This is an entry-level recruit position intended for individuals without prior law enforcement experience. Recruits will remain in this position during the first probationary year of employment. Recruits will complete a 12-week training program through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) including virtual, classroom, and hands-on training intended to provide the knowledge, skills, and the abilities to perform the duties of a certified law enforcement officer in the state of South Carolina. Upon completion of the training academy the recruit will be a certified Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer. Following the training academy, recruits will complete the Greenville Police Department's (GPD) field training program as well as a month probationary internal training process. The purpose of this position is to develop and prepare recruits for advancement to Police Officer I. To successfully complete the program, recruits must demonstrate proficiency and understanding in the following areas: federal, state, and local laws and ordinances as well as department rules and protocols; proper reporting and documentation procedures; officer safety; emergency vehicle operations; equipment and firearm care and use; and courtroom testimony procedures and legal processes. Failure to obtain Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer certification or demonstrate proficiency and understating in all areas at designated evaluation points will result in removal from the training program.
Essential Functions
% of Time
Obtain Class 1 Law Enforcement Officer Certification: Receive 6-8 weeks of training locally via the online SCCJA training program and pass a cumulative test on the material. Complete initial firearms training, taser certification, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) training, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray certification, and driving orientation through GPD. Complete the SCCJA 8-week training program in Columbia, SC including both classroom and hands-on training.
Complete Department Field Training: Complete post-academy training through GPD to include rifle familiarization, body worn camera usage, electronic report writing (e.g., incident, collision, and citations), and patrol operations field training. Under immediate supervision of a Police Training Officer (PTO), become familiar with patrol zones as well as the various types of calls for service received throughout the city. Demonstrate the ability to establish control of incident scene, detain suspects, and provide for the safety of the public. Demonstrate the ability to group facts to properly investigate a problem as well as the ability to interpret information received from victims, witnesses, and suspects. Exhibit the ability to arrive at a proper solution based on intuition, reason, induction or deduction. Conform to department policy and procedures.
Patrol Assigned Areas: Accompanied by the FTO, independently patrol assigned areas and respond to call for service enforcing the laws of the State of South Carolina, municipal codes of the City of Greenville and federal laws as they apply. Apprehend and arrest suspects, using weapons and force when reasonable and necessary to protect lives and property, affect arrest, conduct lawful investigations, or restrain detained individuals to prevent personal injury to themselves or others. Obtain, verify, and execute arrest warrants. Conduct high-risk felony vehicle stops. Detain, search, arrest and handcuff persons, as required. Subdue and disarm resisting or attacking persons. Transport and handle prisoners. Prepare and submit appropriate documents. Appear in court (municipal, general sessions, and federal) and testify as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience in customer service, community service, social services, security/loss prevention, corrections, military experience, or comparable field.
Must attend and complete the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) as well as department field training program within one year of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
Associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field.
Driver's License Requirements
Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.
Performance Requirements
Knowledge of:
Laws of the State of South Carolina, municipal codes of the City of Greenville, and federal laws as they apply.
Criminal law, investigation, statutes, ordinances, and crime prevention methods.
Departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
FCC rules and regulations regarding police radio communication.
Common safety rules, regulations, procedures, and practices to include effective restraint techniques, basic first aid and CPR.
Traffic laws, ordinances and rules involved in motor vehicle operation.
Geography and locations in the city.
Rules of evidence and laws governing custody of persons.
Police record keeping procedures.
Criminal identification methods.
Community policing practices.
Data entry and retrieval procedures.
Developing and implementing long or short-term plans.
Legal procedure in filing and presenting charges in court.
Principles and processes for providing customer services.
Principles and practices of safe motor vehicle operation and maintenance.
Geography of the city.
Use and care of a firearm.
Ability to:
Comprehend and enforce written comprehensive local ordinances, State, and Federal laws.
Exercise sound judgment and make logical decisions as to the appropriate response to situations while under pressure, and in accordance with rules, regulations, and policies.
Observe and monitor people's behavior or objects to determine compliance with laws, codes, and regulations; recall details accurately.
Evaluate and respond quickly to stressful situations in a calm, firm and tactful manner while using integrity.
Handle a variety of customer service issues with tact and diplomacy in a confidential manner.
Effectively respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions, diffusing emotional situations and offers solutions.
Use element of persuasion as may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.
Use analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.
Obtain information through interview and interrogation.
Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine the proper course of action to be taken.
Anticipate, identify, and evaluate potentially dangerous, unusual or deviating situations and exercise appropriate judgment.
Evaluate the best method of research and then exercising appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters.
Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Develop and maintain cooperative and professional relationships with coworkers, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public.
Testify in Court.
Share knowledge with staff for mutual and departmental benefit.
Evaluate the best method of research and then exercises appropriate judgment in resolving complex matters.
Effectively manage time--plan and organize daily work routine in accordance with sound time-management methodology.
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Speak and write clearly and effectively.
Write reports, prepare business letters, summaries, meeting minutes, and emails using proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.
Make mathematical calculations and draw logical conclusions.
Administer first aid and CPR.
Proficiently use Firearms, baton, Taser, handcuffs, computer, radio, patrol vehicle, phone, duty belt, and mobile video recorder or body-worn camera.
Proficiently use mobile data terminal, desktop computer and related software applications.
Utilize Microsoft Office products and other technologies.
Meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the assigned duties safely and effectively.
Working Conditions
Primary Work Location: Vehicle, indoors, and outdoors.
Protective Equipment Required: Body armor, gloves, hazmat suit, crowd control equipment, and reflective vest.
Environmental/Health and Safety Factors: Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental situations, conditions and/or hazards. Monthly exposure to wetness and/or humidity and noise. Seasonal exposure to extreme temperatures. Exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals. Daily exposure to physical danger or abuse from suspects as well as communicable diseases. Weekly exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards (e.g. Downed power lines, vehicles damaged in accidents, etc.).
Physical Demands: Continuously requires vision, hearing, and talking. Frequently requires standing, reaching, climbing, fine dexterity, handling, walking, using foot controls, balancing, carrying, bending, sitting, crouching, kneeling, twisting, lifting, climbing, crawling, and pushing/pulling. Perform duties in situations that range from inactive to situations requiring extreme physical exertion. Including but not limited to: the ability to make an arrest, physically wrestle a suspect following a prolonged pursuit, running over uneven terrain, chasing a suspect over many blocks or up flights of stairs while wearing duty equipment, climbing over fences, standing on a fixed post for extended periods of time, perform crowd and riot control activities, and exposure to adverse conditions and situations. Strength demands include constantly exerting 10 pounds, frequently exerting 20-50 pounds and occasionally may require exerting up to 150 pounds. Additional strength demands include the ability to wear duty equipment for prolonged periods weighing between 20-40 pounds.
Mental Demands: Frequently requires time pressures, emergency situations, frequent change of tasks, irregular schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, and noisy/distracting environment. Occasionally requires tedious or exacting work.
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance
The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.
Disclaimer
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
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