PATROL SERGEANT

JOB SUMMARY

Performs a variety of routine and complex public safety work in the performance and administration of police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related law enforcement activities. Exercises general supervision over police officers and other staff as assigned.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supervises police officers and other assigned staff in their duties.
2. Provides input for scheduling and coordinating of shift changes.
3. Reviews a variety of police-related reports prepared by subordinate officers or others for correctness, accuracy, and professional appearance.
4. Evaluates officers’ arrests based on circumstances and evidence to determine whether subject will be detained or placed in jail.
5. Makes day‑to‑day police assignments as required by the needs of the service.
6. Makes plans about individual tactical matters such as equipment to be used for particular operations or the detailed plans needed for an investigation. Develops new approaches to investigate problems.
7. Advises subordinates on deployment of personnel during emergency responses.
8. Maintains contact with all police personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provide general information about Department activities.
9. Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police activities, as assigned.
10. Conducts periodic performance evaluation and planning sessions for assigned personnel. Counsels assigned personnel on job performance and disciplinary matters to improve personnel direction and production.
11. Personally participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits, obtaining evidences and compiling information regarding these crimes, assists in preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.
12. Works a uniformed shift in the performance of security patrols, traffic control, investigation and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
13. Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.
14. Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.
15. Patrols City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, routinely check buildings, and watch areas, control vehicular traffic prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations and to otherwise serve and protect.
16. Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law enforcement action.
17. Interrogates suspects, witnesses and drivers; preserves evidence; arrests violators; investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents; summons ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles; takes measurements and draws diagrams of scene; conducts follow‑up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift; seeks out and questions victim, witnesses and suspects; develops leads and tips; searches scene of crimes for clues; analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders; Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
18. Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer’s Daily Assignment, reports of investigation, field interrogation report, alcohol reports, influence reports, affidavits, bad check form, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.
19. Assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug resistance, traffic safety, etc.
20. Coordinates and supervises the training, assignment, development of subordinate police officers.
21. Coordinates activities with supervisors or other City departments, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney, Court Administrator, and County and District Attorneys regarding cases, policies and procedures.
22. Performs all other duties as required or as assigned by leadership within Police department. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

General:

• Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment;
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any State;
• Felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years are not allowed;
• Must be a U.S. citizen;
• Must be able to read and write the English language;
• Must be of sound moral character and of temperate habits;
• Must have the ability to meet Department’s physical agility standards and perform physical requirements necessary for this position
• Must be TCOLE certified
• Knowledge of court procedures
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of Code of Criminal Procedures, specifically regarding laws governing Class ‘C’ misdemeanors.
• Knowledge in deciphering court judgments
• Possess skill in utilizing a personal computer and associated software programs
• Ability to operate a computer keyboard and other basic office equipment
• Ability to interpret court documents and understand legal terminology
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and orally
• Ability to perform customer service.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, judges and the general public

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma;
• Completion of a minimum of State of Texas basic law enforcement-training academy or equivalent;
• Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience in law enforcement.  A minimum of five years of law enforcement experience as a fully commissioned officer is preferable.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment
• Skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below;
• Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel;
• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations;
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in decision-making skills;
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions;
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below
• Ability to learn and retain geographical information about the City of Commerce

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and any Family Violence Convictions.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Law Enforcement vehicle, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, baton, handcuffs, first aid equipment, Computer/laptop, fax/scan/print machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work involves standing, sitting, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reaching with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and smell.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must frequently push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in inside and outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in precarious places, potentially with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to noisy.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

A copy of the City’s Step & Grade/Pay plan regarding compensation can be found online at: https://commercetx.org/open-data/#146-personnel

The City of Commerce offers a competitive benefits package including a contributory retirement plan, medical, dental and vision insurance for City employees paid for 100% by the employer, life and disability insurance, and paid time off.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required; drug screen; final selection and pre-employment medical examination.  NOTE:  Appointees will be subject to completion of a standard probationary period.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The City of Commerce is an “at will” employer.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

All applicants for this position are required to complete and submit the Commerce Police Department (CPD) Personal History Statement (PHS). By submitting this application, candidate agrees to return the PHS to Sergeant David Wallace at the Commerce Police Department within two weeks of application submission. For further questions pertaining to the PHS, please contact Sergeant David Wallace.

Please note, applicants who submit a generic PHS or standardized template will not be considered for employment. Please utilize the above attachment for completing your CPD Personal History Statement.