Police Officer

Requires successful post-offer completion of a background investigation, polygraph exam, psychological exam, physical exam, and drug test as a condition of employment with the City of Joplin.

Must be 21 years of age, a United States citizen, with no felony convictions or misdemeanor domestic violence convictions. Must be in compliance with department policy on tattoos, piercings and gauges. Must be able to work a variety of shifts; subject to call-in as needed. Successful completion of annual qualifications and department mandated training is required. Specialized assignments may require additional qualifications, certifications and licensure, based on the assignment.

Primary Purpose

Under general supervision, performs uniformed law enforcement duties within the city limits including business and residence checks, discovering and preventing the commission of crimes, and enforcing State, and City laws and ordinances.

Essential Job Functions
Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different
positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential
functions of the job. Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.

Other Duties

• Attends and participates effectively at departmental staff meetings.
• Maintains the confidentiality of file, records, reports as required by law, City policy and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of: Federal, State, County, and City statutes, codes, and ordinances applicable to law enforcement; law enforcement principles and practices including investigation, identification, patrol, traffic control, records management, report preparation, and custody of persons and property; equipment used in law enforcement including weaponry, communications, and automotive equipment; location of streets and addresses in the city; Microsoft Office Suite.

Skill in: Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other law enforcement agency and regulatory agency/organization staff, City officials, criminal justice system staff, and the public; understanding and interpreting complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, and standards; writing accurate reports and documenting the facts and actions regarding criminal/civil incidents; communicating using a standard two-way radio; customer service and conflict resolution.

Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent required. Accredited college coursework in law enforcement or related discipline is preferred but not required.

Experience: Prior law enforcement experience preferred but not required. Military service is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications: Possess and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license and Missouri POST certification for Peace Officer or possession of POST certification from another state and eligibility to obtain Missouri POST certification prior to employment.

Physical Demands Requirements and Working Conditions
This position works in both indoor and outdoor environments. Working at or from a police station requires standing in work areas; walking between work areas may be required. In an indoor environment finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in-person and over the telephone. This position may sit and operate a motor vehicle and equipment such as computers, radios, and phones inside the vehicle for a prolonged period during a shift.

Must possess the ability to stand, walk, or run for extended periods. Positions in this classification are required to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull when making arrests. Employees may be required to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 100 pounds, or heavier with the proper use of equipment. Employees must maintain specific hearing and vision requirements to ensure safety to self and others. Employees must possess physical and mental stamina to fire weapons; react and move rapidly from sedentary to active conditions in response to environmental situations; assume a variety of bodily positions and postures necessary to cover or conceal during emergency situations; respond to a physical attack and subdue an attacker or request aid. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet/and or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electrical shock; may be required to work with explosives. Employees may interact with upset members of the public or their representatives while enforcing departmental policies and procedures.