Police Officer (Lateral/Academy Trained/Academy In Progress)

Description

Under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant or Police Lieutenant, a Police Officer performs a variety of public safety duties in the enforcement of law and order.

Comprised of approximately 55 sworn and 17 civilian staff, the Cypress Police Department considers itself innovative, professional and a community-oriented law enforcement agency. The Department is organized into the following divisions: Operations, Administration, and Investigations. Assignments available to staff are: Patrol, Motors, K-9, General Investigations, Field Training Officer, Honor Guard Detail, S.W.A.T., or Crisis Negotiations Team.

Example of Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Patrol assignment in police unit, answer calls and act for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County and State laws.

Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, burglaries, deaths and other criminal incidents.

Make arrests as necessary.

Interview victims, complainants and witnesses.

Interrogate suspects/gather and preserve information.

Testify and present evidence in court; work cooperatively with other law enforcement agencies.

Prepare legible and accurate written reports on a timely basis; search, fingerprint and transport prisoners.

Direct traffic.

Maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties.

Adhere to all safety rules and regulations.

Perform other duties as required under emergency situations or as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of: Police methods and procedures; first aid and CPR techniques; criminal law with reference to apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and preservation and presentation of evidence; offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory; self-defense tactics; interviewing and interrogation techniques; safe handling and operation of all public safety equipment; and, health and safety codes pertaining to controlled substances.

Ability to: Accurately observe and remember faces, numbers, incidents and places; safely and skillfully use and care for firearms; take swift appropriate action in emergency situations requiring independent judgment; learn, understand, interpret and obey laws and regulations, including police department policies and procedures; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; understand and carry out written and oral instructions; learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system; operate modern office equipment including personal computers; maintain the established standards of performance and the physical requirements of the position; use accurate and quick independent judgment; drive and safely handle an emergency vehicle under normal and high speed situations; and, establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Experience:

LATERAL applicants must possess a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Certificate, have completed a probationary period with another California law enforcement agency and must be currently employed with that agency.

ACADEMY TRAINED applicants must have successfully completed a POST-approved police academy.

ACADEMY IN PROGRESS applicants must be currently enrolled at a POST-approved police academy.

Education: High school diploma or G.E.D. A Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration or related field from an accredited college or university is desirable.

Other Requirements:

• Minimum age of 21 at time of appointment.

• Applicant must be of good moral character, with no felony convictions.

• Must have U.S. citizenship or have filed application for citizenship.

• Must have a valid California Class "C" driver license and an acceptable driving record.

• Bilingual skills are highly desirable.

Physical Requirements:

Requires heavy lifting, carrying, climbing, running and exposure to potentially hazardous situations and environmental conditions. Applicant's vision must be 20/70 uncorrected and 20/20 corrected. Color vision must be normal. Applicant's hearing must be consistent with POST guidelines. Applicant must be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination, with weight proportion to height.

Supplemental Information

All application materials will be thoroughly screened and "the most qualified" applicants will be invited to participate in the testing process which shall consist of, but may not be limited to the following: Oral Interview (weighted 100%).

Special accommodation for legal disability if a written request accompanied by proper documentation is submitted to the Human Resources Office five days prior to testing.

Candidates must also pass the following prior to appointment as a Police Officer:

• Background Review (including a fingerprint check and polygraph examination)

• Chief's Oral Interview

• Medical Examination (including alcohol and controlled substance screening)

• Psychological Examination

CYPRESS POLICE DEPARTMENT

Employment Disqualification Standards

CRIMINAL

• Any felony conviction except as provided in Government Code 1029(b)-(e).

ILLEGAL USE OR POSSESSION OF DRUGS

• Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as an illegal opiate, hallucinogen, stimulant or depressant in the past 7 years. This includes cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, GHB, ecstasy, etc.

FINANCIAL

• A pattern, history, or irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgments, or failure to pay, etc. Exigent circumstances may be evaluated on an individual basis.

MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATIONS

• Any conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs within the past seven years of the date of application or more than one conviction of driving under the influence at any time.

ALL POLICE DEPARTMENT APPLICANTS WILL UNDERGO A THOROUGH BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION TO ENSURE CANDIDATES ARE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER (GOV'T CODE SECTION 1031). ALL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION

If you have questions about your particular situation, please contact the Cypress Police Department's Personnel and Training Bureau at (714) 229-6630.