Entry-Level Police Officer

Job Information

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT
2304 WARRENSVILLE CENTER ROAD
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OHIO 44118
216-932-1826
https://www.universityheights.com

Updated: May 09, 2024

Position Title: Entry-Level Police Officer

The utilization of the National Testing Network candidate testing process will allow for a continuous top 20 hiring list to be periodically updated and certified by the Civil Service Commission. Candidates are required to complete a department application to move forward in the process.

UHPD DOES NOT REQUIRE AN APPLICANT TO COMPLETE THE PSSA.

Department Application: https://www.universityheights.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Entry-Level-Packet.pdf

Salary Information: $82,259 – $96,608

Benefit Information: UHPD offers paid holidays, vacations, sick days, and personal time. Comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, and the OP&F Pension Plan are also offered. Extra compensation includes uniform pay, physical fitness pay, education pay, longevity pay, and others.

Department Contact
Anne Botsko, Admin Assistant to the Chief of Police
216-932-1826
[email protected]

Patrolman Job Description

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:
Performs intermediate police department duties involving a variety of general or support duty police assignments; performs related duties as required.  Duties are performed under the regular supervision of a Police Sergeant.  Duties are performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves considerable personal hazard.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
This is medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, running, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and repetitive, motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, and/or quickly; perception of verbal and other aural information receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; preparation and analysis of written or computer data, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions; extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions, and oils.  The employee may be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment.

• Enforcing laws, investigating crimes, controlling traffic, collecting evidence, preparing reports, and issuing warrants and summons.
• On an assigned platoon, operate a patrol vehicle or walk to observe for violations of traffic laws, suspicious activities or persons, and disturbances of law and order.
• Responds to radio dispatches, answers calls and complaints, issues traffic citations, and serves warrants and summons.
• Controls individual and group actions through verbal direction and/or the employment of necessary physical force.
• Makes arrests and testifies in court.
• Provides police escorts, directs traffic, and performs residential and commercial checks.
• Interview victims and witnesses to obtain additional necessary information regarding crime, accident, violation, etc.
• Assist in the investigation of crimes.
• Assist in the collection of evidence and conduct searches.
• Fills out arrest records and prepares reports and records.
• Participates in a variety of in-service and special training programs.
• Responds to and investigates domestic disputes and assists other law enforcement agencies when requested or assigned.
• Transports and cares for prisoners as assigned.
• May be assigned to investigation, crime prevention, selective enforcement, watch desk, communications, or other technical or special support operations.

Performs related tasks as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
General knowledge of police methods, practices, and procedures; general knowledge of the geography of the city and location of important buildings; general knowledge of the rules and regulations of the police department; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear and comprehensive reports; ability to deal courteously but firmly with the public; ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances; skill in the use of firearms and the operation of a motor vehicle; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with associates.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of an appropriate driver’s license valid in the State of Ohio.  Possession of Basic Law Enforcement certificate issued by the State of Ohio.  Must meet and maintain minimum training and experience qualifications for the position as established by the City and State of Ohio.  Possession of LEADS and CCH Certification.

The City of University Heights is an equal-opportunity employer.

Job Requirements

Age: 21

Citizenship Required: Yes

High School Grad/GED: Yes

Valid OHIO Driver’s License: Valid driver’s license

Ability to Read/Speak English: Yes

Vision: 20/20 corrected

College: Not required

Academy Certification: Preferred but not required. If not certified, upon hire, the city will admit the candidate into a local academy.

Prior Experience: Preferred but not required

Necessary Certifications: Prior to appointment, must possess a certificate of passage of the Tri-C Patrol Officer Agility Test or an equivalent valid certificate of passage from a similar issuing body that demonstrates a candidate achieving the Cooper Standards at a 30th percentile level. The certificate of passage must be issued to the candidate within one year prior to submission to the city.

Additional Requirements: Applicants must possess the strength and physical ability to successfully perform the essential job functions of the Police Officer classification and be free of medical conditions that would preclude one from successfully performing said functions or would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of oneself or others. Emotional stability and maturity are also required.

Hiring Process: Applicants will be subject to interviews, HR processes, medical exams, drug testing, polygraph examinations/CVSAs, psychological examinations, and background investigations.

Disqualifiers: The following could be causes for removal from the selection process for employment in the Division of Police:

Provide false, incorrect, or inconsistent information, including a finding of deception as a result of the truth verification test.

A pattern of use or illegal possession of illegal or prescription drugs, including Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Heroin, Ecstasy, Methamphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Methadone, Amphetamines, and or Bath Salts.

Convicted, pled to, or found guilty of possession of a drug of abuse, to include the minor misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana, as an adult.

As an adult, a past pattern of continual or ongoing use of any illegal drugs, including prescription drugs without a prescription.

A pattern of abuse of alcohol to a level that would indicate abuse, dependency, or a level of inability to function without the use of alcohol for any period of time.

Committed, admitted to, or convicted of any drug trafficking charge.

Committed, admitted to, or convicted of any crime related to illegally receiving public assistance.

Convicted of a violent misdemeanor or felony-level crime, Including Domestic Violence.

Arrested, convicted, and incarcerated for a misdemeanor-level crime, including traffic offenses as an adult.

A dishonorable discharge from the military or having demonstrated a past disciplinary history in the military.

Extensive history of motor vehicle accidents, displaying a lack of defense driving ability or traffic convictions for serious traffic offenses (I.E., Reckless operation or Drag Racing), or considered uninsurable at the time of application due to traffic convictions for the following: a. No valid Driver’s License; b. Two or more OVI convictions; c. Leaving the scene of an accident; d. Vehicular Homicide; e. Fleeing and Eluding.

Documented poor employment history, including poor attendance and/or tardiness, poor quality and/or quantity of work, inability to get along with others, poor disciplinary record, etc.

Failure to provide for family/dependents as ordered by the courts, including child support or spousal support, or for which legal obligation of care exists. Any violation of a CPO (civil protection order) or TPO (temporary protection order) for spousal abuse and /or children/dependents.

“Shall not have a history of untruthfulness or possess any other limitations affecting courtroom testimony which could reflect negatively upon his or her credibility as contemplated by the United States Supreme Court authority set forth in Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963); and United States v. Giglio, 405 U.S. 150 (1972) and their progeny.”