JOB TITLE: POLICE SERGEANT

Description: The Police Sergeant performs sworn law enforcement supervisory duties over an assigned shift or workgroup through monitoring and evaluating employees and participating in police officer field duty activities.  The Police Sergeant position is distinguished from the subordinate Police Officer position by its shift or section supervisory responsibilities.  The Police Sergeant is distinguished from various superior commissioned officer positions which require secondary management level responsibilities and leadership responsibilities.

TYPICAL ESSENTIAL DUTIES

These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary:

1. Supervise staff, prioritize and assign work, conduct performance evaluations, ensure staff compliance with training and administrative requirements: and make disciplinary or termination recommendations.
2. Prepare work schedules to cover shifts; conduct briefing sessions for assigned shift.
3. Communicate to staff changes in department and sovereign nation processes and procedures.
4. Manage evidence, property storage and department inventories.
5. Provide professional development, mentoring or training to Police Officers in the field and complete documents.
6. Participate in patrol duties and crime investigations; participate in proactive public relations with the public and employees.
7. Respond to emergencies, complaints and questions; analyze situations and recommend actions to be taken.
8. Conduct internal investigations.
9. Coordinate, attend or participate in special community events.
10. Perform other duties of a similar nature, as required.

POSITION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

Front line supervision of personnel.

Training and Experience (typically required):
Previous certification and at least five years’ work experience as competitively appointed police officer or federal law enforcement; experience as a lead investigator or detective; experience or coursework in supervision; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Undergraduate degree or higher is preferred.

Licensing or Certification Requirements may include:

• Current state-issued Driver’s License
• New York State Municipal Police Training Council Police Officer Certification or Certification as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer
• Minimum age 21
• Must be a U. S. citizen
• Current New York State Pistol Permit

Knowledge Requirements (at entry):
Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles
• Law enforcement principles and procedures
• Applicable laws, rules and regulations
• Customer service practices
• Homeland security and organizational safety practices
• Evidence preservation practices
• Defensive tactics
• Firearm usage and justification
• First aid principles
• De-escalation techniques

Required Skills (at entry):
Skill in:

• Monitoring and evaluating employees
• Prioritizing and assigning work
• Resolving conflict
• Balancing multiple priorities
• Interpreting and applying laws, rules and regulations
• Analyzing complex and volatile situations
• Public speaking
• Training or mentoring employees
• Using firearms
• Using defensive tactics
• Conducting interviews and interrogations
• Collecting and handling evidence
• Maintaining personal control under stressful conditions
• Communications and interpersonal abilities as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, or the public that is sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Physical Requirements:

Position typically requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motion.

Very Heavy Work: Exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or more than 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or more than 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Incumbents may be subjected to chemicals, vibrations, fumes, odors, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, intense noises, dangerous situations. Limited travel may be required.

Proficient performance during an initial physical fitness assessment is required.

NOTE: The above job title and description is intended to represent only key areas of responsibility; specific position assignments will vary depending on department needs.