Patrol Corporal

POSITION TITLE: Patrol Corporal

DEPARTMENT: Freeport Police Department

RATE CLASS: Hourly

REPORTS TO: Patrol Sergeant

SHIFT: 12-hour shift

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Possess at least a high school diploma or GED; Minimum 21 years of age; Possess a valid driver's license with good driving history; Licensed by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement; Pass a physical agility and written test, and oral board.

Candidates must have at least 2 years law enforcement experience. May not be under Internal Investigation, no disciplinary action of Written Reprimand or higher in the prior 12 months, and may not be on city probation. Overall performance evaluation score must be at least satisfactory for the prior 12 months. Must have the ability to communicate well with general public, supervisors, and co-workers.

Preferred qualifications may include: Intermediate Peace Officer Certification or higher, Basic Instructor, and Field Training Officer.

JOB SUMMARY: The Patrol Corporal aids the Patrol Sergeant in performing first line supervision for patrol functions and Officers. The Patrol Corporal takes the place of the shift supervisor in the absence of the Patrol Sergeant. Enforce laws; preserve peace; protect life and property; investigate crime; apprehend lawbreakers; and provide community service.

SPECIAL SKILLS: Problem solving, observational, teamwork, writing, math, computer, and self-management skills; be mature, levelheaded, honest, intelligent, cooperative, courteous, and dependable. Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard operating procedures and regulations. Skilled in the operation of job specific tools and equipment. Ability to perform work requiring good physical conditions, ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluation situations and in making decisions, ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel, ability to effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions, establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public and the ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

DUTIES & RESPOSIBILITIES:

• The Patrol Corporal will perform the duties as a Patrol Officer (see Patrol Officer Job Description) with supervisor authority while a Patrol Sergeant is on duty. In absence of the Patrol Sergeant, the Patrol Corporal will assume the responsibilities of the Patrol Sergeant.
• Performs a variety of routine and complex public safety work in the performance and administration of police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related law enforcement activities.
• Reviews a variety of police related reports prepared by subordinate officers or others.
• Maintains contact with all police personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provide general information about Department activities.
• Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police activities, as assigned.
• Conducts periodic performance evaluation and planning sessions for assigned personnel. Counsels assigned personnel on job performance and disciplinary matters.
• Patrol Corporals patrol City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations; and to otherwise serve and protect.
• Coordinates and supervises the training, assignment, development of subordinate police officers.
• Coordinates activities with supervisors or other city departments, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney, Court Administrator, Municipal Prosecutor's Office, County and District Prosecutor's Office regarding cases, policies and procedures.
• Using excellent customer service skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the general public.
• Assures efficient performance of assigned staff.
• Makes decisions regarding assignment of subordinate staff and the investigation of incidents during the shift.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Freeport Police Department policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, directing work, appraising performance, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Does related work as directed.
• Conforms to the oral and written policies of the Freeport Police Department.
• Required to perform shift work including days, evenings, and nights including weekends and holidays.
Required to work on any shift as assigned by administrative staff.

OTHER DUTIES: This job description is intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the Patrol Corporal and is not intended to be all-inclusive. All employees are expected to perform tasks as assigned by their supervisor; furthermore, working hours may be extended in times of necessity.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical: Must possess the ability to lift objects, bending, stooping, crawling, standing, and walking for extended periods of time. Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple, not continuous adjustments, such as squad car, restraint devices, computer terminal, first aid equipment, and camera. Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements such as data entry. Ability to exert moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sound and odors associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.

Mental: Emergency or non-traditional work hours will be necessary. Must maintain the ability to work under pressure with numerous distractions while maintaining good ethics and public service skills in adverse circumstances.

All municipal employees will be expected to show and maintain a high level of initiative, enthusiasm, and motivation towards the improvement of ALL aspects of the Freeport community. Employees will also be expected to be available for work, to report to work in a dependable and timely fashion, and to be physically and mentally fit to do their assigned work.