Police Officer - Lateral & Entry-level

Pay $33.27/Hour - $46.35/Hour

Nature of Work, Essential Functions & KSA's

The City of Delaware is building an eligibility list to fill multiple lateral & entry-level Police Officer openings. Patrol Officers respond to over 30,000 calls for service covering 19 square miles of the city.  Our officers have the opportunity throughout their career to specialize in a variety of policing areas from detectives to community relations to bike patrol, canine handler or specialized task/tactical units.

NATURE OF WORK 

 

Position is responsible for the enforcement of state and local laws and ordinances, for responding to calls for protection of life and property, for conducting criminal and non-criminal investigations, apprehension of criminals and to perform other assigned law enforcement and public safety duties. Duties normally consist of patrol and enforcement activities in the city on an assigned shift. Work may involve elements of danger and involves many emergencies which demand that an officer must be able to exercise sound judgment and act without direct supervision. Officers may be delegated to assignments in specialized areas. Position is under the direct supervision of the Patrol Sergeant or other officer-in-charge (OIC).

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 

1. Performs preventative and self-initiated patrol tasks in an assigned area, on foot, in assigned vehicle or on bike.
2. Enforces state and local laws and City ordinances.
3. Maintains community presence and responds to calls for service and takes appropriate action.
4. Investigates complaints; interviews suspects and witnesses.
5. Responds to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents and other public safety emergencies.
6. Determines existence of probable cause and identifies and takes suspects and offenders into physical custody or refers charges for review and prosecution.
7. Conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations.
8. Performs traffic enforcement duties.
9. Performs routine security inspections.
10. Conducts searches and seizures.
11. Prepares complete and detailed reports and other related documents in a timely manner.
12. Demonstrates regular and reliable attendance.
13. Maintains physical fitness standards.
14. Maintains all equipment necessary for the daily performance of job duties.

 

SKILLS

• Skill in safely operating assigned vehicle at all times, especially in heavy traffic and under adverse weather conditions.
• Skill in operating police equipment, such as: radar, laser, BAC Datamaster, photography equipment, weapons, radio, teletype, and other related equipment (after training).
• Skill in using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Skill in developing and maintaining good relationships with informants and contacts which may be helpful in criminal investigations.
• Skill in communicating in the English language.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of good English and mathematics.
• Knowledge of standard first aid administration (after training).
• Knowledge of police policies, practices and procedures (after training).
• Knowledge of equipment used in the performance of assigned duties (after training).
• Knowledge of state, federal and local laws (after training).
• Knowledge of methods, objectives and procedures of court proceedings (after training).
• Knowledge of officer safety skills including defensive tactics, handcuffing and firearm operation (after training).
• Knowledge of personal computers and job-related software.

ABILITIES

• Ability to operate Department vehicles and equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, associates, City officials, prosecutorial staff and the general public.
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions, to respond immediately in crisis situations, and to balance priorities.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, to recognize actual and potential dangers, and to determine proper course of action.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations and established procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of restricted information.
• Ability to lift and/or move heavy objects or persons in the course of rescue activities.
• Ability to physically restrain persons in the course of law enforcement activities.
• Ability to give chase on foot in the course of criminal apprehension activities.
• Ability to withstand working outside in all extreme weather conditions.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK

 

• Responds to calls which include domestic incidents, burglaries, juvenile disturbances, health and welfare assists, civil standby, business and residential alarms, traffic accidents, civil protection/no contact order violations, bomb threats, hazardous material spills and other public and life safety incidents.
• Apprehends and arrests violators; serves warrants.
• Operates various pieces of police department equipment such as, but not limited to: police cruiser, weapons, two-way radio, teletype, camera, projector, recorder, BAC Datamaster, laser, radar, CRT computer, etc.
• Investigates all reported misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Conducts examinations of persons, vehicles, premises etc. in an effort to collect evidence.
• Prepares cases for court; gives testimony in court.
• Observes and monitors activity throughout the community.
• Reports all hazardous situations to proper division for correction.
• Mediates neighborhood and domestic disputes.
• Takes into custody, gives aid and assistance to persons under mental distress and those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Works with all social agencies to provide aid to those in need of help.
• May serve as officer-in-charge (OIC) while on duty; may assist with training of new officers in standard operating procedures and completion of all reports and daily activities.
• Takes suspect or offender into custody and delivers them to appropriate confinement location while maintaining security and safety of individuals being moved from one location to another; provides supervision and care of prisoners confined in City Jail.
• Provides crowd and traffic control for special events such as sporting events, parades or any large gathering.
• Conducts security inspections.
• Interviews victims, criminals, witnesses and other citizens to obtain information.
• Prepares required reports; takes accurate notes.
• Directs and controls traffic; patrols in a preventative manner; investigates accidents in order to determine cause; keeps streets and highways free of hazardous conditions and drivers.
• Gives aid and assistance to those citizens in need.
• Provides speeches and instruction for various groups.
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of criminals and the investigation of offenses.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and providing suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Performs other related work, as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

1. The primary duties of this class are performed in both a general office environment and an outdoor environment that may include exposure to adverse weather conditions and to potential personal danger.
2. Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, to communicate effectively, to interrogate and interview people, to discern noises that may require investigation, and to perform telephone and radio communication.
3. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, to read and write reports, correspondence, etc., to perform surveillance, to operate a police vehicle both day and night, to observe criminal and traffic violations taking place, to sight and shoot a firearm, to gather evidence at crime scenes and to coordinate detailed investigations.
4. Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to use a firearm safely and effectively, to direct traffic, write reports, utilize equipment required for the performance of duties and operate a vehicle.
5. Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, stamina, strength and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to direct traffic, bend or stoop repeatedly, maneuver through and over rough, uneven, slippery or rocky terrain; to climb over fences and walls as necessary; to perform search activities for extended periods of time; to apprehend suspected criminals and to and perform all duties required in a law enforcement environment.
6. Freedom from mental disorders which would interfere with performance of duties as described.

 

Training, Experience, and Qualifications

1. Any combination of training and experience which would indicate possession of the skills, knowledge and abilities listed above.
2. Possession of a high school diploma or GED equivalency.
3. Possession of a valid State of Ohio Driver's license at time of application and throughout duration of employment, free of excessive violations.
4. Must have successfully passed all components of the examination process.
5. Ability to attend a police academy away from home for an extended period of time at the City's expense, if not commissioned at the time of hire.
6. Must maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance policy.
7. Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, background investigation, psychological examination and polygraph.
8. Must be a U.S. Citizen or possess a permanent resident card.
9. Minimum age at time of appointment is 21.
10. Hearing level of 25 db or better.
11. Vision must be correctable to 20/20 with no color blindness.
12. Excellent physical condition as defined by OSP physical fitness standards.
13. Knowledge of first aid and CPR.
14. Demonstrated proficiency in the use and care of firearms.
15. Ability to work a varied schedule on a variety of shifts.

Lateral Transfer Requirements 
In addition to the above (minus the ability to attend a police academy), lateral transfers must:

1. Possess a valid and current OPOTA certification
2. Possess a valid, unrestricted, Ohio Motor Vehicle Operator's License
3. Have a minimum of 2 consecutive years of full-time experience with no breaks in service.
4. Applicants may not have any pending disciplinary actions or investigations for misconduct or criminal activity.

Supplemental Information / Special Requirements

DISQUALIFIERS

Candidates may be disqualified or removed from the recruitment process for, but not limited to the following, at any time:

• Inability to establish minimum requirements or qualifications
• Failure to pass any of the assessments, tests or oral review board required for the position

Felony and Criminal Activity

• Conviction of or admission to any crime classified as a felony under Ohio Revised Code or any other applicable state code.
• Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude or an offense of violence.
• Deception or fraud on application or examination.
• Making false statements of material fact in the application, testing process or during any part of the hiring process.
• Use, threatened use or attempt in using political influence in securing employment.

Driving 

• Conviction of, plea of "no contest," participation in a diversion program in lieu of conviction of an OMVI or equivalent offense, or conviction which is the result of a plea bargain from an original charge of OMVI within the 36 months prior to the date of application.

Drug Use 

• Using marijuana or cannabis in any form (natural or synthetic), including medically prescribed, and in any location (domestic or foreign) with the previous twelve (12) months.
• Use of any illegal drug, other than marijuana, within the previous ten (10) years.
• Misuse of any prescription drug or legally obtained substance (e.g. inhalants, solvents, aerosols, etc.) within the previous three (3) years. 
• Using a prescription drug (not including medically prescribed marijuana) in its original intended manner without the proper prescription or legal justification in the previous 12 months.
• Illegally selling, distributing, manufacturing, or transporting drugs, marijuana or prescription drugs. When determining if candidates will be disqualified under this rule, consideration will be given to whether the substance was sold with/out profit to the applicant, the amount sold was de minimus, and if the sales occurred when the applicant was a juvenile or more than five (5) years ago. 
• Using any other abused drug (not including the bulleted list above, marijuana, prescription drugs or legally obtained substances) within the last five (5) years.

Employment 

• Dismissal from public employment for just cause.

Additional

• The individual cannot be located, fails to report for an interview or other step in the selection process as directed by the Commission or Appointing Authority and/or fails to report for duty as directed by the Appointing Authority.
• The individual has tested positive on a required drug test in that the test showed the presence of a drug of abuse as defined in Sections 3719.011 of the Ohio Revised Code in a body fluid unless such substance is identified as a prescribed medication (prescribed medication does not include medically prescribed marijuana).  This provision is only applicable to entry level applicants.
• The individual has a documented pattern of poor work habits and performance with previous employers. This includes but is not limited to excessive absenteeism, poor quality of work, excessive tardiness, and inability to get along with others in a work environment or any thefts.
• Information showing that an applicant meets all of the minimum qualifications as stated in an examination announcement must appear on the application itself. No additional information will be accepted after the application filing deadline. Failure of an applicant to indicate on his application the qualifications as to education, certification, licensing, or any other requirement shall be sufficient cause to exclude an applicant from examination. A defective or incomplete application may be corrected by the applicant and resubmitted by the filing deadline.  Certification of an individual to an eligible list who has not met all of the requirements of these rules shall not be considered a waiver of any requirements and shall not bar removal of the applicant from an eligible list by the Appointing Authority or the Commission as a result of the failure.

NEXT STEPS IN THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

After an application is submitted, candidates are invited to complete a physical agility test. The physical agility assessment is a pass/fail test in which candidates must pass all stages in order to advance. To view the physical agility assessment activities, and the minimum score for each, please click here. Afterwards, passing candidates will be invited to participate in an oral panel interview. The oral panel interview accounts for 100% of a candidate's overall score. A minimum passing score of 75% is required for the oral panel interview. Additional points will then be awarded for certified police office status, education and current military/reserve/honorable discharge status. Candidates who successfully pass all phases of the recruitment process will have their name placed on an Eligible List and shall remain on there for a period of one-year from certification by the City of Delaware Civil Service Commission.

Additional post-certification steps include completion of a background assessment waiver, BCI/FBI fingerprinting, completion of non-medical psychological indexes, completion of non-medical polygraph and interview with the Police Chief. Once a recommendation for hire has been made, candidates must successfully complete a full psychological examination, pension physical and drug screen prior to appointment.

Learn more about the compensation and benefit package by reviewing the FOP Contract.

 The class specification which appears above is intended to be sufficient merely to identify the class and be illustrative of the kinds of duties that may be assigned to the position allocated to the class and should not be interpreted to describe all of the duties which may be required of employees holding a position assigned to this class.

The City of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), the City of Delaware will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.