PATROL LIEUTENANT

JOB SUMMARY 

Under the direction of the Chief of Police, this position is responsible for and manages the patrol duties within the police department. Employees in this class supervise and evaluate the performance of patrol personnel. This position exercises judgment and acquired knowledge in interpreting state laws, local ordinances, and departmental regulations, as well as constantly appraising the effectiveness of enforcement and providing recommendations for improvement where indicated. This position is also responsible for performing the duties of Police Officer.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supervises police officers and other assigned staff in their duties as directed.
2. Provides input and administrative support regarding scheduling and coordinating shifts and assisting with filling shifts or coordinating the filling of shifts as needed.
3. Reviews a variety of police related reports prepared by subordinate officers or others for accuracy, grammar, and professional quality.
4. Evaluates officers’ arrests based on facts, circumstances, and evidence to determine whether subject should be detained or placed in jail.
5. Manages day to day police assignments as required and based on operational necessity.
6. Makes plans about individual tactical matters such as equipment to be used for operations or the detailed plans needed for an investigation and develops new ideas and approaches to investigate problems and pursue viable solutions.
7. Advises subordinates on deployment of personnel and resources during emergency response situations.
8. Promotes and maintains professional contact with all police personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance with other agencies as provided by established MOUs or agreements with other departments or agencies, and provides general information about department activities.
9. Promotes and maintains professional contact with the public, court officials, and other city officials or personnel regarding the performance of police activities as assigned.
10. Conducts periodic planning sessions for personnel. Counsels assigned personnel on job performance and disciplinary matters to improve personnel direction and production and to help facilitate organizational growth and development which aligns with the overall goals and mission of the organization.
11. Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the city limits, obtaining evidence and compiling information regarding these crimes, assists in preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities as assigned.
12. May work uniformed shifts 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. Participates in various personnel actions such as hiring initiatives, recruitment, selection, appointments, transfers, and discipline in order to maintain an effective and efficient work force; participates in employment application screening selection and pre-employment selection process.
15. Ensures compliance of and carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City (local) laws and ordinances.
16. May patrol city streets, parks, facilities, 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 promote the department’s mission to otherwise serve and protect.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Prepares a variety of reports and records, reports of investigation, field interrogation report, alcohol reports, influence reports, affidavits, bad check form, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.
20. Assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug resistance, traffic safety, etc. and promotes the overall mission of community policing and active engagement with citizens.
21. Promotes, monitors, coordinates, and supervises the training, assignment, development of subordinate police officers. Conducts in-service training.
22. 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.
23. Manage assigned personnel and ensure continuity of Dispatch operations and compliance of staff with all federal, state, county, and city (local) laws and ordinances.
24. Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about department activities.
25. Responsible for the recruitment of police applicants for employment within the department. Monitor and gather traffic stop and arrest data pursuant to statutes banning racial profiling. Assists with coordinating and managing community outreach events, crime prevention programs, and individuals volunteering to assist- including court ordered community service.
26. Supports the relationship between the City of Commerce and the public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with other city staff, citizens of Commerce, and visitors. Maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information, consistent with City employee ethics training.
27. Responsible for the promotion of public relations, media relations, and responds to and resolves sensitive public inquiries or complaints as assigned.
28. Oversees the regular, scheduled maintenance of equipment (to include less lethal equipment and mobile recording devices), inventory and fleet management maintenance, care, and usage. Promotes compliance with associated policies in the maintenance and care of city-owned property and vehicles.
29. Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Coordinates and supervises the training, assignment, development of subordinate police officers.
• Analyzes and recommends improvements to equipment and facilities, as needed.
• Assists in the development of and manages assigned operating budget; approves expenditures; recommends budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Schedules and conducts meetings as necessary.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. High school diploma, or equivalent supplemented by a two-year community college degree or vocational school training in police sciences, law enforcement, criminal justice administration, public administration, or a closely related field; and
2. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited University with a degree in Criminal Justice or other related field is preferred but not required.
3. Completion of the basic law enforcement training academy or equivalent; and
4. Minimum of five (5) years’ work experience as a fully commissioned police officer, at least three of which shall have been in a supervisory position; or
5. An equivalent combination of education and experience.
6. Possession of or ability to obtain Advanced Peace Officer Proficiency Certification within 1 year of assignment.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Thorough knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations.
2. Ability and credible experience supervising subordinate personnel, performing work requiring good physical condition, communicating effectively, establishing and maintain effective working relationship with subordinates, peers and supervisors; exercising sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions, and following and give verbal and written instructions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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.
• Ability to meet departments physical standards.
• Completion of the following Emergency Management courses via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 700(a), ICS 800(b), ICS 300, ICS 400 or the ability to complete all within 1 year of hire.
• Ability to obtain other relative certifications as necessary to carry out functions.
• Must be able to work shift work to include potential holidays, weekends, or after hours for special events, meetings or during emergency situations as required.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, ASP baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, first aid equipment, and other equipment.

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 sitting, talking, hearing, using hands to finger, handle or operate objects, controls or tools and reaching with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, or 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 occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry more than 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 frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

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; psychological examination; physical agility; drug screening; other job-related tests may be required; 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.

The City of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing fair and equal treatment of all applicants for employment without regard to age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.