A Patrol Officer shall be responsible for the efficient performance of required duties in conformance with the directives contained in this Manual.
Duties shall consist of, but are not necessarily limited to, a number of general police responsibilities necessary to the stability and safety of the community. A Patrol Officer shall be expected to:
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Identify criminal offenders and criminal activity and, where appropriate, apprehend offenders and participate in subsequent court proceedings.
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Reduce the opportunities for the commission of crime through preventive patrol and other measures.
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Aid individuals who are in danger of physical harm.
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Facilitate the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
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Identify problems that are potentially serious law enforcement or governmental problems.
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Create and maintain a feeling of security in the community.
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Promote and preserve the peace.
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Provide other services on an emergency basis.
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Work various night shifts, holidays and be available for emergency call back while off-duty at any time.
It is the duty and responsibility of a Patrol Officer to:
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Exercise authority consistent with the obligations imposed by the oath of office and be accountable to superior officers. Promptly obey legitimate orders.
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Coordinate efforts with those of other members of the Department so that teamwork may ensure continuity of purpose and maximum achievement of police objectives.
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Communicate to superiors and to fellow officers information obtained which is pertinent to the achievement of police objectives.
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Respond punctually to all assignments.
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Acquire and record information concerning events that have taken place since the last your of duty.
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Record activity during tour of duty in the manner prescribed by proper authority.
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Maintain weapons and equipment in a functional, presentable condition.
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Assist citizens requesting assistance or information. Courteously explain any instance where jurisdiction does not lie with the Police Department and suggest other procedures to be followed.
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Be accountable for the securing, receipting, and proper transporting of all evidence and property coming into custody.
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Answer questions asked by the general public, counsel juveniles and adults when necessary and refer them to persons and agencies where they can obtain further assistance.
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Preserve the peace at public gatherings, neighborhood disputes and family quarrels.
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Serve or deliver warrants, summonses, subpoenas, and other official papers promptly and accurately when so directed by a superior officer.
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Confer with court prosecutors and testify in court.
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Accomplish other general duties as they are assigned or become necessary.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – PREVENTIVE PATROL
Patrol Description
Patrol an assigned area for general purposes of crime prevention and law enforcement. Patrol includes:
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Being thoroughly familiar with the assigned route of patrol. Such familiarity includes knowledge of residents, merchants, businesses, roads, alleyways, paths, etc. Conditions that contribute to crime should be reported. The location of fire boxes, telephones and other emergency services should be noted.
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Apprehending person violating the law or wanted by the police.
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Completing detailed reports on all crimes, vehicle accidents and other incidents requiring police attention. In cases where an arrest is made, an arrest report is submitted along with the required crime reports, When property is recovered or additional information is discovered pertaining to a previously reported offense, the officer completes an investigation report.
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Preserving any crime scene until relieved when such crime scene is encountered or when dispatched to the scene as the first responding officer.
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Public assembly checks
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Building security checks.
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Observing and interrogating of suspicious persons.
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Issuing traffic citations.
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Being alert for and reporting fires.
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Reporting street light and traffic signals out-of-order, street hazards and any conditions that endanger public safety.
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Checking of schools, parks and playgrounds.
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Responding to any public emergency.
Investigations
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Be alert to the development of conditions tending to cause crime or indicative of criminal activity. Take preventive action to correct such conditions, and inform superiors as soon as the situation permits.
Crime Prevention
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Be alert to the development of conditions tending to cause crime or indicative of criminal activity. Take preventive action to correct such conditions, and inform superiors as soon as the situation permits.
Response
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Respond to situations brought to the officer’s attention while in the course of routine patrol or when assigned by radio. Render first aid, when qualified, to persons who are seriously ill or injured. Assist persons needing police services.
Remain on patrol
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Remain on patrol throughout the tour of duty except when a police emergency necessitates a temporary absence, or when an Officer-in-Charge or the Dispatcher has issued authorization for a temporary absence.
Patrol Areas
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Patrol areas giving particular attention to and frequently rechecking locations where the crime hazard is great. Insofar as possible, a Patrol Officer shall not patrol an area according to any fixed route or schedule, but shall alternate frequently and backtrack in order to be at the location least expected.
Alertness
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Be alert for all nuisances, impediments, obstructions, defects or other conditions that might endanger or hinder the safety, health or convenience of the public within the patrol area.
Motor Vehicle Assignments
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If assigned a department vehicle, responsibilities include, but not limited to:
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See that it is well maintained mechanically and that it is kept clean both inside and out.
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Inspect the vehicle at the beginning of the tour of duty for any defects or missing equipment. Immediately report all defects and damages sustained to the vehicle to the proper authority and complete all reports and forms required by current procedures.
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Remove the keys whenever the patrol car is left unattended for any reason.
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Use only vehicles assigned by the Officer-in-Charge.
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Use the call number assigned to the car for identification purposes.
Radio Operation
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Keep radio equipment in operation at all times and be thoroughly familiar with departmental policy concerning use of the radios. Operate the radio in line with FCC regulations and current departmental procedures.
Absence from patrol area
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Notify the Officer-in-Charge if more than a temporary absence from regular duties is required.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – TRAFFIC PATROL
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Direct and expedite the flow of traffic at intersections keeping in mind the duty as a traffic officer in preventing accidents, protecting pedestrians and ensuring the free flow of traffic.
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Enforce the parking ordinances and motor vehicle laws while on patrol areas.
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Be alert for traffic safety conditions which may endanger or inconvenience the public, take affirmative action and report such conditions.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – COMMUNICATIONS
Offiicers when assigned to perform the duties of a dispatcher, or when other side assigned to the communications function of the Department shall meet the minimum requirements for a Dispatcher as outlined in Written Directive 28 of this manual.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
A minimum of two of the following criteria is required for any applicant to be considered for employment as a police officer with the Nantucket Police Department.
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Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
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Prior work experience with the Nantucket Police Department in a summer, reserve or other part-time capacity.
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Completion of an approved police academy and certified as a full-time police officer.
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Resident of Nantucket.
In addition to the above requirements, any applicant who meets at least two of the above criteria shall also complete all application forms and provide any additional information as instructed during the application process. Any applicant who fails to complete the require application forms or provide requested additional information may be summarily rejected.
Knowledge, Ability and Skills
Must to effectively deal with difficult people and communicate in a variety of different situations. Ability to reason and react quickly in a rapidly changing environment. Knowledge of state and local laws and regulations very helpful. Must have ability to work and deal pleasantly with co-works and the public, both in person and by telephone in a courteous and tactful manner. Ability to understand and follow instructions, and to work independently when required. Must have ability to accurately record and maintain records and ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Must be able to fire various weapons. Ability to perform CPS and first-aid if needed. Must be able to type and operate various types of office equipment, including but not limited to telephone, computer, facsimile machine, and copy machine.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Only those candidates who meet the minimum physical and psychological qualifications shall be considered for a position as a police officer.
Physical Qualifications
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Police officer candidates shall meet all of the minimum criteria for physical standards for police officer as promulgated by the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Personnel Administration.
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Psychological Qualifications
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Police Officer candidates must pass a psychological exam conducted by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist selected by the Department.
BACKGROUND QUALIFICATIONS
Police Officer candidates must not have any criminal history or history of any other questionable activity which would preclude the Department from placing the candidate in an area of responsibility.
