Police Officer (Certified)

The Police Officer protects life and property of the citizens of Milton and provides for the management of conflict through the enforcement of applicable federal and state laws and city ordinances. Work typically involves responsibility for the prevention, detection and investigation of crimes; maintaining order; patrolling assigned areas; enforcing traffic regulations; conducting accident, criminal and other investigations; effecting arrests, possibly utilizing reasonable physical force or control; and performing related special assignments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

When assigned to Uniform Patrol:

• Patrols a designated area of the City during an assigned shift, in order to preserve order, to prevent and discover the commission of crimes, to manage conflict, to solve problems and to enforce traffic regulations. Responds to calls and complaints regarding traffic accidents, domestic situations, robberies, fires, disturbances, incidents involving juveniles and other potential police related issues. 
• Directs traffic; serves warrants; makes arrests and processes prisoners which may involve the use of reasonable physical force or control.
• Conducts preliminary law enforcement investigation at the scenes of crimes and/or accidents. Gathers evidence, locates and questions witnesses and provide aid and support to victims.
• Detains, apprehends, and arrests, criminal suspects and law violators when necessary; follows proper procedures when making arrests; transports arrestees to detention centers and oversees booking.
• Investigates vehicle accidents, including hit and run accidents. Determines if criminal negligence is involved and make arrests or write citations as required.
• Maintains the peace through the mediation of disputes individuals or groups. Maintains effective communication with both individuals and groups within the community.
• Prepares detailed reports related to assignments. 

• Investigates crimes against persons (e.g. murder, assault, manslaughter, etc.) and crimes against property (e.g. theft, burglary, damage to property). Responds to crime scenes; interviews victims and witnesses; interrogates suspects; seeks evidence and requests technical identification and laboratory assistance as required. Arrest(s) person or persons suspected of the crime.  Conducts investigations and/or surveillance in a uniform, plainclothes, or undercover capacity as needed. 
• Directs and documents the activities of confidential informants.
• Serves warrants; makes arrests and processes prisoners which may involve the use of reasonable physical force or control.
• Investigates complaints involving juveniles, reports of child neglect and persons reported to be contributing to the delinquency of minors.   Discusses law enforcement problems with juveniles and parents to determine effective courses of action.  Refers juveniles to other authorities when appropriate.
• Prepares detailed written reports containing results of investigations and interviews; and testifies as a witness in court as required.
• May be assigned to a Task Force or other special assignments and perform related duties as assigned.

• Develops and maintains a comprehensive public outreach program.
• Coordinates staff in the achievement of these public outreach programs and goals through scheduling, conducting in-service training and other programs to support community safety.

• Conducts accident reconstruction of serious injury and fatality accidents.
• Investigates traffic complaints and conducts necessary follow up with complainants.
• Provide community traffic safety education.
• Operates Unmanned Aircraft Systems to assist in evidence gathering.
• Assists Uniform Patrol in answering calls for service, as needed.
• Assists with Crossing guard duties, as needed. 
• Enforces school zone traffic laws. 
• Manages and maintains traffic enforcement equipment. 
• Investigates all city owned equipment involved in traffic accidents. 

• Performs other related duties as required.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: 
 
Required High School diploma (or GED equivalent).  Must maintain required level of proficiency and certification in the use of firearms and evasive action/driving skills and possess a valid driver’s license and satisfactory motor vehicle record.  Must maintain Georgia P.O.S.T. certification.

Scope and Impact: 
 
Considerable initiative and independent judgment are expected in resolving day-to-day problems, even where clear-cut guidelines are not available.  Position has recurring work situations that involve having a very high degree of discretion. The need for accuracy and effective utilization of accepted programs and routines is high. Errors in judgment will waste resources and adversely impact performance. Work priorities are determined by the incumbent and then reviewed and agreed upon by the direct manager.

Communications/Customer Contact: 
 
Frequently in contact with supervisor, other members of  the department, city employees, Mayor, council members, and external vendors.  Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with people in a courteous, tactful, and fair manner under all conditions. Ability to provide information and explanations of the processes and procedures of the department and municipal government to employees, city staff, and management.

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above position description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
 
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position, and those duties may change, be eliminated, or expanded in accordance with the needs of the City of Milton. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor and in compliance with federal and State laws and applicable regulations.
 
The City of Milton is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or retaliate against job applicants or employees on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, military service, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, religion or on the basis of any other protected category. Job applicants and employees may request reasonable accommodations, in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some essential job requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
 
Requirements listed in this description are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/ or abilities required to perform this position successfully, and the applicant and/or employee must possess the listed abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Continued employment with the City of Milton remains on an "at-will" basis. This description does not create a property interest, an employment agreement, or alter the terms and conditions of any other policy or agreement that may be in effect now or in the future.

Automatic Disqualifiers: 

These additional minimum standard requirements are mandated at the discretion of the City of Milton and the Chief of Police. An applicant will be disqualified if he/she has any of the following:

• Any felony conviction 
• Any misdemeanor conviction (other than minor traffic violations) within the past five (5) years 
• Any conviction of more than three (3) moving violations in the past three (3) years 
• Any driver’s license suspension as referenced in Georgia Code § 40-5-52 (concerning other states) within the past 12 months, § 40-5-54 (concerning certain convicted offenses) within the past 12 months, § 40-5-55 (concerning implied consent) within the past five years, § 40-5-56 (concerning failure to respond to a citation) within the past 12 months, § 40-5-57 (concerning assessment of points) within the past 12 months, § 40-5-75 (concerning marijuana conviction) within the past five years. Other suspensions will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 
• Any Dishonorable, General, or Other than Honorable Discharge from any branch of the Armed Forces • On probation or parole with any city, county, state or federal agency for any offense 
• Has used, tried, tasted, experimented with, delivered or possessed marijuana within two (2) years prior to submitting this application 
• Has lifetime use, tried, tasted, experimented with, delivered, sold, or possessed any illegal drug that would constitute a felony violation of Georgia State Law, whether detected or undetected 
• Two or more convictions or pleas of nolo contendere for driving under the influence within a candidate's lifetime, or one or more convictions or pleas of nolo contendere for driving under the influence within five (5) years of the application date 
• A lifetime conviction or plea of nolo contendere for the traffic offenses of hit-and-run, homicide by vehicle, attempting to elude or habitual violator as defined by Georgia law or other similar state laws regardless of law titles 
• Any lifetime convictions of any offenses of moral turpitude, disrespect for law enforcement officials, crimes of an aggravated nature, sexual offenses, domestic violence, crimes against children, or any violation involving drug sale, distribution, or manufacture 
• Any conviction or plea of nolo contendere for reckless driving or racing within a two (2) year period prior to the application date as defined by Georgia law or other similar state laws regardless of law titles 
• Has used any prescription drug or legally obtainable substance in a manner for which it was not intended within the past two (2) years
• A demonstrated pattern of abusing prescription medication 
• Refuses to submit to a polygraph or Computer Voice Stress Analyzer Examination 
• Currently under active investigation, either administrative or criminal, by federal, state, or local authorities, or under investigation by P.O.S.T. 
• Refuses to submit to a physical examination by a doctor chosen by the City of Milton 
• Refuses to submit to a physical agility test 
• Refuses to submit to drug and alcohol screening 
• Refuses to submit to a psychological screening examination 
• Resigned in lieu of termination from another public safety agency 
• Terminated for cause from another public safety agency 
• Any misrepresentation or omission of any material fact on the application; during the background investigation; or in any phase of the selection process shall disqualify the applicant. If an investigation discloses a willful misrepresentation, omission, or falsification, the application will be rejected and may be permanently disqualified from applying in the future for any position with the Milton Police Department.

Potential Disqualifiers:

These final minimum standard requirements are mandated at the discretion of the City of Milton and the Chief of Police. The following list may cause disqualification of the applicant:
• Currently on probation with P.O.S.T., or on probation upon rehire
• Released from another public safety agency during probationary period
• Driving record that indicates a pattern of unsafe driving
• Discipline history indicating a pattern of negative work performance at past employers

If at any time during the application process one or more of the above listed factors becomes applicable – such as the applicant is arrested, taken into custody, detained for investigation, charged with a crime by any police agency or state/federal attorney’s officer, or declares bankruptcy – the applicant must immediately notify the recruiting contact or background investigator conducting his or her background investigation. The applicant is responsible for providing complete information and any or all reports, records or other documentation related to any factor discovered that requires further review or evaluation. The application will be temporarily suspended until all requested information is received.