So you want to be a Joplin police officer

The Joplin Police Department has posted an ad looking for officers.

Description:

Under supervision, performs a variety of law enforcement work associated with patrol, traffic, safety and investigations.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this title. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Attendance and dependability.  Must maintain confidentiality. 

General Tasks and Responsibilities:

While following tasks are necessary for this position, they are not an essential part of the duties of this position and may also be performed by other employees.

• Patrols an assigned area of the City in a radio-equipped vehicle to preserve law and order, including checking businesses/residences and discovering/preventing the commission of crimes and enforcing State and municipal laws and ordinances.
• Responds to calls involving automobile accidents, robberies, assaults, fights, domestic disturbances, and other criminal/ activities and civil complaints to secure the crime scene, identify witnesses, conduct preliminary investigations, and generally re-establish law and order at the scene. 
• Takes control of a crime scene until a command staff member arrives. 
• Completes accurate and timely reports.
• Enforces traffic laws and ordinances by checking vehicle speed and issuing warnings and/or citations when violations are observed; prepares reports to document the facts of an incident and facilitates the apprehension, prosecution, and conviction of a perpetrator.
• Appears in court to present evidence and sworn testimony.
• May serve as a certified D.A.R.E. officer or a School Resource Officer, including enhancing and implementing the national curriculum for drug education for elementary students.
• May work with a K-9 partner.
• Arrests, questions, and transports suspects and/or persons with outstanding arrest warrants to City Jail facilities.
• Ensures that arrested persons are processed (booked) into jail in accordance with State and Federal guidelines and Police Department procedures.
• Prepares incident reports regarding all activities to facilitate preparation of prosecutable cases.
• Answers citizen questions regarding City of Joplin Code/ordinances and State/Federal laws.

Other Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities:

• The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description shall not to be construed as an exclusive or all inclusive list of the duties associated with this position.  
• The supervisor may on occasion assign other duties which are not specifically listed in this job description, provided the employee is qualified and certified/licensed to perform these additional functions.

General Physical Requirements:

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other law enforcement agency and regulatory agency/organization staff, City officials, criminal justice system staff, and the public.

Mathematical Ability

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

• Knowledge of City of Joplin ordinances to be enforced.
• Knowledge of State, Federal, and County statutes, codes, and ordinances to be enforced.
• Knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices, including investigation, identification, patrol, traffic control, records management, report preparation, and custody of persons and property.
• Knowledge of the equipment used in law enforcement, including weapons, communications, and automotive equipment.
• Knowledge of the location of streets and addresses in the City of Joplin.

Physical Requirements

• Requires medium to high levels of sitting, standing, walking, squatting, lifting, bending, twisting, and kneeling; requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate essential job related equipment such as vehicles, weapons, telephones, cell phones and other specialized equipment.
• Must be sighted, hearing, and mobile to such a degree as not to compromise safety rules or the safety of self and others while working.
• Requires medium to high levels of carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, and running.
• Police employees are required to meet all applicable Federal, State and Departmental physical fitness and physical training standards prior to and during employment.

Environmental Adaptability   

• Skill in understanding and interpreting complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.
• Skill in writing reports and documenting the facts and actions regarding criminal/civil incidents.
• Skill in communicating using a standard two-way radio.
• Skill in conducting investigations of criminal activities.

General Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent and possession of current Missouri P.O.S.T. certification OR possession of P.O.S.T. certification from another state and eligibility to obtain Missouri P.O.S.T. certification prior to employment.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to successfully complete a thorough background check, and successfully complete a physical exam and drug test.