JOB
During an assigned tour of duty, on foot, or in an automobile, patrols a designated area to provide assistance and protection for persons, to safeguard property, to assure observance of the law, and to apprehend lawbreakers; does related work as required. NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
PREPARATION FOR WORK Attends roll call in proper uniform, listening to information and assignments given orally, and reads "squeal sheet," bulletin board, and/or logs of previous shifts, in order to establish presence, receive assignments, and to maintain continuity of service or action. Gathers together necessary equipment such as shotgun, flashlight, summons books, etc., in order to be prepared for duty. Inspects and maintains patrol car by visually checking and/or operating all equipment, by arranging for washing, waxing, and mechanical service, and by taking patrol car to service location in order to insure that vehicle is ready for patrol. Inventories and maintains equipment carried in patrol car such as first aid kit, oxygen supply, blanket, flares, etc., by utilizing an equipment check list, and by replacing missing or damaged items in order to assure readiness for patrol. Maintains issued uniform and weapons, by arranging for cleaning and reassembling firearms in order to assure their proper appearance and serviceability. FIGHTS AND DOMESTIC DISPUTES Separates parties involved in a fight situation by physically intervening or escorting one party out of reach of the other, in order to prevent injury to any of the parties involved. Attempts to calm parties involved in a fight situation by asking each party to tell or discuss his or her side, in order to gain control of the situation. Discusses possible solutions with parties involved in a dispute by referring parties to appropriate services and explaining legal recourse, in order to fully resolve the dispute or prevent its recurrence. Arrests one or more parties in a fight situation, by using standard procedures, in order to restore peace. GENERAL PATROL Patrols throughout assigned area either on foot or in patrol car, looking for anything unusual in order to increase patrol visibility and prevent crime, or to discover crime in progress. Maintains radio communications with headquarters by operating walkie- talkie or patrol car radio in order to facilitate patrol activities. Assesses situations by utilizing information received from the dispatcher and by visually and orally inspecting premises and surrounding environment in order to make decisions concerning choice of actions and equipment. Issues summonses for various violations of municipal ordinances and state laws by writing the required information on summons and delivering a copy to the accused, in order to enforce the law. Facilitates the remediation of miscellaneous hazardous conditions (e.g., road obstructions, malfunctioning signals, etc.) by direct action or by notifying appropriate agencies, in order to restore safe conditions in the assigned sector. Maintains surveillance of persons suspected of unlawful activity and notifies supervisor, or detectives of important information, in order to facilitate the investigative procedure. Reports, or receives description(s) of suspect(s) at large by radio transmission in response to, or back-up for, criminal actions, in order to aid, or to enlist aid of fellow officers in the apprehension of suspects/perpetrators. Following legal guidelines, stops suspicious people, asks them to show identification, and to explain what they are doing in order to detect or prevent a criminal action. Attempts to disarm persons threatening others with a weapon by using calming conversation and obtaining assistance, in order to neutralize a dangerous situation. Secures the scene of a crime, or emergency by blocking off the area with barricades, ropes, etc., and by standing guard in order to prevent damage, loss, or injury. Records patrol activities by filling out log sheet after each call in order to account for actions, mileage, and time on a daily basis. SERVICE CALLS Promotes good will by talking casually with people, answering questions, referring citizens to other services, and learning of situations requiring police action in order to gain the confidence and support of community members. Controls crowd at emergency scene, following established procedures, in order to insure that emergency services can be performed quickly and safely. Assists in evacuation of buildings, or areas by orally ordering people to leave or by physically escorting them from the area in order to remove them from danger. Examines ill or injured persons, and administers the appropriate first aid treatment in order to prevent further injury or loss of life. Guards dignitaries by continuously positioning self in a manner to most effectively provide protection in order to assure safe passage through the area. Escorts businessmen to and/or from the bank, and frightened citizens to their destination by taking them in the patrol car, or by walking with them in order to provide protection. Gives assistance to operators of disabled vehicles by repairing vehicle, or obtaining necessary repair service, or by transporting driver and occupants to a place where shelter, or assistance can be obtained in order to alleviate a potentially dangerous situation. Returns lost children by interrogating passers-by, and responsible persons in the area where children were discovered in order to restore the children to the custody of their parents or guardians. Transports or escorts intoxicated persons home or to the hospital in order to assure their safety. Blocks suicide attempts by talking to persons threatening and/or attempting suicide, comforting and reassuring them in order to convince them to give up the suicide attempt. Assists citizens in gaining entry to their vehicles or home when a lockout has occurred, using improvised means in order to provide a necessary service. TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS Directs, or re-routes vehicle and pedestrian traffic at emergency scenes at high volume traffic locations, and at school crossings, using hand signals, flares, and/or barricades, in order to insure the safety of pedestrians and the smooth flow of traffic. Drives patrol car in an unspecified pattern and at varying speeds in order to increase police visibility and to discourage traffic violations and other such occurrences. Operates radar equipment in patrol unit in order to apprehend speeding law violators. Pursues detected traffic violators by using patrol vehicle and equipment as required in order to apprehend violators. Reports action after apprehending traffic violator to the dispatcher, using the radio in order to communicate the location, request back-up (if required), and to request motor vehicle and warrant check. Interviews or interrogates motor vehicle operators and visually inspects operator's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance card, in order to obtain information and admission or confession to violations of motor vehicle code. Evaluates statements, facts, and evidence to determine if a traffic ticket should be issued as a result of an operator's actions. Warns motor vehicle operators of observed traffic violations by orally informing them of their actions and explaining related provisions of the motor vehicle code, in order to discourage future violations. Issues traffic summons to observed traffic violators by writing the required information on the summons, giving the violator his copy, and explaining the violation and procedure for compliance, in order to enforce traffic regulations. Observes behavior and administers appropriate test(s) to suspected violators in order to determine whether they are under the influence of drugs, narcotics, or alcohol. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS Summons ambulance, wrecker, or other emergency equipment needed at an accident scene in order to provide the necessary services as quickly as possible. Protects accident scene from disturbance by appropriately positioning police car and by lighting and placing flares at strategic locations in order to divert traffic and to prevent further destruction, or removal of evidence. Removes (or assists in removing) dead or injured from wrecked and/or overturned vehicles by manually lifting them. Transports motor vehicle accident victims to the hospital when no other emergency vehicle is available in order to minimize time lost in receiving necessary medical treatment. Identifies, protects, and documents any short-lived evidence found at the accident scene, using approved departmental procedures in order to prevent evidence from being overlooked or destroyed. Inspects and/or operates devices (lights, brakes, steering, tires, etc.), of vehicles involved in accidents to determine if their operating condition contributed to the cause of the accident. At the scene of a motor vehicle accident, interviews operators, occupants, and witnesses, using simple interviewing techniques and writing notes of important information in order to help determine how, when, and why the accident occurred. Explains procedures that motor vehicle operators should follow concerning insurance claims and filing accident forms. Evaluates statements, facts, and evidence gathered at a motor vehicle accident scene in order to determine if a summons should be issued. Measures the distance from the accident vehicles and markings made by the vehicles to fixed points (mile post markers, nearest intersection, city limits, etc.), using a tape measure, or measuring wheel in order to determine the exact location, and possible cause of the accident. Sketches a rough diagram of the accident scene, showing movement of vehicles and pedestrians before and after impact and location of physical evidence in order to record this information for future investigation. Completes accident report forms by printing or typing data gained from accident investigation (including a short narrative and a diagram of the accident) in order to officially record the results of the investigation and to provide information to all parties involved. Transports blood or urine samples of motor vehicle operators to police labs in cases of suspicious auto accidents in order to obtain evidence as to whether the operator was driving under the influence of drugs or narcotics. INVESTIGATIONS Locates and interrogates available witnesses after an incident by talking with people in the area in order to obtain information for further investigation. Make notes of activities and facts of initial investigations in order to record information for future reference. Collects and labels evidence taken from the crime scene, using approved departmental procedures, in order to preserve evidence. Relates suspicious activities and other important information to detectives by direct or written communication in order to facilitate the investigative process. Takes photographs, or directs a photographer to take specific pictures at a crime scene in order to establish visual evidence. Searches property involved in criminal incidents by visual inspection and by disassembling property items when necessary in order to discover dangerous objects, missing items, or other evidence. Attempts to locate owners of damaged property by utilizing existing records and/or questioning area residents in order to inform the owner of the damage and to obtain information. Assists victims in the use of the "mug book" in order to make identification of suspects. Prepares property report on items to be used as evidence in order to document its existence, characteristics, and availability. Prepares investigative reports, or supplements for each phase of an investigation in order to provide an official running record of the investigation. Completes request for examination of evidence forms, including a narrative description of the crime and a checklist of evidence in order to insure a thorough analysis of the evidence. ARRESTS Apprehends and subdues suspects by chasing them on foot, or in patrol car and by using physical force and applying handcuffs, if necessary, in order to take suspect into custody and to prevent injury to the officer or others. Searches the body and clothing of suspects for possible weapons, using visual and physical means in order to insure the safety of the officer and others. Transports arrested persons to headquarters, or detention facility, using handcuffs and other security measures necessary in order to book them according to proper procedures. Advises parents of juvenile offenders in custody of procedures relative to the case in order to insure that parents understand their responsibilities. Refers juvenile cases to the Youth Officer (juvenile department) by submitting known details in order to have the case handled by appropriately trained personnel. Reads "Constitutional Rights" to suspect and obtains signature from suspect on the written statement of the rights in order to effect a lawful arrest. Identifies suspect by inspecting his driver's license or similar document(s) in order to assist in determining if suspect has a prior arrest on record. Fingerprints and/or photographs violators or suspects using equipment at the I.D. station, in order to process a standard arrest. Operates a video recorder on persons arrested for drunkenness or narcotics use in order to have a record of behavior as evidence. Completes reports necessary to substantiate an arrest by printing, or typing all required information (including a narrative description) on appropriate forms in order to document an arrest. Contacts appropriate court authority by telephone in order to determine the amount of bail or bond required to release the accused. Transports arrested persons according to appropriate criminal code (juvenile, adult, female, etc.) in order to situate detained parties at required locations. COURT TESTIMONY: PREPARATION AND APPEARANCE Prepares to testify in court by collecting documents, reports and other evidence related to the case, reading all reports and notes, and talking with other officers, supervisors, solicitors, and witnesses, in order to insure accuracy and effectiveness of testimony. Notifies and/or subpoenas witnesses and victims of crime before scheduled court hearings to insure their availability to testify. Testifies in court by presenting facts and/or evidence related to the case and by answering attorney's and magistrate's questions in order to help insure the proper disposition of the case. SUPPORTIVE DUTIES Process incoming calls by listening to caller and identifying important information, determining what action to take (i.e., dispatching a patrol car to investigate, or referring caller to another agency) and initiating this action in order to insure an appropriate response. Dispatches patrol cars via radio by selecting and contacting available units and by transmitting the location and nature of problem to the selected cars in order to respond to incoming calls, or to provide support for primary units. Maintains log of all incoming calls and radio transmissions by recording information (i.e., time call is received, unit dispatched, unit arrives, unit leaves, and location and nature of emergency) on appropriate forms in order to provide documentation of activities. Operates computer terminal by entering or reading information on screen in order to transmit, or to receive data from N.C.I.C, S.C.I.C., or other central information source. Guards prisoners and arrested persons by appropriately positioning self in relation to prisoners, and by using handcuffs when necessary in order to prevent escape and to protect the prisoners from harm. Makes a check of jailed prisoners by touring the facility at regular time intervals, and by making a notation on each cell sheet in order to account for the presence and safety of all prisoners. May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or vocational high school or possession of an approved high school equivalent certificate. AGE: Not less than 18 nor more than 35 years of age at the announced closing date for filing applications for the position. In determining maximum age eligibility of veterans, the time spent in active military service during periods specified in Department of Personnel law and rules will be deducted from the attained age. NOTE: Appointees will be required to successfully complete a training program mandated by the New Jersey Police Training Commission within 18 months of appointment. LICENSE: Appointees will be required to possess a valid Police license and driver's license valid in New Jersey. CITIZENSHIP Must be a citizen of the United States. MEDICAL EXAMINATION As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric examination to be administered by the appointing authority. Any psychological, medical or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties, will be cause for rejection.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Academy Salary: $40,000.00Salary after graduating the academy: $54,500.00.ACPD starting salaries: 2026 - $54,500.00Top salary: 2026: $113,404.00
