Police Officer

***Certified applicants may qualify for higher starting salary, and/or other incentives, depending on years of service. Certified applicants are also NOT required to undergo the physical fitness assessment required for entry-level positions, and are therefore NOT required to obtain a CHIP card prior to applying.***

Apply online - https://www.westhartfordct.gov/town-departments/human-resources/job-openings

Job Purpose

This is general duty police work involving responsibility for the protection of life and property; the prevention, detection and investigation of crime; and for maintaining law and order. Assignments are received from higher-ranking officers and are carried out in accordance with established police rules and procedures. Police Officers must use their own judgment and act without supervision in meeting emergencies. Work is reviewed through reports, on-the-job inspection and observations.

Job Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach and stretch with hands and arms with a full range of motion such as firing a weapon, applying handcuffs, writing reports, and maintaining target practice skills. The employee may be required to run and/or walk/run for a distance. The employee may need to forcibly enter buildings, perform evasive maneuvers in restraining a suspect, jump down from elevated surfaces, pull self up and over obstacles, or climb over obstacles lower than six feet. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, jump, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl through small openings and confined spaces, talk and/or smell. The employee must perform strenuous or peak physical efforts during periods of emergency; push/pull/lift objects occasionally; and routinely perform simple motor skills such as directing traffic. The employee occasionally performs moderately difficult manipulative skills such as handcuffing a resisting party.

The employee must be able to see objects far away, as in driving, and closely, as in typing a report. The employee must be able to discriminate colors and have a minimum corrected vision of 20/30.

The employee must be able to hear normal sounds with some background noise; distinguish voice patterns and communicate through human speech, as in communicating with people one on one within the community or via police radio or telephone. The noise level in the working environment is usually moderate, except during certain Police activities when noise levels may be loud.

The employee regularly concentrates on moderate details with frequent interruption; and remembers multiple tasks/assignments for extended periods of time, understands and relates to specific ideas, often and several at a time.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions with exposure to extremes of hot and cold temperatures. The employee may be exposed to blood, body tissues, or fluids and other hazardous waste materials other than blood.

The employee may be required to work rotating shifts, and is considered essential emergency personnel. Any personnel in this position are required to work during emergency situations and are subject to be recalled to work at any time.

Essential Job Functions

· Patrols areas on foot, police vehicle, or on bicycle or motorcycle, if qualified and assigned, ensuring citizens adhere to local, state and federal ordinances, statutes, and laws.

· Responds to complaints, calls for police assistance, and reports of crime.

· Intervenes during human relations conflicts to provide for security of life and property; assists parties in resolving conflicts; and makes referrals to other agencies, as appropriate.

· Pursues suspects and conducts search and seizure; provides for safety of prisoners and others, including the use appropriate physical force to control unruly prisoners or resisting suspects.

· Maintains continuous enforcement of motor vehicle laws, criminal statutes, and local ordinances.

· Maintains traffic safety; directs traffic, assists motorists with disabled vehicles, stops motor vehicle law violators and issues warnings and tickets; apprehends impaired motorists and those otherwise driving unsafely; responds to motor vehicle accidents and provides for safety of victims and oncoming motorists.

· Minimizes injury and harm to victims of illness, accidents, or crimes by operating as first responder.

· Investigates crimes, suspicious events and traffic accidents; secures scenes, interviews witnesses, collects evidence, takes measurements, and photographs, and draws diagrams.

· Processes prisoners; writes reports and memos on cases, complaints and investigations.

· Investigates crimes, suspicious events and traffic accidents; secures scene, interviews witnesses, collects evidence, takes measurements and photographs, draws diagrams; prepares written reports for the Prosecuting Attorney, presenting all of the facts pertaining to a particular crime.

· Testifies in court and presents evidence.

· Reports unsafe and hazardous conditions while on patrol. May be assigned to perform predominantly traffic accident investigations and the conduct of safety programs while detailed to the Traffic Division.

· May be assigned to perform predominantly front desk, dispatch and clerical duties at Police Headquarters.

· Maintains confidentiality of records and information, as appropriate.

Additional Work Responsibilities

· May conduct or assist in conducting investigations and surveillances.

· Appears before special interest groups to speak on various aspects of police work.

· Performs other duties as established by the Police Officer Standards & Training Council.

· Performs related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

Knowledge of state traffic laws, state statutes and Town ordinances.

Knowledge of human behavior.

Knowledge of the geography of the town and the location of important buildings.

Knowledge of first-aid methods.

Knowledge of English, usage, grammar and spelling.

Ability to observe situations analytically and objectively and to record the information gathered in a complete and clear manner.

Ability to react quickly and effectively in emergencies and stressful situations.

Ability to use self-defense skills and standard police weapons.

Ability to complete the physical aspects of recruit training and maintain physical fitness to perform the essential functions of the position.

Ability to learn and apply modern methods of crime detection and prevention.

Ability to deal firmly but courteously with the public.

Ability to interact effectively and courteously with persons of widely varied ethnic, religious, social and economic backgrounds.

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

Ability to understand and execute written and oral instructions; ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.

Ability to attend work punctually and regularly.

Sufficient physical strength and agility to defend oneself or to subdue a violent person.

Ability to wear bullet resistant vest, service weapon and other police equipment on one’s person.

Ability to sit at a desk or in a vehicle or stand at an assigned location and work continuously for extended periods of time.

Ability to safely operate a police vehicle while on routine patrol and in emergency situations.

• Age: Must be twenty-one (21) years of age
• Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Experience: No experience necessary

License: Applicants must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving history in accordance with the Town of West Hartford’s Safe Driving Record policy. An individual may not be considered for appointment if he or she has had a major violation conviction within a three year period; four or more motor vehicle violations other than major within a three year period; or suspension or revocation of a license for any reason in the past five years. A valid Connecticut Driver’s License is required at the time of appointment (hire date).

Citizenship Requirement: Candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Physical Examination: *Must meet departmental physical fitness standards at the 40th percentile level, certified through CHIP, Inc., prior to application. *As evidence, a copy of valid CHIP scores must accompany application materials (certified applicants are not required to to obtain CHIP, Inc. certification, and may apply without CHIP scores). A post-offer, pre-employment physical examination is required prior to appointment in accordance with departmental standards.

Drug Testing: Candidates shall be required to submit to a drug test as part of the pre-employment medical examination. Applicants must complete the Drug Testing Supplement to the Employment Application. Failure to do so will automatically disqualify your application for the position.

_Non-Smoking Requirement: *Due to the physical demands of this position, the Town of West Hartford requires that all qualified candidates certify that they are non-smokers. Applicants must complete the*_Non-Smoking Statement **as part of the application process and candidates must have refrained from smoking for at least the past six (6) months.

Body Art: As a condition of obtaining and continuing employment with the Town of West Hartford Police Department, all Police Officers shall adhere to standards regarding Body Art. Applicants must complete the Body Art Acknowledgement. Failure to do so will automatically disqualify your application for the position.

Character Requirement: **Candidates must meet the highest legal and ethical standards. No applicant will be accepted with any drug related conviction, felony conviction, conviction for any Class A or Class B misdemeanor or any conviction for domestic violence.** Candidates will undergo a rigorous background investigation, including a polygraph, before any offer of employment. An applicant may be disqualified for poor employment history, recent use of illegal drugs, or previously undetected criminal activity. Any omission, falsification, fabrication, lie or misleading statement will automatically result in disqualification from further consideration with Town of West Hartford.