Lateral Police Officer

Under specified supervision, performs a variety of public safety functions to serve and protect the community and to provide for the enforcement of federal, state and municipal law.

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Provides a variety of law enforcement services including patrolling streets and other public places on an assigned shift.

Performs activities associated with investigations and crime prevention; writes detailed police reports; collects physical evidence. Assists with filing cases; testifies in court.

Provides information, assistance or directions to the public; emphasizes community policing through public meetings and speaking directly with citizens; performs a variety of public relations and public education duties.

Intervenes in disputes, apprehends suspects, makes arrests, issues citations, identifies witnesses, conducts preliminary investigations, and re-establishes law and order at the scene. Interviews and/or counsels involved parties such as witnesses, suspects, students, and parents. Prepares documentation of activities performed and information gathered. Follows up on cases. Protects and preserves crime scenes.

Responds to calls for assistance, including assaults, fights, domestic disturbances, thefts, traffic accidents and traffic control, and other criminal or civil complaints; transports prisoners to detention facilities as necessary.

Interacts with other jurisdictions, law enforcement agencies and courts of law.

Researches and completes special projects, such as policy and municipal ordinance development.

Works a varying schedule and/or shift.

May photograph and/or sketch crime scenes and accidents.

May serve in the public schools as a School Resource Officer. May serve as a member of the Crime Enforcement Reduction Team (CERT), SWAT team, traffic unit technical accident investigator or motorcycle officer and/or Crisis Negotiation Team. May serve as a field training officer, acting field supervisor, police training instructor, or recruit academy coordinator.

May be required to work overtime.

Performs work that requires the use of specified respiratory equipment that guards against exposure to airborne hazards. Complies with all Municipal, State and Federal physical requirements as per Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) guidelines.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:
High school diploma or GED, must be at least 21 years of age. Must have at least two years of Police patrol experience. Outside experience will be evaluated to determine the extent of equivalency to the duties of a Thornton Police Officer.

Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) certificate required.

Valid Colorado driver's license with a safe driving record.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.
Knowledge of Constitutional rights, Colorado Revised Statutes, Thornton Municipal Code, and Model Traffic Code.
Knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices and techniques of patrol, investigation, surveillance, court procedures, community relations, weapon use, traffic control, report preparation, and custody of persons and property.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
Knowledge of and ability to apply appropriate self-defense techniques.
Knowledge of the boundaries, streets, neighborhoods, and business areas of the city of Thornton.
Skill in the proper use of standard law enforcement equipment including weaponry, communications equipment, surveillance equipment, safety equipment, and laser and radar guns.
Skill in the safe and lawful operation of assigned police vehicles.
Ability to successfully complete all medical and fit testing as required for the use of personal protective respiratory equipment.
Ability to wear SCBA gear and/or respiratory protection.
Ability to apply departmental policies and procedures to police duties.
Ability to comprehend and apply ordinances, statutes, laws and higher court rulings applicable to law enforcement activities and responsibilities.
Ability to apply police science skills and techniques to assigned duties in patrol, traffic, investigation or laboratory activities.
Ability to testify in court.
Ability to physically protect oneself and others in threatening situations, and the ability to subdue and control individuals as required.
Ability to prepare accurate and concise reports and records that may be used as evidence in courts of law.
Ability to learn photography and forensic skills if assigned to investigations.
Ability to use standard office equipment, personal computer and job-related computer applications including electronic mail.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively with various audiences.
Ability to research, develop and lead formal and informal presentations and discussions with diverse groups.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with city employees, supervisors, the general public, other jurisdictions and court officials.
Ability to enforce ordinances, statutes and laws fairly, firmly and impartially.

Physical and Mental Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to balance, sit, stand, reach, walk, run, stoop, kneel, crouch, push, pull, lift, twist, demonstrate manual dexterity, grasp, talk, hear, and see. The employee must be able to physically restrain combative individuals. The employee is required to comply with all physical requirements of SCBA and/or any other respiratory protection equipment including passing all medical and fit testing. The employee is required to work regular shifts, stay alert during prolonged periods of stationary or repetitive activity and to remain calm during stressful or possibly life-threatening situations.

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.