Patrol Sergeant

POLICE SERGEANT

General Statement of Duties

Performs supervisory and specialized advanced law enforcement work for the Town.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is assigned to specialized advanced responsibilities within the department. Work includes supervising the activities associated with a shift within the Police Department and performing law enforcement work. Supervisory responsibilities include managing the daily work activities of the assigned unit; conducting employee performance counseling and evaluation; insuring proper training; making assignments; scheduling court dates, time off, off-duty assignments and training; and providing technical direction on matters related to patrol and policing. Work is distinguished from lower level jobs by the degree of experience and training required to perform the tasks and by the degree of supervision, independent judgement and discretion exercised. Work requires the application of modern law enforcement techniques, sound judgment, and independent initiative in pursuit of work objectives. Work involves frequent public contact which requires tact, firmness, and decisiveness. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific directions from superior officers. The employee is subject to hazards associated with law enforcement including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as atmospheric conditions, noise, vibration, and physical conditions. Employee is subject to Level III OSHA Standards on blood borne pathogens. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through observation and review of reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

Supervises all activities on a shift within the Police Department; assists in communicating department vision, mission, and philosophy of law enforcement; reviews officer reports; conducts performance evaluation and performance coaching; ensures efficiency and effectiveness of patrol activities; reviews records and reports completed by assigned officers for accuracy and thoroughness.

Schedules staff; approves leave; recommends and schedules staff training; participates in planning and/or conducting in-service training; locates and schedules replacement staff for leave or training absences; schedules court dates, off-duty assignments and time off; works shifts for officers away for training or leave.

Oversees proper use and maintenance of vehicles, weapons, uniforms, equipment and supplies; insures staff are properly equipped.

May participate in or perform field training for new officers.

Leads staff in community policing and community relations; establishes effective relationships with merchants and others; patrols on foot; checks door locks on night shift.

Leads staff in conducting a variety of criminal investigations; interviews witnesses and suspects; works cooperatively with other law enforcement agencies; prepares reports and processes evidence; presents testimony in court; interprets and applies various criminal laws; follows appropriate criminal process and court cases.

Determines assignments and appropriate response to the variety of calls which may be forwarded; provides technical advice on how to respond in certain situations; and, ensures proper approach on sensitive work assignments; backs up officers; reviews and approves incident reports.

Participates in patrol functions to include responding to calls; investigates accidents and provides traffic control; checks streetlights and logs maintenance needs; serves papers; makes arrests; identifies, collects, and preserves physical evidence; and, prepares written reports of patrol activities.

Cooperates with local citizens, members of other local, state, and federal law enforcement and investigative agencies in the identification, location, apprehension, and arrest of offenders and in the investigation of criminal activities.

May participate in hiring or promotional processes.

May give input or provide research on budget development.

Conducts shift or platoon briefing; communicates policies, procedures and administrative directives; prepares a variety of records and reports.

Additional Job Duties

Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

● Considerable knowledge of physical, economic and social characteristics of the City.

● Considerable knowledge of modern law enforcement techniques, principles, and procedures.

● Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances pertaining to law enforcement operations and investigative procedures.

● Knowledge of investigative procedures, principles, strategies, and methods.

● Knowledge of supervisory functions and skills including leadership, motivation, communication, performance coaching and evaluation, and conflict resolution.

● Knowledge of the community policing concept.

● Working knowledge of the application of information technology to law enforcement functions.

● Some knowledge of the organization=s purchasing and personnel policies.

● Skill in the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics.

● Skill in collaborative conflict resolution principles and practices.

● Ability to perform independently investigative assignments and to apply sound investigative principles.

● Ability to work calmly under conditions of high stress and physical and emotional fatigue.

● Ability to make effective public and educational presentations.

● Ability to prepare clear and concise records and reports.

● Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms, and to present effectively in court testimony.

● Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, citizens and community leaders, and the general public.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and perform repetitive motions.

Must be able to perform very heavy work exerting 100 pounds of force occasionally, and 50 pounds of force frequently, and 20 pounds of force constantly to move an object.

Must possess the visual acuity to perform extensive reading and perform administrative, computer, and measurement work.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from high school, completion of 40 hours of supervisory training and special training in criminal investigations, and considerable experience in law enforcement; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirement

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license and completion of the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Commission for certified law enforcement officers.

Possession of the appropriate certificates as required by the Town.

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job questionnaire with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal and defensible personnel decisions.

 

Sylva 2023

 

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $43,977 per year

Benefits: 401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Vision Insurance

Schedule: 12 hour shift, Holidays, Overtime

Application Instructions:

To apply please complete and submit a Sylva Police Department Application at www.sylvapolice.org.

Please direct any questions about the position and/or agency to Assistant Chief of Police John Thomas via thomas@sylvapolice.org

Sylva is an Equal Opportunity Employer.