Police Officer I (Non- Certified Applicants)

Safety/Security Status:         Safety Sensitive

SUMMARY Depending on assignment, officer is responsible for the protection of life and property; crime prevention; apprehension of criminals; follow-up investigation on reported crimes; undercover narcotics investigations; maintaining property room; crime scene technicians; traffic enforcement; and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change in order to meet City needs or operational requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position. Other duties may be assigned.

When Assigned to Uniform

Patrols assigned areas of the City for the purpose of law enforcement control. Responds to calls from telecommunicators and public requests, such as accidents, disturbances, or crimes.

Provides assistance to victims, witnesses, and the general public.

Investigates incidents and accidents involving traffic. Takes statements from witnesses and conducts preliminary investigations, directs traffic, and issues citations to violators.

Performs escort duties to special processions.

Responds to burglar alarm calls. Proceeds cautiously to the scene and requests assistance if necessary.

Checks building s for signs of illegal entry, enters buildings to search for perpetrators, contact Criminal Investigation Division (CID) when location is secure.

Operates the “Intoxalier” on intoxicated suspects. Takes readings and results and informs suspects of their intoxication level.

Reads suspects their legal rights at the time of arrest.

Prepares reports and maintain case files on arrests that they have made or investigations they are involved in.

Maintains equipment and vehicles assigned to them.

As required, assists other law enforcement agencies with the apprehension of wanted persons.

Operates police department vehicles in a safe and responsible manner.

Controls crowds at public gatherings.

Investigates causes and results of accident. Directs and reroutes traffic around fire or other disruptions.

Warns or arrests persons violating animal ordinances.

Issues warnings and tickets to traffic violators.

Performs specialized and directed patrols as assigned. Performs other duties as assigned.

When Assigned to Warrants

Maintains warrant files and has primary responsibility for their completeness.

Coordinates warrant actions with surrounding agencies for the service of warrants inside and outside the City.

Informs wanted persons of misdemeanor and traffic warrants held for surrender at the police department.

Performs other warrants duties as assigned.

When Assigned to CID

Conducts the necessary follow-up investigation on assigned criminal cases. 

Assists in determining scope, timing, and direction of investigation.

Investigates known or suspected criminal activity for clues. Investigates crimes and questions witnesses.

When assigned, investigates and maintains the department’s files involving registered sex offenders.

When assigned, conducts matters involving juvenile related crimes. (See description for Juvenile assignment) 

Develops and uses informants to get leads to information.

Obtains evidence or establishes facts by interviewing, observing, and interrogating suspects and witnesses and analyzing records.

Examines scene of crime to obtain clues and gather evidence.

Verifies information obtained to establish accuracy and authenticity of facts and evidence.

As required, maintains surveillance’s and performs undercover assignments.

Obtains and uses search and arrest warrants. Arrests or assists in arrest of criminals or suspects.

Presents findings in clear, logical, impartial, and properly documented reports. Reports critical information to and coordinates activities with other offices or agencies when applicable.

Testifies in courts as required.

When Assigned to Crime Scene Technician

While at the crime scene, the technician will be under the supervision of a criminal investigator.

Will provide various types of photography; crime scene searching (ie: tool marks, latent fingerprints, serology items, and other trace evidence as required); and crime scene sketching as needed at a crime scene.

Will provide necessary searching for evidence items, such as tool marks, latent fingerprints, serology items, and other trace evidence as required.

Will collect all evidence located at a crime scene and properly mark and package all such items.  

Will be prepared to testify in all court proceedings involving the aforementioned job tasks. 

Will assist in maintaining the security and integrity of the evidence locker by properly receiving evidence from patrol officers, establishing a chain of custody, assisting with proper storage and transport evidence to State Crime Laboratory.

Will maintain liaison with the State Crime Laboratory and assist with audits of the evidence locker. Will assist with the disposal of property.

Performs other related duties as assigned.  

When Assigned to Training

Works with captains and lieutenants to assess training needs and schedule training classes as needed.

Conducts orientation with new officers to assimilate them into the department.

Meets with citizens, schools,  and private and civic organizations to provide programs of interest to the public on all matters involving the department or community law enforcement efforts.

Prepares documents for the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST) concerning the  training readiness of officers.

Performs other duties as assigned.

When Assigned to Narcotics

Compiles identifying information on suspects charged with selling narcotics.

Maintains surveillance of suspect to detect methods of operations.

As required, acts as undercover officer to contact suspect and purchase narcotics.

Obtains police funds required to make purchase.

Submits written report containing charges, available facts, and evidence to CID Lieutenant.

Observes and photographs narcotic purchase transaction to compile evidence and protect undercover investigator.

Arrests narcotics offenders. Obtains statements for prosecution of offenders and appears in court as witness.

Works with the state and federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) task forces.

Works with law enforcement agencies in multi-jurisdiction routine and under-cover drug investigations.

Manages informants.

Proposes case files for state and federal prosecution.

Performs other duties as assigned.

When Assigned to School Resource Officer (SRO)  Coordinates all activities with the Principal, or any other staff member concerned.  Seeks permission, advice, and guidance prior to enacting any program within the school.

When requested by the Principal, the SRO shall attend as many parent/faculty meetings as possible to solicit support and understanding of the SRO program.

Available for conferences with students, parents and faculty members in order to assist them with problems of a law enforcement or crime prevention nature.

Assists the Principal and staff in developing plans and strategies to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations which may occur on school campus.

Takes law enforcement action as required. Informs Principal of any such action.

Provides assistance to other police officers in matters regarding school assignment whenever necessary.

Is expected to participate in school functions such as athletic events, dances,  Parent-Teacher Service Organization (PTSO) programs, and other school-sponsored activities when the Principal and SRO consider attendance advantageous.

Monitors hallways during all class changes and lunch periods unless involved in a situation which warrants their immediate attention.

Will be assigned lunchroom duties, hall monitors or other monitoring duties on an “Emergency Basis” and when requested by the Principal for a specific reason.

Moves around in different locations so that the students will not become familiar with location or routine.

Will prepare and present specialized lectures to classes and arrange for guest lectures on topics related to law enforcement when requested by the Principal or any member of the faculty.

When Assigned K-9

Provides daily cares of the K-9 food and water along with daily training.

Maintains all training records for the K-9 team. Also maintains all K-9 field reports for the K-9 team.

Provides weekly training with the K-9 which includes officer protection, explosive searches, drug searches,

tracking, obedience, and area searches for evidence.

Attends to the K-9 medical needs with the veterinarian.

Provides daily care and maintenance of the K-9 kennel at the residence, police department and portable kennel in

unit.

Assists the Special Response Team with any call outs and training. Maintain certification as a K-9 handler.

Ensures the K-9 meets and maintains all certification standards.

Travels and assists other law enforcement agencies as authorized by the Chief of Police.

Maintains high level of physical fitness for the handler and K-9.

Requires an “On Call” status 24 hours a day.

Maintains knowledge of explosives and narcotics.

Maintains a good working relationship with local Explosive Ordinance Disposal.

When Assigned Bomb Squad

Maintain professional liaison with other state and local Bomb Squads, Military Explosive Ordinance Disposal Units, federal agencies, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, and professional associations.

Using excellent customer service skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the general public.

Institutes work assignments and coordinates the activities of the Bomb Squad during special events and/or bomb emergencies.

Directs the activities of police officers/ fire personnel/ or other first responders at the scene of a bomb emergency.

Provides for legal, proper, and safe transportation, disposal, and storage of explosive materials.

Provides technical support to Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Hostage Negotiation Team, or Hazardous Material (HazMat).

Provides dignitary protection when requested.

Conducts post-blast investigations.

Collects and preserves evidence in accordance with Arkansas laws.

Prepares and provides courtroom testimony.

Prepares and participates in explosive related training programs.

Compiles and reports technical data on explosive devices and incidents.

Develops and promulgates bomb threat awareness and safety programs for public and private organizations.

Provides assistance to victims, witnesses, and the general public.

Performs escort duties to special processions.

Works to resolve any personnel issues before bringing them to the attention of the Operations Lieutenant.

Performs other duties as assigned or required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  None.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for some of the specialized assignments. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Some of the specialized assignments require an Associate’s degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year College or technical school and one (1) to three (3) years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

HEALTH BENEFITS     
The City of Bentonville is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees who work 30 hours per week. This year's benefits package can be viewed here:

https://www.bentonvillear.com/DocumentCenter/View/15032/City-of-Bentonville-2024-Benefits-Guide

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 is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and explosives. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.