• May assist with conducting preventative maintenance on patrol vehicle and other equipment and firearms.
• May assist with conducting crime prevention duties including participation in various crime prevention programs and speaking appearances in schools or businesses.
• Attends training courses as assigned or appropriate. Acquires up-to-date knowledge of all departmental policies and procedures, laws, ordinances, etc.
• Performs other duties and special projects as requested by superior.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent supplemented by specialized courses/training.

Certificates or licenses:

• Requires a valid Colorado driver’s license.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid Certificate while attending an accredited Police Academy.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Handles or uses machines, tools, equipment or work aids involving moderate latitude for judgment regarding attainment of a standard or in selecting appropriate items.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, jumping, dancing, stretching, or lifting all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or exceptional skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands, or limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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

While many of this position’s duties are performed in an out-door environment, some duties may be required to be performed an equal amount of time in an in-door-environment. Position has exposure to temperature and climate extremes and is exposed to loud sounds of firearms and sirens.

Occasionally works is performed in emergency and stressful situations and the employee may be exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with crime and other emergency incidents, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemical, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. During these emergency situations, the employee works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night.

The employee occasionally works near mechanical parts, is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or chemicals. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infections materials in the course of their duties.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, except during crime and other emergency incidents when noise levels may be loud.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum twenty-one (21) years of age
• Requires good physical condition.
• General awareness of crime prevention, investigation, and community policing principals, procedures, techniques and equipment.
• General awareness of federal, state, and local laws and their application to police activities.
• Proficiency in or ability to learn the use of firearms and other police equipment.
• Able to obtain the following ICS Certifications: IS100, 200 & 700.

Impact of Errors

The impact of errors is very serious - affects entire organization and the general public or loss of life and/or damage could occur, and probability is very likely.

Communication Requirements

Reads technical instructions, procedures manuals and charts to solve practical problems, such as assembly instruction for tools, routine office equipment operating instructions, and methods and procedures for investigations and in drawing and layout work; composes routine reports and specialized reports, forms, and business letters, with proper format; speaks compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

Judgment Requirements

Decision-making is a significant part of the job, affecting a large segment of the organization and the general public; works in a dynamic environment, responsible to assist in developing policies and practices.

Complexity of Work

Performs coordinating work involving guidelines and rules, with constant problem solving; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressures.