Police Officer

THE POSITION:
Minimum qualifications to apply for Police Officer outlined by the Sun Prairie Police & Fire Commission:

Have reached a minimum of 21 years of age at the time of application.
Have no felony convictions or domestic violence convictions unless granted an absolute and unconditional pardon.
Possess a high school diploma or equivalency and 45 college credits at time of application.  Prior to being hired, candidate must possess a minimum of 60 fully accredited college level credits.
U.S. citizenship (State Statute 66.0501)
Vision correctable to 20/20
Successfully complete a background investigation.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Attain any other standards required by the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board including the Fitness Readiness Entrance and Exit Standards if the applicant has not previously completed the state training academy.

ADDITIONAL SCREENING PROCESS
Staff will screen applications for the following standards adopted by the Sun Prairie Police and Fire Commission:

Completed City Employment Application and Questionnaire, with no omission of information
Not be convicted of a crime in the last ten (10) years
Not have a Driver’s License suspended or revoked in the last five (5) years
Not been terminated, or asked to leave a full-time job to avoid termination, in the last two (2) years
Legally able to possess a firearm
The Written Exam (Stanard POST test) will be administered at various times of the year.  This is a general-aptitude test involving reading comprehension, basic math skills, grammar, and spelling.  Candidates must score 70% or better on the Written Exam to continue in the process.  Study guides are available for $4.00 during regular business hours of 8am-4:30pm (M-F) at the Sun Prairie Police Records locations (300 East Main Street and 2598 West Main Street).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Patrols all assigned areas for the prevention of crime and the enforcement of State Statutes and City Ordinances.  Responds to requests for service in both emergency and non-emergency situations and takes appropriate action.
Responds to ambulance calls, provides first responder emergency service until the City’s Emergency Medical Technicians arrive.
Takes action to prevent criminal acts by checking residential, commercial and industrial structures and investigates suspicions conditions, activities or persons.
Responds to the scene of traffic accidents and investigates the accident.  Determines if any traffic laws have been violated and writes a detailed report identifying the circumstances involved in the accidents.
Directs and controls traffic and enforces the established traffic laws.
Provides enforcement of the criminal law: identifies and arrests violators.  Upon arrest, the Police Officer books the violator on charges and prepares a variety of Police reports to be used in the criminal prosecution.
Testifies in court.
Conducts the initial crime investigation at the scene of criminal activity.  Secures the scene, identifies and collects evidence and interviews witnesses.
May be assigned other duties, as needed, for certain periods of time.  May be assigned to field training of new officers, provide animal control services, answers the telephone, dispatches information and provides information to the public on all emergency and non-emergency Police issues.
Routinely utilize in-car computers, as well as desk-top computers, running a variety of software applications.
Insures that all police equipment and police vehicles are properly maintained.
Prepares various written reports/forms and dictates reports for transcription.
May provide information and/or references to other law enforcement agencies when required.

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:
Must possess a minimum of 60 fully accredited college level credits.
Must possess a valid driver’s license with good driving record.
Ability to learn modern Police methods and techniques, preserving evidence and what constitutes admissible evidence.
Good knowledge of the streets and locations within the City and good knowledge of laws and ordinances is preferred.
Considerable skill in the use and care of firearms.
Good skill in observing situations analytically and objectively and recording them clearly and completely.
Considerable skill in reacting quickly and calmly during emergencies; skill in communicating clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; working skill in executing duties firmly, tactfully, courteously, and impartially; considerable skill in exercising good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must have the ability to safely lift 100 pounds from ground to waist level (the weight of one end of an average stretcher/individual combination).
Must possess the physical ability and strength necessary to perform the job safely and effectively and must complete general strength and flexibility testing.
Must have the strength and dexterity to be able to safely and effectively operate a firearm.