This is entry-level, general duty, police work in the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Work involves the prevention of juvenile and adult crime, apprehension of law violators, direction of traffic, general enforcement of laws and ordinances and preliminary and follow-up investigation of crimes.
Work is performed in accordance with departmental rules and regulations and upon specific oral and written instructions from a superior. While many decisions are limited by established procedure, independent judgment, usually based on precedent, must be exercised in the handling of specific cases. Some of the work actions are final and represent the last level of responsibility, but many are reviewed or reconsidered internally or by the judicial system before being considered final. The work requires knowledge that are to be learned on-the-job both through a formal training program and also with substantial supervisory participation. After training, work is performed without direct supervision; however, advice and guidance from a superior officer is usually available on non-routine matters. Work assignments and special instructions are received from a superior officer who reviews work methods and results through examination of reports, on-the-job observation, personal inspection, and discussion of work problems. Work involves considerable public contact, with both the general public and law violators in both adversary and non-adversary situations. Work involves a significant element of personal danger.