Police Services Technician
The Police Department is currently seeking to fill one Police Services Technician l/II (PST) position. The PST is a non-sworn position who will enhance the productivity and efficiency of the Police Department by handling service calls that do not require the presence of an armed police officer. PST's provide non-sworn police services in crime prevention, investigation and response, and assist sworn peace officers in various non-sworn related duties. These duties include a variety of technical and clerical responsibilities related to evidence and property, traffic control, report writing, traffic collision investigation, and parking enforcement. Work is performed with latitude for independent decision-making within guidelines of policies and procedures. This position involves frequent internal contacts within the department and with other City departments and frequent external contact with the public, requiring the ability to deal with non-routine problems within general guidelines. Under direct or general supervision, learns and performs a variety of non-sworn office, technical and field duties in support of law enforcement and the mission of the Police Department.
The ideal candidate:
- Operates a department motor vehicle;
- Works a flexible work schedule;
- Takes police reports;
- Investigate traffic accidents.;
- Enforces parking and other city code violations;
- Arranges and coordinates the towing of vehicles;
- Directs traffic;
- Interviews victims and citizens;
- Is knowledgeable in the functions of a municipal law enforcement agency;
- Prepares and maintains accurate records;
- Organized with ability to prioritize workload;
- Writes legible, clear and concise reports and correspondence using correct grammar, punctuation and spelling;
- Able to identify special handling requirements for hazardous/biohazard materials; and
- Able to resolve conflict with effective communication skills.
Police Services Technician I is the entry-level class in the technical support, non-sworn class series. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise. Since this class is often used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.
Police Services Technician II is the experienced-level of this class series. Incumbents are expected to perform the full range of non-sworn law enforcement and police support duties. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I level by the performance of the full range of basic duties independently, exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Police Records Supervisor in that the latter performs more specialized and technical non-sworn tasks requiring additional training and/or experience and may provide technical and functional direction to lower-level office support staff. Positions in the Police Services Technician class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the II level are normally filled by advancement from the I level requiring one (1) year of experience and after gaining the knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the qualifications for the II level. When filled from the outside, the employee is required to have one (1) year of prior experience that allows the employee to meet the qualification standards for the II level.
Typical duties include:
- Prepares and reviews detailed police reports documenting criminal and non-criminal activities; documents accident and crime scene layouts in written and graphic form;
- Provides initial non-emergency contact with the public and representatives of other agencies for the department at a public counter or over the telephone; determines the nature of the contact; provides factual information regarding services, policies and procedures, or directs the caller to the proper individual or agency;
- Word processes and enters data into multiple law enforcement computer systems; proofreads work for accuracy and completeness;
- Assists officers at crime and accident scenes by directing traffic and laying out cone and flare patterns, taking witness statements and collecting identity information; diagrams crime and accident scenes using forensic mapping equipment;
- Photographs crime scenes using digital and video camera equipment; provides documentation and logs photographs into evidence;
- Testifies in criminal, civil and traffic court as required;
- Performs technical support duties associated with the maintenance and control of police property, evidence and supplies, following preservation and storage guidelines;
- Receives, processes, stores and inventories property and materials submitted as evidence by law enforcement staff, entering evidence and property data into computer; documents any actions taken with each property item; assists sworn officers with booking evidence;
- Responds to inquiries from law enforcement personnel and the public; takes police reports and documents investigations thoroughly;
- Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems; and
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of: Basic functions, principles, and practices of municipal police services. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Modern office administrative practices and procedures, including the use of standard office and computer equipment and applications related to the work. Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence. Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation. Business mathematics and basic statistical techniques. Record keeping principles and procedures. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Ability to: Perform technical, detailed, and responsible law enforcement support work. Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Interpret, apply, and explain rules, policies, codes, and procedures, including police terminology and law enforcement codes. Apply the basic functions, principles, and practices of municipal police services. Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple phone calls and other requests for service. Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions. Make accurate mathematical, financial, and statistical computations. Enter and retrieve data from a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform assigned work. Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Minimum qualifications include:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Education equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12th) grade AND Experience Police Services Technician I: Three (3) years of general office administrative or secretarial experience. Police Services Technician II: Two (2) years of experience performing law enforcement support duties equivalent to those of the class of Police Services Technician I. Completion of two years of college or possession of an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, Police Science or a closely related field may be substituted for the required law enforcement experience. License Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment
Desirable qualifications include:
- College-level coursework or technical training in a field related to law enforcement and experience in dealing with the public are highly desirable.
- Previous work or volunteer experience with a law enforcement or other public safety agency performing technical, detailed and responsible support work.
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and demonstrate a helpful attitude when approached with confrontation.
- Flexibility to adjust to a demanding and oftentimes rapidly changing work environment.
- Ability to articulate accurate descriptions, recall events, and prepare reports using excellent grammar.
Physical demands include:
Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. May be required to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City and meeting sites. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve