Tawas City Police Department: Police Officer - Full Time Closing Date: March 1, 2023

Supervised By: Chief of Police

Supervises: None

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Chief of Police, performs responsible law enforcement and patrol work.  Works to maintain order, regulate traffic, protect life and property, and prevent crime and disorder.  Provides assistance at the scene of accidents, fires, and other emergency situations.  Performs related work as required.

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions.  These examples do not include all of the duties which the employee may be expected to perform.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Patrol on foot, in a radio-equipped vehicle, or by other approved means to prevent crime and disorder, protect life and property, direct traffic, investigate accidents, and enforce motor vehicle operation and parking regulations.
• Answer calls for assistance and restore order.  Investigate reports of criminal activity.
• Issue citations for parking and traffic infractions, code, ordinance and other violations.
• Assist in the apprehension of wanted persons.  Transport prisoners and assume responsibility for their safety and personal property while in custody.
• Search for, collect, and preserve evidence at crime scenes.  Conduct criminal investigations. Identify suspects and exercise powers of arrest.
• Investigate narcotic violations, organized crime suspects, and juvenile situations, and take appropriate action when necessary.
• Inspect liquor sales establishments and places of entertainment to enforce standards required by law.
• Prepare and maintain reports of accidents, complaints, offenses, and other incidents.  Assist in the prosecution of suspects.  Attend court proceedings as necessary to testify regarding criminal investigations or traffic enforcement activities.
• Serve civil and criminal processes, including warrants and subpoenas.
• Assist at accidents and fires and other emergencies by controlling crowds, directing traffic, and assisting in rescue operations.  Direct traffic at parades, ceremonies and other events.  Perform police escort work as required.
• Provide assistance fingerprinting and photographing suspects, training police auxiliaries, and servicing departmental equipment.
• Operate police vehicles, surveillance and communications equipment, breathalyzers, firearms and other implements approved for use in the line of duty.
• Assist in coordinating activities and informational exchanges with other law enforcement agencies.
• Assist and present safety education and crime prevention programs, such as the Active Crime Prevention Program or the Passive Crime Prevention Program.
• Attend trainings, meetings, workshops, and conferences as directed to maintain proficiency in law enforcement.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Requirements include the following:

• Licensed as a Police Officer by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) or eligible for licensing.
• Valid State of Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of modern law enforcement.
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations applicable in criminal investigative work and municipal police work and skill in following these procedures in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to learn and enforce City ordinances and processes for achieving code compliance.
• Knowledge of the basic rules of evidence and other legal procedures applicable in the prosecution of crimes.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and local ordinances, and the limitations on police authority.
• Skill in the operation of police vehicles, surveillance and communication equipment, firearms, breathalyzers, chemical sprays, and other implements used in the line of duty.
• Ability to work effectively under stress in emergency and confrontational situations according to an established command structure, and observe established procedures.
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions when no assistance is available.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness, and maintain effective working relationships with the public, elected officials, community leaders, victims, detainees, and other professionals.
• Ability to use basic office equipment such as telephone, calculator, photocopier, fax, and computer with applicable software applications such as word processing and specialized department software, as well as email/internet.
• Ability to work shifts of varying lengths and different times of the day, including weekends and holidays, as necessary.
• City employees are expected to possess and maintain a record of orderly, law-abiding citizenship, sobriety, integrity, and loyalty as it pertains to and reflects upon their employment with the City.
• City employees must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential duties of their positions without excessive absences.
• In addition to the above requirements, all City positions require the ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language as necessary for the position, including the ability to follow written and oral instructions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the 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's environment can range from an office setting to highly dangerous law enforcement situations.  Physical demands, therefore, range from sitting in an office or vehicle to exercising the strength, mobility, dexterity, and stamina associated with apprehending criminals.  The employee is regularly required to communicate with others in person and on the telephone or radio, use sight to review documents and assess public safety scenes, and must regularly travel to other locations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to adverse weather conditions, extreme heat, high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, explosives and other dangerous situations. The noise level in the work environment can range from quiet to very loud.

Benefits

• Starting pay $21.50 - $24.00 per hour, depending on experience.
• Employer funded 457 of 8.5% with no required employee contributions
• Employer funded medical, dental, and optical insurances for employee and family
• Employer funded life, short-term disability, and accidental death and dismemberment insurances
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• $35 per month cell phone stipend

*  Benefits are subject to change as we are currently in Contract Negotiations. 

All required equipment necessary to perform the functions of the position is provided.

The Tawas City Police Department is a new department established in 2020 and has a wide array of new equipment to include: 3 - 2020 Dodge Durango V-8 Hemi police vehicles, rifles/shotguns, radars, Laser, in-car cameras and body cameras, laptops mounted in patrol vehicles equipped with LEIN access (Including Talon/Core, Lexis Nexis, etc.)  The City of Tawas City also recently purchased and renovated its new Police Station at 1175 West Lake Street, Tawas City, MI.

To apply, visit tawascity.org and follow the application procedures.  The City of Tawas City is an equal opportunity employer and provides a drug-free work environment. 

Questions may be directed to Chief Matthew Klosowski-Lorenz at 989-362-8680 or emailed to:  policechief@tawascity.org.