PATROL OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION

QUINCY POLICE DEPARTMENT

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

 Job Analysis

 Position Title:                    Patrol Officer

 Division:                            Operations

 Immediate Supervisor:       Patrol Sergeant

 Employees Supervised:      DNA

 Span of Control:                DNA

 Probationary Period:          Eighteen Months

 Status:                               Sworn officer ‑ permanent rank of Patrol Officer

      I.  Essential Functions, Responsibilities and Tasks:

          A.  The Patrol Officer is one of the primary employees in performing the

                mission of the organization and delivering the services of the Department

                to the general public.  Such duties performed include but are not limited

                to:

               1.  Performing general police work involving the protection of life and  

                    property, preserving the peace, enforcement of laws, investigation

                    of crimes, and performing other police related assignments and

                    activities on an assigned shift or in an assigned unit.;

               2.  Patrolling a designated area of the City by radio equipped car, 

                     motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot, to prevent, discover, and deter

                     the commission of crimes, to enforce criminal and traffic laws and

                     parking regulations of the City and State, provides crowd control

                     and vehicular/pedestrian traffic direction as needed for various

                     public gatherings and events, crime and/or incident scenes;

               3.  Responding to all calls and complaints involving fire, automobile

                     accidents, domestic and neighborhood disturbances, assaults,

                     robberies, thefts criminal damages and other misdemeanors and

                     felonies whether a suspect is known or not;

               4.  Performing self-initiated activities, responding to radio, MDC or

                     telephone calls for service to many types of public safety incidents,

                     and taking such action as is appropriate to the situation;

               5.  Performing safety and security checks of public facilities; residential,

                     business and industrial areas, rendering assistance to the general

                     public, including helping stranded motorists, providing information,

                     performing security escorts, delivering emergency messages, giving

                     directions, removing/reporting road hazards, performing vacation

                     house checks,

               6.  Reporting hazardous conditions to the appropriate authorities and

                    summoning other emergency services as needed such as medical

                    and/or fire assistance and when necessary providing first aid, CPR,

                    and/or extinguishing small fires by appropriate means.  Participating

                     in rescue operations of natural and/or man-made disasters, etc.);

               7.  Participating in daily roll call, unless otherwise engaged in police

                    duties, recording all appropriate information relayed, attending

                     training sessions and departmental meetings as may be required;

                8.  Responsible for, either through self discovery or through assignment,

                     conducting thorough preliminary and/or follow-up investigations,

                     of all adult and/or juvenile criminal and non-criminal incidents, traffic

                     accidents, traffic law violations and other complaints or calls for

                      service and assessing each individual case to determine the

                      appropriate action to be taken including making arrests, issuing

                      citations and/or making referrals where appropriate and consistent

                      with departmental procedure. 

                      a.  Investigations may include identifying and interviewing

                           complainants, victims and/or witnesses, interrogating suspects,

                            identifying, collecting, photographing and preserving evidence,

                            submitting evidence for possible use in court and/or for analysis,

                            securing scenes for pending further investigation, and completing

                            all required reports and forms and submitting them to the

                            appropriate person in a timely manner;

               9.  Locating missing persons, patrolling places where children may  

                    gather so as to investigate or identify suspicious persons or activities

                    that might be of danger to children, engaging in community oriented

                    policing activities, making routine contact and developing rapport

                    with residents, business owners, visitors, etc., making presentations

                     regarding such topics as crime prevention, drug and gang avoidance,

                     traffic safety, etc., and maintaining a courteous and professional

                    demeanor when interacting with all members of the public;

            10.  Establishing sources of intelligence and information, conducting

                    inquiries of suspicious events and persons, observing and searching

                    the scene of a crime  for physical evidence, collecting,

                    photographing, and/or preserving evidence found for possible use

                    in future legal proceedings, obtaining and/or assists in serving

                    search warrants, completing special investigations when assigned,

                    locating wanted persons, determining sufficiency of probable

                    cause for warrantless arrests or validity of arrest warrants, making

                    warrantless arrests and serving arrest warrants, transporting

                    prisoners to various locations, completing all necessary booking 

                    paperwork and processes, completing all necessary case,

                    investigation or arrest  paperwork in such detail as is needed for

                    prosecution, preparing for and  serving as a witness in court cases

                    and obeying all lawful subpoenas;

             11.  Providing back-up support to other officers, maintaining contact

                     with other officers, supervisors, other governmental departments,

                     and other law enforcement and criminal justice agencies as needed

                     to coordinate activities, exchanging information, providing general

                     information about departmental activities, and providing mutual

                     assistance during emergency situations, requesting specialized

                     assistance, as may be required, to handle specific problems

                     encountered, i.e. Crime Scene Technician, Detective, CIT officer,

                     etc;

              12.  Performing specialized assignments or duties as may be assigned

                     by the Chief of Police, superiors or other competent authority,

                     remaining obedient and responsible to all verbal and written orders

                     issued by superiors and to all work assignments or duties

                     transmitted to the officer by authorized persons, answering and

                     executing all orders from 911 dispatchers as if they were a direct

                     order from a superior officer, notifying or updating dispatch

                     either by radio, MDC or telephone of their location, the reason

                     and/or any  pertinent information for being out of service, on any

                     self initiated call for service such as a vehicle stop, out with a

                     subject, building check, etc. as well as all assigned requests for

                     police service.

             13.  Completing and submitting all reports, documentation, forms and

                     any other paperwork required for all aspects of the job and

                     associated duties i.e. case reports, training evaluations, mileage

                     tickets, etc. prior to the end of their tour of duty;

              14.  Inspecting and maintaining the operational condition of departmental

                     uniforms and equipment issued and used by them during the

                     performance of their duties including vehicles, radar guns, Mobile 

                     Data Computers, cameras, etc., replenishing exhausted supplies, 

                     keeping department facilities clean and reporting any problems or

                     maintenance  needs to the appropriate authorities

              15.  Participating in training classes to gain/maintain required duty related

                     knowledge and skills, maintaining a working knowledge of

                     departmental  policies, procedures, rules and regulations and any 

                     changes made to them, attending Departmental meetings as directed,

                      performing all job duties, in  accordance with federal and state

                      law/regulations, city ordinances and Departmental policies,

                      procedures, rules and regulations, in order to achieve Departmental

                      goals and objectives;

             16.  May serve as a department instructor, Field Training Officer,

                    Officer-in-Charge (in the absence of ranking officers), as a member 

                     of specific department units or as a member of various committees,

                     teams or boards;

                        17.  Performing such other duties as may be required by state law, city

                     ordinances, departmental rules and policies, or as may be assigned

                     by a superior officer.

        II.  Essential Qualifications and Selection Criteria:

              A.  Successful completion of the twelfth grade or certification equivalent

                    (GED),  must meet all requirements required for application process

                     and successfully complete all aspects of the hiring process, 

                     appointment to the rank of PatrolOfficer by the Board of Fire and 

                     Police Commission, certification as a PoliceOfficer in the State of

                     Illinois, and successful completion of the department'sField Training.

               B.  Requires physical strength and mobility sufficient to perform all

                     essential functions of the job and to meet police duty requirements

                     such as tostand/walk for extended periods of time in order to

                     perform guard duty, directtraffic, conduct riot or crowd control or

                     security missions, to drive a squad carsometimes for extended

                     periods of time, to walk, run, jump, climb stairs, get in and out of a

                     squad car without assistance so as to meet police duty requirements.

                    Additionally required is the ability to see in order to identify violators,

                     recognizeviolations of the law, to see and identify potential dangers

                     to oneself, otherofficers or members of the public, to lift and/or drag

                     heavy objects in order to be capable of carrying an uncooperative

                     arrestee or to move an injured or unconscious person and the ability

                     to hear in order to recognize human speech, commands, orders,

                     instructions, noises, emergency sirens, and calls for help or

                     assistanceto/from the public and other officers.

               C.  Requires the ability to speak fluent English to citizens and others and

                     to be able to understand the English language when spoken to, to

                     read and understand written communications in the English language

                     and to be able towrite and be understood by citizens, supervisors

                     and peers in the English language.

               D.  Requires the ability to establish a working knowledge of the

                     geography of the City of Quincy, thoroughfares, common locations, 

                     adjoining jurisdictions and location of important buildings, to

                     establish a working knowledge of pertinent federal and state laws

                     and municipal ordinances in order to enforce all criminal and

                     traffic laws and to establish a working knowledge various skills

                     required to perform the duties of the job such as first aid and CPR

                     and to beable to administer such skills when necessary.

               E.  Requires the ability to work in all types and extremes of weather,

                     temperatureand lighting conditions, indoors and outdoors, tight or

                     close areas, heights or subterranean areas, various types of terrain

                     or landscapes either dry or wet, in circumstances that might

                     constitute personal danger, i.e. fires, smoke, chemical  leaks/spills,

                     armed and/or dangerous persons/animals, persons and/or articles

                     with contagious/communicable diseases, or other hazards associated 

                     with natural or man made disasters, to effectively deal with the

                     morbid, the macabre, the repugnant, the abnormal, the morose, the 

                     psychotic, the neurotic, and the otherwise unpleasant or unusual

                     facets or results of human behavior. 

               F.  Requires the ability to analyze situations, to adopt a quick, effective

                     and reasonable course of action, to act quickly, calmly and

                     decisively in emergencies and under stress, to speak clearly, to

                     give precise and understandable directions, to communicate

                     effectively both verbally and non-verbally, to make a forceful,

                     physical arrest and/or to be able to defend oneself or another from

                     physical attack before or during a forceful arrest, to search,

                     control and restrain an arrestee both by verbal commands and 

                     physical force, including the use of deadly force, if necessary to 

                     maintain order, apprehendviolators of the law, preserve the public

                     peace and prevent crime to use good discretion, to deal  

                     courteously, but firmly with the public, and to handle situations

                     tactfully and impartially.

               G.  Requires the ability to obtain an Illinois Driver's License and to

                     maintain avalid license through entire career.  (A record of

                     suspension and/or revocation so as to show disrespect for the law

                     may exclude an applicant or be the subject of discipline or

                     discharge), to establish and maintain a record of honesty and

                     respect for the law and departmental rules and regulations in order 

                     to establish credibility and ability to testify in court under oath, and

                     be believed both in oral testimony or written reports and documents

               H.  Requires the ability to prepare clear, concise, comprehensive and

                      legible written and/or typed reports, and/or simple diagrams, to

                      understand andrespond quickly and accurately to written and oral 

                      directions, instructions,inquiries, requests, and/or orders,

               I.  Requires the ability to drive a car and talk on a mobile radio 

                    microphone or portable radio and/or conduct a foot pursuit and use

                    a portable radio to relay present locations, conditions, and other

                    information including being able to provide descriptions of suspects,

                    clothing, automobiles, etc. and to be specific with details such

                    as sizes, shapes, colors, etc. 

                J.  Requires the ability to learn to operate and become proficient with 

                    equipment required to perform the duties of a police officer as well

                    as to communicate with dispatchers, supervisors, peers and the

                    public such as a mobile radio, a portable radio, a telephone, a

                    cellular phone, a Mobile Data Computer, officeequipment.

               K.  Requires a history free of alcohol abuse (that would indicate an

                     inability tomaintain sobriety on the job or a lack of respect for the

                     law or pose a direct threat the health or safety of him/herself, other

                     individuals in the workplace, members of the public, or to property)

                     and illegal use of drugs, either prescription or nonprescription drugs,

                     (that would show a lack of respect for the law or that would pose a 

                     direct threat to the health or safety of him/herself, other individuals in

                     the workplace, members of the public, or to property), also a lack

                     of dependence upon any legally prescribed drugs or use of any

                     legally prescribed drugs that would prevent the performance of the 

                     essential functionsof the job.

               L.  Requires a history of emotional stability, absence of reality distortion,

                     appropriate judgment, ability to remain calm in stressful situations,

                     good workhabits, psychological stability, absence of

                     psychopathology, appropriate judgment and decision making,

                     absence of excessive anger and suspiciousness, and sufficient

                     intellectual capacity to perform all essential functions of the job,

                     or does not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of him/herself, 

                     other individuals in the workplace, members of the public, or to

                     property.

              M.  Requires the ability to meet the department's attendance

                     requirements as prescribed by department policy and rules as to

                     time and place to report for duty so as to provide the employer

                     with reasonably regular, predictable attendance, to establish and

                     maintain effective relationships with staff, fellow workers and the

                     general public and a desire to follow the Rules and Regulations

                     and Policies and Procedures of the Quincy Police Department

               N.  Requires the ability to use department issued handguns, shotguns,

                     rifles, teargas propulsion systems, ASP batons, riot batons,

                     handcuffs and any other lethal or non-lethal weapon or equipment

                     and possess ability to qualify with such lethal or non-lethal weapons

                     or equipment as required by the department.

               O.  Requires the ability to complete a Field Training Program Course

                     of in service instruction as prescribed by the department in the Field 

                     Training ProgramManual and to continue training by attending

                     training classes, meetings, schools, etc. which may require travel

                     and staying outside of Quincy

               P.  Requires the ability to work various shifts, hours, holidays and days

                     of theweek as assigned or required or to work overtime hours, days 

                     off or vacationdays, with just compensation, as may be necessary to

                     carry out the requirements of the police mission

       III.  Work Conditions:

               A.  The majority of job tasks associated with this position are  

                     performedoutsidewhile working from a patrol vehicle or other

                     conveyance and will vary by shift. Few tasks require heavy lifting,

                     pushing, pulling, or   carrying heavy loads. Flexibility is important

                     because of the need toenter and exit vehicles frequently, inspect

                     buildings, climb over and around obstacles and move quickly to

                     avoid dangers.  Mental alertness is very important because of the

                     need to disseminateand make quick decisions concerning subtle

                     cues of impendingdanger or to discover inconsistencies in

                     suspect's statements, circumstances, etc.  Physical and mental

                     demands may change dramaticallywithin a matter of seconds;

                     therefore, officers mustmaintain a physical and mental state of

                     fitness and readiness that will enable them to handle (with minimal

                     force and often withoutbackup) recurrent contacts and involvement

                     with dangerous and potentially dangerous people, animals,

                     situations and equipment. This position involves regular and

                     irregular shift work necessary to provide police services 24 hours

                     a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year  including weekends and

                     holidays. Work shifts may be extended due to work loads,

                     emergencies, disasters,officer shortages, or other good causes.

        IV.  Removal:

               A.  Officers can be removed with or without fault of the officer or the 

                     agency. Reasons for termination may include, but are not limited

                     to, economic conditions which cause a reduction in work force; the 

                     officer's inability toattend work regularly; chronic illness; failure to

                     competently perform any of the critical tasks of the position; failure

                     to support the agency's mission; or behavior which brings disrepute

                     to the agency or undermines the public trustin the police department.

   Nothing in this Section shall be construed as limiting the authority of the Chief of  

   Police and/or a Superior Officer from assigning such functions or responsibilities

   as are necessary to establish and maintain maximum departmental efficiency and

   effectiveness.

Return to Top