Position Summary
The City of Oak Grove Police Department seeks a highly motivated, ethical, and community-oriented Police Officer to protect life and property through the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. This position is intended for a currently certified Kentucky law enforcement officer who is in good standing, has no employment restrictions, and is seeking employment as a Police Officer with the City of Oak Grove. The selected candidate will successfully complete all departmental hiring requirements and any required field training before assuming independent patrol duties.
Police Officers are expected to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to public service while maintaining positive relationships with citizens, businesses, schools, and community organizations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.
Law Enforcement
- Enforce all applicable federal, state, and local criminal and traffic laws.
- Patrol assigned areas using marked police vehicles, bicycles, or on foot to deter criminal activity and maintain public safety.
- Respond promptly to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
- Investigate criminal offenses including assaults, thefts, burglaries, domestic violence incidents, property crimes, and other violations.
- Conduct preliminary and follow-up investigations.
- Secure crime scenes and preserve evidence.
- Interview victims, witnesses, and suspects.
- Prepare accurate reports documenting incidents, investigations, arrests, citations, and evidence.
- Execute arrest warrants and criminal summons.
- Serve civil and criminal process as assigned.
- Make lawful arrests using approved tactics and department policies.
- Transport prisoners safely and securely.
Traffic Enforcement
- Enforce traffic laws to promote roadway safety.
- Conduct traffic stops for violations.
- Investigate motor vehicle collisions.
- Direct traffic during emergencies, accidents, construction, and special events.
- Administer field sobriety tests when appropriate.
- Prepare collision reports and diagrams.
- Testify regarding traffic enforcement actions.
Community Policing
- Build positive relationships with residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations.
- Participate in community outreach programs.
- Attend public events representing the Police Department.
- Assist citizens by providing information and resolving neighborhood concerns.
- Promote crime prevention through education and visibility.
- Foster trust between law enforcement and the community.
Investigations
- Collect, identify, preserve, and document evidence.
- Photograph crime scenes.
- Prepare search warrant affidavits when appropriate.
- Conduct interviews and interrogations consistent with legal standards.
- Utilize department technology and databases to support investigations.
- Assist detectives with ongoing investigations.
Required Qualifications.
Applicants must:
- Be currently certified as a Kentucky Peace Officer or eligible for certification.
- Be a sworn police officer in good standing.
- Have no employment restrictions that would prevent full-duty law enforcement responsibilities.
- Be applying as a new Police Officer and not as a lateral transfer.
- Possess a valid driver's license.
- Meet all Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) standards.
- Successfully complete all background investigations.
- Successfully pass a drug screening.
- Successfully complete a medical examination.
- Successfully complete a psychological evaluation.
- Successfully pass all department hiring requirements.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Candidates should possess knowledge of:
- Kentucky Revised Statutes
- Criminal law
- Traffic law
- Constitutional law
- Search and seizure laws
- Arrest procedures
- Evidence collection
- Report writing
- Community policing principles
- Emergency response procedures
- Officer safety tactics
- Criminal investigations
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to:
- Make sound decisions under stressful conditions.
- Exercise good judgment.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Prepare accurate reports.
- De-escalate confrontational situations.
- Work independently with minimal supervision.
- Work effectively as part of a team.
- Build positive community relationships.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Operate police vehicles safely.
- Use computers and law enforcement software proficiently.
- Testify effectively in court.
Physical Requirements
The position requires the ability to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods.
- Run short and long distances.
- Lift and carry objects exceeding 50 pounds.
- Climb stairs, ladders, and obstacles.
- Bend, kneel, crawl, and stoop.
- Physically restrain resisting individuals.
- Operate police vehicles for extended periods.
- Work outdoors in extreme weather conditions.
- Maintain firearms proficiency.
- Wear body armor and duty equipment for entire shifts.
Working Conditions
Police Officers regularly work:
- Day, evening, overnight, weekends, and holidays.
- Twelve-hour or rotating shifts as assigned.
- In adverse weather conditions.
- Around hazardous environments.
- Under physically and emotionally stressful situations.
- In situations involving violent individuals, hazardous materials, contagious diseases, and traumatic incidents.
Professional Standards
Police Officers are expected to:
- Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and professionalism at all times.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Follow all departmental policies and procedures.
- Exhibit impartiality and fairness.
- Respect the constitutional rights of all persons.
- Maintain high ethical standards.
- Represent the City of Oak Grove in a positive and professional manner.
- Complete all required continuing education and in-service training.
Disclaimer
The City of Oak Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal and state employment laws. This position description does not constitute a contract between the City of Oak Grove and the employee and is subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and the requirements of the position change. The functions listed herein are illustrative and are not intended to cover all the job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements of duties and responsibilities does not exclude them from the position requirements if the work is a similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.
Pay: $48,360.00 - $66,248.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Dependent health insurance coverage
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
