Police Officer

JOB VACANCY POSTING

Police Officer Posting No: 26-021 Posting Dates: Open Date: 11/03/2026 Close Date: 12/31/2026 Eligibility: OpenSystem: 7K Non-ExemptDepartment: PoliceImmediate Supervisor: Police Sergeant BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE JOB: Protects the lives and property of the citizens of the community and provides for the welfare through crime prevention activities, aggressive investigation of laws and ordinances, including the recovery and preservation of evidence. Becomes familiar with criminal personalities, their practices, associates, and places frequented and assists in the prosecution of offenders by providing testimony.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent.

• Enforces laws and ordinances by ticketing traffic law violators, writing citations and offense reports and arresting offenders.
• Protects citizens by patrolling businesses and residential areas and looking for suspicious persons or events.
• May perform other duties by serving warrants, subpoenas, transporting prisoners, testifying in court, training new recruits, completing computer work, purchasing supplies, investigating crime scenes, collecting evidence.
• Documents enforcement and investigation efforts through complete and concise reports, obtains statements from witnesses and confessions from suspects, prepares affidavits and criminal complaints.
• Testifies before civil and criminal courts. Transports and guards prisoners and witnesses.
• Performs Crime Prevention presentations by providing materials to Neighborhood Watch Groups, Senior Citizens and youth in the community, conducts summer Crime Prevention Programs and conducts Crime Prevention Presentations.
• Identifies collects and preserves evidence. Fingerprints and photographs crime scenes. Recovers and returns stolen and lost property.
• Works with community groups to promote good public relations and to inform citizens of police activities and procedures, crime prevention programs and safety techniques. Directs the public to proper authorities or agencies in relation to specific needs.
• May be appointed to provide structured police training on a daily basis according to the respective program phase. Documents on a daily basis the appropriate performance level designator for each evaluation category based upon the assigned trainee's performance Daily Observation Report.
• Completes the filing of criminal offenses by drafting and executing probable cause arrest warrants and search warrants, preparing supplemental investigative cases files, prepares criminal case packets, completes state required reporting forms and maintaining the sex offender registration program.
• Responds to tactical calls by assisting the tactical team with warrant service and barricaded person recovery. Train with the team on new techniques and skills, if assigned to tactical team.
• Processes Jail inmates and city applicants for fingerprints, photographs and background information.
• Attends in-service and specialized schools.
• Maintains a police presence at schools by issuing citations to students, arresting students committing a criminal offense, patrolling the school campus, acting as advisor to the drug free program, acting as mediator during confrontations and communicating with the staff and parents.
• Regular attendance is required. Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTSFormal Education:

High School Diploma/GED and additional training at the Police Academy. Experience:Under and including one year experience is required. Other Requirements:The City reserves the right to allow an employee to obtain licenses/certifications during a reasonable timeframe agreed to in writing (unless otherwise prohibited or limited by law) as a condition of continued employment. Failure to obtain the licenses/certifications as agreed will result in termination. Basic Police officer Certification Valid Texas Operator Driver's License Reading:Work requires the ability to read reports, memos, general orders, codes, laws and policies, legal documents and manuals. Math:Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations. Writing:Work requires the ability to write reports, employee evaluations, citations and letters. Complexity:Duties require the ability to determine the sequence of events at crime scenes and communicate with citizens. Managerial:N/A Supervisory:Duties may require supervisory duties in the absence of the Sergeant for the following: Police Cadets (1-3)Dispatchers (1-2) Interpersonal:Duties require the ability to communicate with the public, provide information, make recommendations, solve problems and negotiate compromises. Other Behaviors & Competencies:Initiative, creativity, problem solving, decision-making, motivation, punctuality/attendance, analytical/conceptual thinking, safety awareness, ability to communicate, organizational awareness, relationship building, accountability, adaptability, customer service orientation, teamwork and leadership. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, behaviors, and competencies required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change by the City Government as the needs and requirements of the job change and the latest changes may not be reflected on this version. FLSA: 7K Non-Exempt, full-time Salary: Depending on Qualifications/Experience Certified under 2 years: Starting $62,000 NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must complete and submit a City of Decatur Employment Application between the job posting dates. The City of Decatur does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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