Law Enforcement Patrol Officer/Certified

Law Enforcement Patrol Officer/Certified

Under the direct supervision of the Field Training Officer (FTO) and Shift Sergeant, this sworn law enforcement position is responsible for: the protection of the lives, property, safety, and security of the citizens and visitors of the City of La Vergne; to enforce the laws of the State of Tennessee and ordinances of the City of La Vergne; and to serve all the citizens equally and impartially with Professionalism, Integrity, Honor, and Respect, in accordance with their Oath of Honor, the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, the Canons of Law Enforcement Ethics, departmental General Orders, policies and procedures, as well as the mission and vision of the La Vergne Police Department.

• Patrol a designated area of the City by operating a patrol motor vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot for extended periods of time, in order to prevent or discover criminal activity, identify needs for community problem-solving, or as a showing of police presence as a deterrent to crime.
• Respond to and investigate various types of calls-for-service involving traffic crashes, misdemeanors, felonies, city, state, or federal offenses, nuisances, as well as other calls which benefit and provide care and concern for the citizens of La Vergne.
• Use problem-solving skills, creativity, and innovative approaches to identify citizens concerns, present options for courses of action, identify resources, plan for implementation of desired changes, and evaluate success.
• Coordinate information and resources among other department employees, public and private agencies, and citizens regarding crime problems and solutions.
• Recognize suspicious behaviors or circumstances involving persons which may indicate involvement in criminal offenses, stopping and interviewing, and completing field interview cards.
• Demonstrate and maintain the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using a calm demeanor.
• Demonstrate and maintain the ability to analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, reasonable, and legal course of action.
• This includes the ability to remain calm, composed, undistracted and in full control of cognitive abilities while functioning appropriately in hostile, dangerous or threatening situations that may require force, up to and including deadly force.
• Must be able to maintain rational, cognitive decision-making abilities and self-control in situations or environments that may be personally offensive or which involve considerable stress, danger, personal risk, violence or hostility.
• This includes the ability to exercise restraint when verbally or physically provoked.
• Interact with a variety of people functioning under various emotional states in order to manage interpersonal conflicts, resolve or stop criminal activity, obtain or provide information, or counsel and give aid to maintain order or provide service.
• Promotes good will by talking casually with people, answering questions, giving directions or information, referring citizens to other or the appropriate service agency, and learning of situations requiring police action or intervention in order to gain the confidence and support of community members.
• Examines ill or injured persons, and administers the appropriate first-aid treatment in order to prevent further injury or loss of life, up to and including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
• Directs or re-routes vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic at emergency scenes, high volume traffic locations, schools, or special events, using hand signals or flashlight, in order to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicle operators, and the smooth and safe flow of traffic.
• Must be familiar with computers and computer systems, especially Microsoft Office, and quickly learn the use of LPD Law Enforcement Records Management System Software (LERMS) and Mobile Reporting Software. The majority of reports will be done electronically, including the reporting of traffic crashes, searching criminal justice databases, reporting incidents and criminal offenses, recording and processing evidence, etc.
• Must demonstrate and maintain the ability to walk, run, jump or dodge obstacles, climb stairs, fences and ladders in pursuit of fleeing suspects.
• Patrol Officers must also demonstrate and maintain the ability to lift, drag, push or pull people or objects (including motor vehicles), and the ability to use restraining devices and hands/feet for self defense.
• Every sworn member shall demonstrate and maintain a high level of proficiency with the operation of pistols, shotguns, and rifles, in addition to various technologies and other tools.
• Works a variety of shifts, days off, holidays, special events, must stay-over during emergencies, inclement weather, disaster, personnel shortage, workload, or work-in-progress.
• Personnel in this position are also subject to on-call scheduling on a regular basis.
• Photograph crime scenes, victims, autopsies, traffic crashes, property damage, stolen property, arson scenes, measure and map crime and traffic crash scenes, and complete detailed logs and reports.
• Respond to a morgue or medical facility to photograph, fingerprint and recover trace or physical evidence from deceased or surviving persons, including bodily tissue and/or fluids.
• Properly collect, preserve, package, and transport physical evidence from crime scenes, so as to facilitate its maximum potential for use in subsequent criminal or civil proceedings and ensure the chain of evidence / custody is not compromised.
• Perform preliminary tests on drugs and narcotics in the proper manner to identify the type drug or narcotic, as well as measure the approximate weight, amount or dosage unit, and ensure measuring devices are calibrated properly.
• Provide input to the District Attorney General Office regarding the submittal of photographic evidence, physical evidence and diagrams, and testify in criminal and civil courts, pretrial conferences and Grand Juries.
• Assist with the serving of search warrants, undercover operations and surveillance operations to collect photographic, audio and/or video evidence of such operations, and to serve arrest warrants.
• Works in conjunction with criminal investigators and other sworn members in regards to evidentiary matters and maintains confidentiality of investigations and information concerning suspects, defendants, etc.

• Shall be a United States citizen (certified Birth Certificate or other certified legal document if naturalized).
• Must be 21 years-of-age by the application closing date.
• Shall have graduated from an accredited High School or obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education.
• It is preferred, not required, that applicants have a minimum of an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, or closely related field, or 64 semester hours in such field with at least 2.5 GPA or higher.
• No applicant shall be considered if they have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States, and a certified DD214 shall be submitted to verify such.
• No applicant shall have any misdemeanor or felony conviction that prohibits the carrying of any illegal firearm.
• Must have a valid Driver License on the date of application, and a valid Tennessee Driver License by the hire date, with a minimum of five (5) years of driving experience, and no loss of driving privileges in the prior five (5) years, and no more than two (2) minor traffic violations or two at-fault traffic crashes in the prior three (3) years.
• All applicants will have an in-depth background investigation conducted by the LPD Criminal Investigation Division, and have no history of any felony arrest, nor have been convicted of or pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any charge, or to any violation of any Federal or State laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances; nor to any misdemeanor arrest involving moral turpitude; and no arrest for D.U.I. in the prior ten (10) years.
• If previously employed by a TN certifiable agency, must be within two (2) years from academy graduation date.If you are TN P.O.S.T. certified, must be within five (5) years from last date of employment.
• Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician;
• Have been certified by a Tennessee Licensed Health Care Provider qualified in the

  psychiatric or psychological fields as being free from any impairment, as set forth in the

  current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of

  the American Psychiatric Association at the time of the examination, that would, in the

  professional judgment of the examiner, affect the person’s ability to perform an

  essential function of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Must successfully complete LPD Pre-Academy and LPD Field Training Program

• Must have a history of lawful conduct.
• Must possess high standards of honesty and integrity as demonstrated by the applicant dealings with individuals and organizations.
• Falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting information on any required document or during the selection process will be closely scrutinized.
• Must be willing to perform all duties in all weather conditions and other less-than-desirable conditions such as: decomposing and/or mutilated bodies, strong and unpleasant odors, insects, hostility, emotionally charged situations, child and animal victims; work with, around, and in smoke and fire, bio-hazards and chemical environments, hazardous materials, etc.; and, will be required to successfully complete training for all these situations, as well as wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• This position requires the employee to be an organized person who can meet time schedules, deadlines and maintains a very high level of personal integrity, have good judgment, be able to effectively communicate both orally and in written form.
• Possess the La Vergne Police Department Values on and off-duty, support the Mission and Vision of the Department, and interact with other employees in a manner conducive to good work performance and positive morale of the Department.
• The above Job Functions and Competencies are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. They are intended to be accurate summaries of what this job classification involves and what is required to perform this job.