Police Officer – Decatur

Reports to: Police Lieutenant/Sergeant
Department: Police
Starting Salary:
$43,534 (HS diploma and no P.O.S.T. certification)
$45,739 (GA P.O.S.T. certified OR four-year college degree)
$48,048-$54,371 (Depending on number of years GA P.O.S.T. certified AND four-year college degree)

*In addition to the increased starting salary, officers hired under the lateral entry program who have at least 3-5 years of qualified experience will earn vacation leave at an accelerated rate.

Purpose of Work:
This position is responsible for protecting life and property and enforcing laws and ordinances. Work involves routine patrol that includes responding to emergency calls, citizen complaints and alarms. Duties include preliminary investigations, special detail assignments, administrative duties and other related tasks. Work requires independent judgment and discretion in difficult or unusual situations, and involves an element of personal danger.

Major Responsibilities:
Leadership– Demonstrates a positive attitude, while creating a productive, motivating, and ethical work environment. Promotes development of leadership, management and technical skills for self and other employees. Contributes to a high performance work culture. Demonstrates a commitment to safety and ensures the delivery of quality services.

Effective Management– Provides responsive and timely feedback on status and progress of work to supervisors and other peers. Reports unsecured buildings, vehicles or equipment. Routinely inspects roadways, bridges, traffic signals and signs to find and report hazardous conditions. Investigates traffic accidents by establishing point of impact, interviewing witnesses and collecting, preserving and packaging evidence. Maintains assigned uniform, vehicle and equipment in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

Teamwork– Provides excellent customer service through cooperative and collaborative team and individual efforts. Builds effective working relationships with coworkers and other City staff to develop a culture of teamwork, and cultivates positive relationships with the general public. Assists fire and emergency medical services in treating and transporting victims. Performs work under the direct supervision of the Lieutenant/Sergeant.

Quality Service– Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills. Patrols the City to provide a visible deterrent in uniform and in marked cars to enforce laws and ordinances and protect life and property. Monitors commercial and residential areas for signs of criminal activity and patrols for suspicious persons or vehicles. Enforces traffic laws through the issuance of traffic citations and warnings. Responds to calls for assistance, disturbance and complaints of crimes. Conducts initial investigations, gathers evidence, takes statements and complies with relevant legal requirements. Interviews suspects, victims and witnesses in accordance with relevant legislation. Attends and provides evidence in court and at other hearings. Attends community meetings to discuss crime problems. Able to drive vehicles under hazardous and emergency conditions. May be required to perform strenuous physical activities. Serves as first responder to provide aid and assistance to victims of traffic and other accidents. Protects the civil rights of persons in custody. Detects impaired drivers and performs sobriety evaluations. Issues citations and failure to obey summons. Enforces federal, state and local laws by performing warrant, felony or misdemeanor arrests. Enforces leash law ordinances and may serve as an Animal Control Officer. Performs all other related work duties as assigned or necessary.

Pre-Requisites & Physical Requirements:
Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and a U.S. Citizen. Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree preferred. Must have a valid State of Georgia Driver’s License (Class C) with a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR). Must have no felony convictions. Ability to complete the Department Driver Training Program and possesses the ability to drive and operate the department’s assigned vehicles and equipment in a safe and efficient manner. Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, the geography of the City and the location of important buildings and areas. Must be free of any physical, emotional or mental condition, which will adversely affect ability to perform the duties or exercise the powers of a Police Officer. Must be able to pass pre-employment physical and drug screen.

Ability to lift and carry objects (10-50 lbs.), stand, sit, bend, squat, twist, crawl, climb, grasp and manipulate tools and equipment. Ability to perform work in various situations and settings, may include hazardous conditions.

Other Requirements:
Possesses skill, or has the ability to develop skill, in the use of firearms. Ability to learn law enforcement methods, procedures and techniques and to apply such knowledge to specific situations. Ability to deal courteously and fairly with the public. Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.

Non-certified candidates must successfully complete state-mandated basic police officer training (P.O.S.T.) within twelve (12) months from start date of employment. Ability to pass a pre-employment physical examination including drug screening. Candidates must also complete a written practical exam, voice stress analyzer, psychological exam, and a physical agility test.