community service officer
qualifications
- Must be a US Citizen
- Must possess a High School Diploma, the equivalent, or a G.E.D. Further education beyond High School is preferred
- Current, valid, Minnesota Driver’s License
- Must be 18 years of age at the time of appointment
- Must never have been convicted of a felony
becoming a community service officer
This is a non-sworn position within the Police Department. Work involves
communication and public contact activities performing public safety and legal support
work, organizing and maintaining information, and performing routine non-emergency
duties. The employee, for the most part, will be under the supervision of the
administrative or patrol captain and staff. Work is subject to check/review and
observation on a periodic basis with review of written reports for completeness and form.
Both written and verbal communication skills must be excellent.
(Any one position of this class may not include all duties listed, nor do listed
examples include all duties that may be found in positions of this class).
Receives via PBX and in person from the general public crime and service reports
and documents them according to the rules and regulations of the department;
Directs part-time Police Apprentice and other part-time Community Service
officers as assigned;
Logs in, tags, stores, and safeguards property and evidence and follows up on
disposition of property;
Performs parking control activities, checks meters, parking lots, alleys, and city
streets for parking violations and writes tickets for violations when observed; Conducts
bicycle patrol and park patrol activities as assigned; occasional traffic control;
Receives and routes calls with multiple lines, takes messages from visitors and/or
telephone calls and distributes, communicates with other law enforcement agencies via
telephone and computer terminal;
Enters data from crime reports and service reports into the computer system; files
and retrieves records; Maintains records of lost, stolen, or abandoned property in
evidence;
Assists persons completing forms or applications with standard/routine information,
answers questions from the general public such as project status complaints, law
interpretation, or referral to appropriate agency;
Explains public safety programs, policies, and procedures to the public and
conducts crime prevention programs such as Operation I.D. and Crime Free Multi-
Housing;
Checks inventory of property and supplies for the department, delivers vehicles
for maintenance and repairs, delivers messages and mail and other forms of
communication within the department and/or other departments and divisions of city
government;
Arranges for notification of officers for court appearances of witnesses, and
maintains court calendars for police officers, delivers trial notices;
Enters data into the computer system relative to parking ticket warrant information
and other warrants as directed, contacts by telephone those persons for whom a
warrant has been issued relative to parking violations;
Delivers to the court information and swears to same before the judge,
occasionally transports prisoners for court appearances;
Greets the public and acquaints them with facility and services provided, answers
routine inquiries regarding hours, locations, general procedures, etc.;
Performs related work as assigned.
Graduation from a standard high school with a diploma and some experience in
law enforcement activities such as records, dispatch, communications, security,
corrections, or enforcement related activities. Must possess valid Class D State of
Minnesota driver’s license, and may be required to obtain motorcycle endorsement if
assigned to parking control.
Must be able to pass an extensive background investigation and have a clear
criminal record.
Some experience as a law enforcement dispatcher or records clerk is desirable,
or in lieu thereof advanced studies in criminal justice at the vocational technical college
or university levels;
Must be capable of interacting well with the public and co-workers in person and
over the telephone;
Must have good reading skills and comprehension skills; must be able to write
clearly, accurately, and legibly; must be able to read and follow somewhat complex
directions and procedures; must be accurate and thorough in the preparation of written
reports.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be
met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit
for prolonged periods of time and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to
walk, and frequently uses hands to operate office equipment.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Ability to read, write, hear, and speak English in order to understand and carry out
oral and written instructions; make effective use of radio communications and
transmittals; read, understand, and uniformly enforce laws, ordinances, rules, and
regulations; communicate effectively orally and in writing; report occurrences and issue
parking tickets; communicate with the public, prepare reports, and compose or edit
assigned written material.
Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the
rights of others;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental
personnel and to work with citizens from varied ethnic, racial, or economic backgrounds;
must demonstrate honesty and integrity in personal behavior and attitudes;
Ability to observe and remember details;
Must be able to follow orders without resistance and with full intention to comply
effectively;
Must be capable of tolerating long hours of duty that may include rotating shifts;
Must be free of substance abuse tendencies (both legal and illegal) in order to
maintain effective job performance;
Must demonstrate a level of social maturity and self-assurance sufficient to carry
out tedious, unpleasant, or repetitious tasks as required;
Must be free of conditions that would endanger self or others in the carrying out of
duties;
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision,
color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be assigned to
frequently work in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near
moving mechanical parts; is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions,
fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and
vibration.
in the community
