While in the Policy Academy, will train to perform law enforcement and crime prevention work for the protection of life and property; to maintain order, enforce laws and ordinances, protect life and property within the Town by performing a combination of duties: suppressant crime patrol, directing traffic, issuing citations, summonses, investigating traffic accidents, apprehending and arresting suspects, processing prisoners, protecting crime scenes; and to perform general and specific assignments from superior officers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Provide service to the citizens in an efficient and professional manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. The position description is subject to change by the Town as the needs of the Town and requirements of the position change. 

• Follow academy policies, procedures and rules, while learning the following Police duties.
• Patrols the Town and receives dispatched calls for service to help prevent crime, aid citizens needing assistance and arrest violators of the law. 
• Enforces traffic laws to ensure safe motor vehicle operation throughout the Town.
• Prepares written reports as required by specific assignments. 
• Answers, screens, and refers calls from citizens requesting police services. 
• Investigates reports of criminal activity, interviews victims and witnesses, seeks, gathers, and submits evidence for processing, interrogates suspects and arrests suspected offenders. 
• Testifies in court as required. 
• Instructs citizens, businesses, schools and civic organizations about methods and techniques that may help prevent one from becoming a victim of crime. 
• Develops and implements community-based policing strategies and programs. 
• Responds to emergency calls and routine complaints and disturbances and takes necessary action. 
• Directs traffic, operates traffic monitoring equipment, and issues traffic citations. 
• Conducts investigations of traffic accidents and crimes against persons and property. 
• Questions witnesses, complainants, victims and suspects and takes statements. 
• Apprehends suspects. 
• Processes prisoners, including fingerprinting, photography, enduring magistrate warnings by a judge, searching prisoners, recording, and securing the prisoner’s property, and transporting prisoners to an appropriate facility. 
• Shares information and works with other law enforcement agencies as directed and appropriate.
• Assists EMS personnel, firefighters, animal control and Town departments as required.
• Conducts security checks of businesses and residential areas on patrol route.
• Fosters good police-community relations among residents and civilian population.
• Monitors roadway and weather conditions, reporting any potential problems to appropriate agencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this position successfully, an individual(s) must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have high school diploma, GED equivalency certificate, or a minimum of 12 semester hours from an accredited college or university.
• If discharged from the military, must have an honorable discharge or a discharge status that does not fall under conduct unbecoming.
• Must be registered with Selective Service, if required by law.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English language in a manner which is understandable and discernable to others.
• Must be certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) or be able to complete a TCOLE recognized police academy, or challenge and pass a TCOLE certification examination resulting in certification as a Texas Peace Officer by date of hire.  The department may choose to hire an applicant and send him/her through a police academy if desired.
• Must be willing to work any shift.
• Must be willing to respond when called to duty outside of normal shifts.
• Must be willing to meet grooming and dress code requirements.
• Must be able to visually perceive and identify the colors of red, blue, green, yellow, and brown.
• Must successfully pass a physical agility examination administered by the department, if applicable.
• Must be able to successfully pass a written examination provided by the department.
• Must be able to pass an oral interview.
• Must be able to pass an extensive background investigation, to include:
  • Personal and family history.
  • Credit history, including creditors.
  • Education, including all schools attended and degrees and/or certificates obtained.
  • All residences for the past ten (10) years.
  • Comprehensive employment history.
  • Criminal history search, including all arrests, locations, dates and dispositions.
  • Driving history.
  • An inquiry of family, friends, and associates as to character and reputation, plus as informal interview with applicant’s spouse or significant other, as well as ex-spouses.
• Must successfully pass a psychological examination provided by the department.
• Must successfully pass a medical examination provided by the department; to include drug screening.
• Must successfully pass a polygraph test, if applicable.
• Must be of good moral character.
• Must pass any other standards set by law or by policy of TCOLE.
• Must not have been convicted more than three (3) moving traffic violations during the past twenty-four (24) months or five (5) moving traffic violations during the last thirty-six (36) months.
• Must not have been at fault in more than two (2) motor vehicle accidents in the past twenty-four (24) months.
• Must not have been convicted of DWI/DUI within the past ten (10) years and/or more than once. 
• Must not have been convicted, or admit guilt, of DWLS/DWLI within the past ten (10) years and/or more than once. (Class B misdemeanor only)
• Must not have been convicted of Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility within the past two (2) years and/or more than once.
• Must not have a conviction or admission of a Felony or Class A offense.
• Must not have a conviction of any Class B misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years.
• Must not have a conviction of a Family Violence related offense.
• Must not be on probation or currently under indictment for any criminal offense.
• Must not have possessed or used marijuana in the past three (3) years.
• Must not have possessed or used any hallucinogenic drug.
• Must not have used any form of cocaine, methamphetamine, and/or ecstasy in the past ten (10) years and never more than five (5) times.
• Must not have ingested, by any means, or abused glue, paints, or other inhalants.
• Must not have abused prescription drugs within past five (5) years.
• Must not have manufactured or sold any illegal substances.
• Must be capable of performing all essential job functions.
• Must not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable specifically; under other than honorable conditions; bad conduct; dishonorable; or any other characterization of service indicating bad behavior.
• Must be of a good moral character.
• Cannot be prohibited by state or federal law from operating a motor vehicle.
• Cannot be prohibited by state or federal law from processing firearms or ammunition.
• Cannot have violated any TCOLE rule or provision of Occupation Code, Chapter 1701.
• Ability to make quick and sound decisions in stressful situations.
• Ability to work in hazardous conditions.
• Ability to pass an extensive background investigation conducted by the Northlake Police Department. 
• Ability to demonstrate basic mathematical ability in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to pass a medical examination, polygraph, psychological and/or drug screen if required by the Town of Northlake and/or the State of Texas. 

• High School Diploma or GED; or 
• At least 12 semester hours from accredited college or university.

• Must possess, or be able to obtain prior to employment, a valid Texas Driver License.
• Must be able to obtain TCOLE certification by date of employment.
• The department may hire applicants and send them to the police academy if so desired.