Police Officer

General Statement of Duties:

To perform responsible law enforcement duties, to patrol an assigned district to prevent crime, arrest violators of law, protect life and property, investigate traffic accidents, control traffic and maintain law and order, to take command in the absence of a superior officer and to perform related work as required.

Supervision Received:

Work is performed under the supervision of a Sergeant or other superior officer who assigns and reviews work for conformance with departmental orders and regulations.

Essential Job Functions:

• Affect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using physical techniques, handcuff and other restraints.
• Climb over obstacles; climb through openings; jump down from elevated surfaces; jump over obstacles, ditches and fences; and crawl in confined areas to pursue, search, investigate and/or rescue.
• Communicate effectively over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications, often under adverse conditions such as siren usage and high speed vehicle operations.
• Conduct searches of buildings and large outdoor areas which may involve walking and/or standing for long periods of time and which requires the ability to distinguish color and perceive shapes.
• Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
• Enter and exit vehicles quickly to perform rescue operations, pursue a suspect or answer an emergency call.
• Exercise independent judgment within legal guidelines, to determine when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest and when force may be used and to what degree.
• Gather information in criminal investigations by interviewing an obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects and confidential informants.
• Load, unload, aim and fire handguns, shotguns and other agency firearms from a variety of body positions in situations that justify the use of deadly force while maintaining emotional control under extreme stress.
• Manage interpersonal conflicts to maintain order.
• Operate an emergency vehicle during both the day and night; in emergency and pursuit situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits while exercising due care and caution and in exception to traffic control devices and in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions and environmental conditions such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.
• Perform law enforcement patrol functions while working rotating shifts and unanticipated overtime.
• Perform tasks which require lifting, carrying or dragging people or heavy objects while performing arrest, rescue or general patrol functions.
• Perform searches of persons which involve touching and feeling to detect potential weapons and contraband.
• Prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
• Pursue fleeing suspects on foot both day and night in unfamiliar terrain or surroundings.
• Read and comprehend rules, regulations, policies, procedures and the law for purposes of ensuring appropriate officer behavior/response and performing enforcement activities involving the public.
• Subdue resisting subjects using hands and feet while employing defensive tactic maneuvers or approved non lethal weapons techniques.
• Use bodily force to gain entrance through barriers to search, seize, investigate and/or rescue.
• Perform other essential tasks as identified by the Ferndale Police Department or the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Training Council’s Job-Task Analysis.

Desirable Qualifications for Employment:

• Must have a valid operator’s license.
• Must have two years of college credit.
• Must be in excellent health; eyes corrected to 20/20.
• Must be free from criminal background.
• Must have passed the M.L.E.O.T.C. reading and physical tests.
• Reasonable knowledge of State and Local Laws and ordinances.
• Reasonable knowledge of the geography, streets and important locations in Ferndale.
• Reasonable knowledge of modern police practices and procedures.
• Reasonable knowledge of traffic rules and regulations.
• Skill or ability to attain skill in the use of firearms.
• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to prepare accurate, written records and reports.
• Mental alertness and good powers of observation.
• Good physical condition, strength and agility.
• Ability to work effectively with other employees and the public.