Job Descriptions

DEFINITION

Under direction of a Police Sergeant, the Corporal is expected to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work; to control traffic flow, and enforce State and local traffic regulations; to perform comprehensive criminal investigation work on special assignments; and to do related work as required. The Corporal is expected to act in the capacity of a Sergeant, performing supervisory responsibilities in the absence of, or at the direction of, the Sergeant. The Corporal is expected to perform field supervision of patrol activities, supervise and personally perform investigative work and perform assigned administrative activities in carrying out the direction of the Chief of Police. This classification is assigned to the Turlock Associated Police Officers bargaining unit for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime, standby and call-back.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class represents the first level of supervision in the law enforcement series, in the absence of, or at the direction of, the Sergeant. An incumbent in this class supervises Officers engaged in a well-defined departmental activity on a part-time operational basis. Incumbents perform a full range of supervisory and training activity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Patrol assigned areas in radio dispatched cars, or on foot
• Answers calls for the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws
• Conducts preliminary investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, holdups, vehicle accidents, and the enforcement of City, County, and State laws
• Directs traffic, including regulation of traffic flow at times of emergency or congestion
• Stops drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of the law
• Warns drivers against unlawful practices and issues citations and makes arrests as required
• Receives calls from and assists other law enforcement agencies in emergencies
• Cooperates with supervisor on progress and problems concerning assigned cases
• Maintains records on investigative assignments
• May perform duties in other areas of the Police Department, when called upon to do so
• When the Corporal acts in the capacity of Sergeant, he/she oversees the patrol and law enforcement activities during an assigned shift
• Inspects, gives instructions to and assigns beat to Police Officers
• Maintains discipline and insures that Department rules and policies are followed
• Assists officers in follow-up investigations and may personally participate in investigations, including the routine gathering of evidence, questioning of witnesses, and apprehension of suspects
• Insures that Police Officers and dispatched to the scenes of crimes, accidents, and other emergency situations, and assists on these calls where required
• May participate in all normal patrol activities, including enforcing local and State laws, issuing citations, making arrests, administering first aid, and transporting prisoners
• Assists Officers in preparing reports in cases for trial and may personally appear in court to present evidence testimony
• Gives information and direction to the public
• Reviews reports submitted by Officers
• Conducts in-service training and writes reports of performance for Officer on Shift
• Prepares reports of shift activity

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge Of:

• Modern police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, and traffic control
• Criminal law, with particular emphasis on apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons accused of misdemeanors and felonies
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation and presentation of evidence in Court
• Criminal investigation techniques and procedures, including crime scene investigation, interrogation, fingerprinting and photography
• Recent Court decisions on arrest procedures and the handling of suspects and prisoners
• Principles of supervision and training
• Use and care of firearms

Ability To:

• Gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence
• Draw logical conclusions from information and make proper recommendations
• Interpret and apply laws and regulations
• Analyze situations quickly and accurately, and take effective courses of action
• Schedule, organize, and supervise the work of subordinates
• Demonstrate keen powers of observation and memory
• Meet established standards of physical endurance, agility, and vision
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Five years of experience in law enforcement work, three of which must be with Turlock Police Services.

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from High School, and a minimum of forty-five (45) units of college coursework from an accredited college or university.

Special Training:

• Completion of one (1) year in a special assignment or completion of one (1) year with a collateral duty with Turlock Police Services.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license at the time of appointment, to be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Possession of a P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain physical ability and stamina to meet police and safety standards including: See well enough to drive vehicles under emergency conditions, make valid identifications, use firearms, detect hazardous situations, write legible reports; Hears and speak well enough to converse on the radio, telephone and in person over incident noise, to be alert to situations of danger; bodily mobility to make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods, stamina and endurance necessary in the apprehension of combative suspects, use of hands and fingers to write, to utilize safety gear, and drive vehicles under emergency conditions; ability to distinguish hazardous odors; must be able to lift equipment as necessary