Crime Prevention/Training Officer/Sergeant

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Initially, this position will be filled by a police officer. This officer will be provided sufficient opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability to provide the leadership, initiative, and the desire to meet the crime prevention needs of the university community, as well as the training needs of the Western Kentucky University Police Department. Further, this position will require an individual willing to work a flexible work schedule that meets the changing needs of the university community, and the department. This officer will be expected to take innovative and new approaches to locating, developing, and providing cost effective crime prevention and training opportunities for members of the Western Kentucky University Police Department

The work product, the ability to positively interact with members of the university community, the willingness to be flexible as it relates to work schedules, and the ability to operate with little or minimal supervision is essential for the success in this position.

The officer in this position will be evaluated by the Chief of Police, on a, case by case basis, and he will make the determination of the officers suitability to continue in that position.

The Chief of Police reserves the right to promote the successful officer to the rank of sergeant based on performance.

The Crime Prevention/Training Sergeant is a responsible supervisory and administrative police position, which coordinates training and performs related staff duties of the police department. A person in this position also analyzes crime statistics, develops crime patterns, anticipates crime risks and proposes crime preventive measures to reduce crime. As a sworn law enforcement officer, an employee in this classification is subject to hazardous duty in times of emergency or when necessitated by circumstances. Work involves responsibility for directing and performing staff functions, including coordinating department training programs. Work involves overseeing the training of sworn police personnel and new recruits. Work requires the application of advanced police skills and knowledge. A person in this position is responsible for the training of new officers (FTO), training, scheduling, record keeping, and performing special duties as may be in the best interest of the police department. A person in this position is also responsible for giving crime prevention seminars and informal discussions on crime preventive measures to interested groups, residence halls and departments. This employee makes independent operating decisions based on knowledge of departmental operations, although advice and counsel is available from superiors in difficult cases. An employee in this position receives instructions and guidance from the Investigations Commander. The employee is expected to exercise independent judgement in the absence of a superior. Work involves substantial public contact with citizens and law violators. This position requires full and continuous training as a law enforcement officer. This position may be assigned to street duty or investigative duties when needed to assist in manpower shortages. A person in this position may be assigned to work any shift, including weekends and holidays and overtime assignments. A person in this position reports to the Investigations Commander.


EXAMPLES OF WORK

* Coordinates departmental training programs.
* Coordinates Field Training Officers and training for new officers.
* Evaluates training for new officers.
* Maintains departmental training records..
* Prepares written reports.
* Performs all duties of a Police Officer/Sergeant.
* May participate on a patrol shift in its daily operation, responding to citizen’s calls for service and departmentally generated activities.
* May participate in an investigative capacity, as directed by the Chief of Police.
* Reviews reports of offenses and analyzes them as to location, time committed and common elements present in the manner of their commission.
* Proposes changes in disposition of patrol personnel or need for physical surveillance of particular locations in order to prevent crime on campus.
* Discuss crime preventive measures with hall directors and department heads.
* Conducts seminars for interested groups to make campus citizens aware of the need to use crime preventive techniques and motivate them to take preventive action.
* Engraves and encourages others to engrave items of personal property with owner’s name or social security number. (Operation ID)
* Distributes crime prevention brochures to campus citizens.
* Conducts investigations into alleged violations of law.
* Executes warrants of arrest.
* Enforces parking regulations by citations and by towing.
* Assists in the direction of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
* Investigates vehicle accidents.
* Submits incident/offense reports.
* Conducts vehicle stops when appropriate and issues citations for moving violations.
* Makes arrests when appropriate for violations of law.
* Uses computer to maintain records and reports.
* Performs other police duties as assigned by the Chief of Police.



MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or equivalent. College preferred, but must show “progressive efforts” toward obtaining A.A., B.A. or B.S. degree.

Training: Successful completion of basic police training (640 classroom hours), successful completion of FTO course, and successful completion of an approved police supervisor’s course.

Skills: Thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations of the police department. Needs thorough knowledge of modern police methods and procedures. Thorough knowledge of the geography of the university. Knowledge of the principles and techniques of modern police supervision. Skill in the use and care of firearms and in the skilled operation of motor vehicles. Ability to understand and carry oral and written instructions, prepare clear and comprehensive written reports. Assign, instruct, and review the work of others. Ability to deal firmly, yet tactfully, with subordinates and citizens. Ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective, reasonable courses of action. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with the public, employees and the media. Must have knowledge of basic computer skills.

Experience: Two years experience as a police officer (starts with successful completion of probationary period). This position may laterally transfer to Shift Commander (Sergeant in Patrol) with one year supervisory experience as an Assistant Shift Commander and or equivalent supervisory experience as determined by the Chief.

Physical: Excellent physical condition. Must be capable of strenuous physical effort during arrest operations. Must have the ability to maintain satisfactory fitness level as delineated in the Law Enforcement Officer Essential Job Functions form. Must pass semi-annual departmental firearms training.

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