This position is open until filled. 

Position Purpose

Police Officers are responsible for performing a variety of duties related to the protection of life and property, enforcement of criminal and traffic law and city ordinances, prevention of crime, preservation of the public peace, apprehension of criminals and calls for service.  Included in the duties above are patrolling, investigation, traffic regulation, community relations and other law enforcement activities.

Essential Functions

• Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols and checks, traffic control details, investigative work, first aid at accidents, criminal behavior detection, and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
• Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding the best course of action to be taken when handling difficult and challenging emergency situations without assistance.
• Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies, complicated situations, and any concerns related to precedent or practices.
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the relevant federal, state and local laws, statutes and ordinances in order to ensure action in accordance with legal requirements.
• Patrols City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations and to otherwise serve and protect the public.
• Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, and any other calls that require police presence ensuring that the appropriate law enforcement action is taken.
• Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summons ambulances, fire department and other law enforcement vehicles as necessary.  Take measurements, photograph scene and draw diagrams of scene.  Assist in the collection of evidence and any other law enforcement activities necessary at these scenes.
• Conduct follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned patrol shift. Seeks out and questions comprehensively the victim, any witnesses to the crime. 
• Question potential suspects when warnings given. Develops leads and tips to assist with the investigation of the crime. Searches crime scenes for any leads or evidence. Analyze and evaluate evidence of a crime and arrest offenders if required.  Prepare and review all cases for giving testimony and testifying in court proceedings.
• Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer’s Daily Log, calls for service reports, offense reports, arrest reports, accident reports, evidence log, assault victim documentation, field interrogation report, DWI reports, intoxilyzer report, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.
• Understands the importance of all paperwork as it relates to court submissions and that these cases are the responsibility of the respective officer who must be available by phone (if not present) to answer should a situation related to a case become urgent in nature (called to court, last minute testimony, case needing correction for immediate submission etc.)
• Undertakes community oriented police work to include assisting citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles when feasible, crime prevention programs, drug abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, collaboration with area schools for presentation purposes, partnership in internship programs, extra patrol requests and any other activities related.
• Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits which may include obtaining and processing evidence, compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.
• Assist in preserving the integrity of a crime scene including producing a crime scene entry log and when instructed assisting the Detectives in the recovery of evidence, handling and processing it as instructed, photographing it for reporting purposes and securing it as specified in policy and procedure.
• Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchange information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtain advice from the City Attorney (upon direction), Court Clerk, and Municipal Prosecutor’s Office regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
• Maintain contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities.
• Develops proficiency with all the software record management systems to minimize error and ensure accurate reporting and data entry.

Secondary Functions

• Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operation activities.
• Serves as a member of various employee committees.
• Serves as field training officer when assigned.
• Responsible for the training and development of new recruits.
• Responsible for training and demonstrating all department duties, procedures and responsibilities to new recruits throughout their eight week training program.
• Responsible for the ceremonial escort of the color (US and Texas Flag) for public events.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Capital and/or Fiscal Responsibility

• Responsible for adhering to all City of South Padre Island Purchasing Policies while performing purchasing tasks.

Credentials (minimum preferred)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Some knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
• Skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below.
• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and be proficient in oral and written communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers and supervisors.
• Ability to exercise sound and sensible judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
• Ability to follow both verbal commands and written directives.
• Ability to learn the City’s geography.
• Ability to meet department’s physical standards.

Formal Education/Certification/Licenses

• High school diploma or equivalent supplemented by a two-year community college degree or vocational school training in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any State.
• Successful completion of State Basic Training Academy.
• Must be TCOLE Certified.
• Must complete a Field Training Officer certification course.
• Must possess a Class C Texas Driver’s License.
• To participate in Motorcycle patrol the employee must possess a class MC Texas Drivers License and have satisfactory completed a motorcycle certification course.
• Must complete a motorcycle certification course.

Prior Experience

• Twenty-four (24) months of full time paid service as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience, equivalency to be determined by the City.

Language Requirements

• Bilingual: Spanish and English preferred.

Tools and Equipment Used

Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun, expandable baton, handcuffs, Intoxilyzer, first aid equipment, MDVR, AED, ticket writer, computers, night vision equipment, gas mask, flashlight, taser, RMS computer system, mobile RMS/CAD, metal detectors, body cameras, fingerprint equipment including LiveScan, credit card machine, camera, motorcycle (when qualified), ATV, bicycle, mules, auto recharger pack and other equipment prescribed by the Police Department.

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 frequently required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to one hundred (100) pounds (drag a person to safety), physically restrain and chase after someone (stamina).  Must be able to do the above with a bulletproof vest on, which can weigh anywhere from six (6) to ten (10) pounds and a duty belt which can weigh anywhere from twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) pounds when stocked with all appropriate gear.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

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 works in outside weather conditions, an air-conditioned office environment and in a vehicle.  The employee occasionally works 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 quiet while in the office and moderately noisy while in the field.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.