Police Aide:

Full Job Description

This is a non-exempt, full-time, classified position with full benefits. Expected hiring range is minimum of range 16; Hiring range: $17.44 per hour - $21.80 per hour. Full long-term range of position extends to $26.16 per hour.

View flyer here.

View job description here.

Position closes on April 30, 2024.

Under direct supervision, the Police Aide drives alone in a police car and responds to Police dispatch-based calls for service, conducts investigations, and writes reports for a variety of calls not requiring sworn Police Officer presence including, but not limited to, motor vehicle collisions and criminal incidents. When necessary, Police Aides work with Police Officers and City employees investigating various crimes and other activity. When there are no calls to handle, Police Aides are responsible for generating self-initiated activity. May perform other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this classification.

TASKS: Under direct supervision of a sworn member, performs a variety of civilian field and office law enforcement duties in direct support of safety and non-safety personnel to include but not limited to:  performing clerical duties including recordkeeping; answering telephones; data processing and filing; fingerprints individuals; performs photography duties; provides information and directions to the public; assists with parking enforcement and traffic control; uses a computer to process information and prepare reports; responds to radio calls for service.

Interviews victims, witnesses, and reporting parties to obtain information necessary to conduct a complete and thorough investigation and compile a police report. After compiling all of the necessary information for the assigned police report, enters the detailed information into a computerized report writing program. Submits completed reports on all cases assigned; participates in formalized training courses and programs as assigned; lifts and carries equipment and other items and performs strenuous activities; drives a vehicle on City business and assists with vehicle transportation; assists in processing and storing evidence, creates accurate and detailed property inventories, storage inventory and control of department supplies; assists with prisoner transportation and custody.

Analyzes details of cases and produces accurate and detailed reports of crimes including, but not limited to: burglaries, auto thefts, fraud, forgery, identity thefts, threats, assaults, abuse, violations of court orders, harassment, shoplifts, thefts, criminal damage, missing persons, and runaways.

Self-initiates pro-active activity when not assigned to other calls for service, conducts area searches on foot or in a vehicle, identifies illegally parked vehicles and properly completes written warnings or citations.

Investigates and reports both injury and non-injury motor vehicle collisions, issues accident related traffic citations, coordinates accident scenes, measures distances, makes calculations, draws diagrams, and testifies in court, directs traffic in any type of weather condition, visually identifies roadway hazards and determines a safe action to remove them, including disabled vehicles, transports documents, property, and vehicles.

Answers questions to a variety of inquiries over the phone and in person, to provide information on policies, procedures, ordinances, laws and resolve questions or problems related to area of assignment.

Researches and responds to citizen requests in person or by phone in accordance with City and/or department policies and regulations. Effectively, professionally, and courteously communicates with diverse groups of people, both verbally and in writing, often under stressful circumstances. Tactfully handles situations with citizens while demonstrating mutual respect for people at all levels.

Handles a variety of administrative functions related to the towing of vehicles by the Department including, but not limited to:  conducting administrative towing hearings, vehicle releases, acting as a cashier for the impound fee collection and initial investigation into criminal matters related to this process.

Greets police department visitors, properly handle walk-in inquiries, and complete walk-in department reports (DR's). Makes oral presentations to various public groups, management, and staff.

Develops prevention and problem-solving strategies, such as neighborhood watch meetings, school and community groups, etc., designed to address crime trends and patterns, provide timely and accurate crime data/trends to the Division Commander and prepare materials for presentation at crime trends meetings. Proactively meets with civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations, and City departments to address topics related to crime prevention.

Assists Commander(s) with special projects and programs.

Performs clerical duties such as ordering, receiving and distributing supplies, processing mail, preparing reports, indexing and filing criminal records and correspondences; performs other related, or as assigned duties and responsibilities not requiring Peace Officer powers. 

Provides exceptional internal and external customer service and is responsible for reinforcing the mission and vision of the department and the City.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of the criminal justice system.

Knowledge of the operations of a small to medium size law enforcement agency.

Knowledge of standard operating procedures in the Police Department.

Knowledge of the maintenance and care of law enforcement equipment and tools.

Skill in English usage and grammar.

Skill to learn and appropriately apply Arizona criminal statutes and traffic laws, City ordinances, and Police Department policies and procedures.

Ability to learn, understand and apply applicable laws, ordinances, policies and procedures.

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Ability to work under strict law enforcement structure.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to read and write at the level required for successful job performance.

Ability to meet the public with courtesy and tact.

Ability to analyze situations accurately and select quick, effective and responsible courses of action.

Ability to learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.

Ability to learn to use a computer and applicable software.

Ability to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

Ability to communicate with the public by phone or in person in a one-to-one setting.

Ability to appropriately handle situations involving disgruntled, hostile, or impaired persons until assistance can arrive.

Ability to achieve a shared commitment to quality customer service in everyday work and to continuous learning and improvement.

Ability to effectively, professionally, and courteously communicate with diverse groups of people, both verbally and in writing, often under stressful circumstances.

Ability to tactfully handle situations with citizens while demonstrating mutual respect for people at all levels.

Ability to comprehend and make inferences from written material.

Ability to distinguish criminal from civil matters using State statutes and City ordinances.

Ability to produce detailed, accurate, and grammatically correct written reports.

Ability to learn job-related tasks and skills through oral and written instruction and on the job training.

Ability to exercise independent judgment, recognize, and appropriately react to emergency and hazardous situations.

Ability to effectively coordinate and handle several tasks simultaneously while maintaining personal safety and scene awareness.

Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Ability to wear a uniform and associated equipment while on duty.

Ability to testify in court.

Ability to listen, communicate, and work effectively with a diverse group of people.

Ability to proficiently perform computerized word processing, comprehension, summarizing, and writing/editing.

Ability to work both individually and as an effective part of a team.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public.

Ability to complete required OSHA/safety training.

Ability to use numerous investigative databases including License Plate Readers, Pawn, local and shared Records Management Systems, criminal history and subpoena generators.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work involved in this classification includes activities coupled with traffic control, investigations, and other law enforcement related activities that may be accomplished by a non-sworn member. Activities may also include but are not limited to: sits and stands for periods of time, uses a computer, walks and may run on slippery/uneven surfaces, climbs, kneels, crouches, twists, reaches, bends, crawls and grasps, lifts, carries, pushes heavy objects such as vehicles, pulls and drags equipment, lifting and carrying heavy objects sometimes up and down stairs, performance of appropriate defensive tactics and suspect control techniques, dragging people and objects as in extracting victims from vehicles, drives a vehicle on City business.

Participate in training exercises which require incumbents to successfully complete physical tests/tasks which include dragging a 165-pound dummy, pushing a patrol car, climbing ladders, scaffolds, a 6-foot wall and similar obstacles, jumping over 3-foot-high sawhorses or wooden barricades, jumping down from elevated places, walking a balance beam, climbing into and out of windows and performing sprints, runs and pushups.

When assisting with traffic control, an incumbent may be exposed to vehicular traffic and fumes. When assisting with property and evidence, incumbents may be exposed to dust, dirt, bugs, rodents and rodent droppings inherent in storage facilities and a variety of hazardous compounds which may be found on property/evidence to include materials contaminated by blood and other human products and explosive materials.  Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working with these materials. Incumbents must be able to meet the physical requirements of the class and have mobility, vision, and hearing, sense of smell and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

MIMINUM QUALIFICATIONS: The equivalent of a high school diploma or GED.  Must possess the ability to be clearly understood when speaking. Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license. U.S. Citizen at the time of appointment, no felony convictions, no conviction of offenses involving domestic violence, no conviction of any misdemeanors that carry a penalty of prohibiting ownership, possession or control of a firearm; or no restriction from employment with the City of Cottonwood. Must be able to successfully complete the Arizona P.O.S.T. minimum certification requirements including a background questionnaire investigation and interview, polygraph examination, psychological test, medical examination and controlled substance screening. Additional education steps will be necessary for progressive steps (Journey and advanced).

Preference may be given to candidates who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university earning credits toward a degree while maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference may also be given to applicants with an ability and desired interest to become certified police officers. The potential exists for a flexible schedule for those applicants who are soon-to-be or are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.

**Note** Police Officers must meet the requirements of Cottonwood Police Department Policy 1023.3 & 1023.4 Personal Appearance Standards which state that officers while on-duty will display no body piercing (with limited exceptions for female employees). 

SELECTION GUIDELINES: Formal application through department procedures and/or city requirements, a review and rating of education and experience, written test, oral interviews, other job-related tests may be required. Candidates will also undergo a review of their personnel file and work history related to professional communication, demonstrated initiative, and professional competency. The Chief of Police has the prerogative to pick any candidate from amongst the top 3 candidates based upon the testing results and review of the aforementioned items.

Job Advertisement

With an elevation of 3,300 feet, Cottonwood is a small but growing community situated in the heart of the Verde Valley, which is located 90 miles north of Phoenix and 50 miles south of Flagstaff, at the base of Mingus Mountain. We have convenient shopping, hotels, restaurants, and a picturesque Historic Old Town, bustling with activity. Visit the local vineyards and tasting rooms, ancient Indian ruins, historic parks, landmarks, and ghost towns. Explore the hiking trails, golf at our scenic courses, or kayak down the beautiful Verde River. Enjoy the perfect balance of job satisfaction and phenomenal quality of life the area has to offer!