City of Signal Hill
POLICE CORPORAL
Bargaining Unit: POA
Date: June 11, 2024
CENTRAL PURPOSE OF JOB
A Police Corporal is a sworn position under the direction of a Sergeant. The primary duty of the Corporal is to perform the duties of a first line supervisor. Other duties of the job may include assisting in patrol or investigative duties, and supervising patrol functions. In addition to meeting all requirements for Police Officer, the Corporal is required to patrol the City; maintain order; prevent crimes; perform miscellaneous services to the public; investigate and report all breaches of civil and criminal law; testify in courts; conduct investigations as directed; engage in public relations activities as directed; take part in Crime Prevention Programs; act as Watch Commander in the absence of the Sergeant; provide vacation relief for supervisor personnel; and other duties as assigned by a supervisor.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Police Sergeant in that the latter is the supervisory level class responsible for administrative, supervisory, and technical duties in leading program level functions within the department. A Police Sergeant supervises an assigned patrol watch or program unit and provides leadership for ongoing law enforcement, crime prevention and investigative and administrative activities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required t o perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Organizes, assigns, directs, and supervises activities of subordinate personnel, supervises and participates in investigative and field patrol work.
Receives complaints or reports of emergencies and determines the need for police action.
Reviews the work of subordinates to ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
Provides overall technical and administrative direction to personnel on an assigned shift.
Directs training activities within and outside the department.
Prepares reports related to shift activities and operations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (CON’T)
Communicates with supervisory or command staff officers concerning employees and/or events which merit attention.
Takes active responsibility for department property and equipment, with special attention to vehicles, the jail, and the police facility.
Monitors the jail facility and ensures that prisoners are properly housed and cared for. Reviews prisoner status for release or transfer to other facilities.
Maintains discipline and ensures that department rules and policies are followed.
Assists officers in follow-up investigations and personally participates in investigations including the routine gathering of evidence, questioning of witnesses, and apprehension of suspects. Interviews victims, complainants, witnesses, and suspects.
Supervises and participates in all normal shift activities as assigned, including enforcing local and state laws, issuing citations, making arrests, administering first aid and transporting prisoners. Personally appears in court to present evidence and testimony as required.
Assists officers in preparing reports.
Reviews officers crime and arrest reports and approves, or causes needed changes to be made.
Assists in the performance of special investigative and crime prevention duties as required.
Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the investigation of crimes and the apprehension of offenders.
Maintains contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the general public. Can understand and effectively exemplify the values of the department.
Answers questions from the public concerning local and state laws, procedures, and activities of the department.
Develops and maintains good relationships with the public, including informants and contacts, which may be helpful in criminal investigations.
Supervises, trains, and evaluate assigned staff. Performs related duties as assigned. Including all activities described in the job description of “police officer”.
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
The following qualifications are required to apply for the rank of Police Corporal:
Possession of/or has applied for a POST Intermediate Certificate Four years of increasingly responsible experience as a California POST certified Police Officer Two years of experience with the Signal Hill Police Department The following qualifications are desirable to apply for the rank of Police Corporal:
Possession of an Associate degree or equivalent college units Current or prior assignment as a Field Training Officer Current or prior specialized Assignment
Participation in collateral duties
History of community involvement
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Knowledge of:
Police methods and procedures, including patrol, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques, equipment, jail operations, police records and reports.
Departmental rules and regulations.
Criminal law with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence in traffic and criminal cases.
Principles and practices of supervision and training.
Ability to:
Supervise, schedule, and train subordinates. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate and use facts and evidence.
Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
Interpret and apply laws and regulations.
Use and care for firearms
Demonstrate keen powers of observation and memory.
Meet the physical requirements of the department.
Skill to:
Operate an office computer and a variety of work processing and software applications.
Safely and effectively operate a variety of law enforcement equipment, firearms, and a police vehicle in emergency situations.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS
The duties and responsibilities of this position are performed in an office environment and out in the field. The duties involve sitting, standing, and walking for prolonged or intermittent periods of time, and include reaching, bending, and twisting at the waist to perform desk work and operate general office equipment including a personal computer with keyboard for prolonged or intermittent periods of time. The operation of a personal computer requires finger and wrist dexterity and the ability to withstand exposure to vibration, pitch and glare from the computer.
Field duties may involve the ability to stand for extended periods of time; distinguish colors and observe and recognize people, vehicles and environmental conditions during the day and night; recall details concerning incidents, people and occurrences to write thorough, accurate and complete reports; Physical exertion is occasionally required in the field to walk or run over rough terrain, climb stairs or walls, hear radio transmissions in noisy environments such as in a busy intersection; maintain composure and good judgment while under stress.
Incumbents must possess the physical strength and agility to lift up to 100 pounds, bend in all directions, squeeze with arms and hands, pull and lower up to 100 pounds.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Class specifications are only intended to present a descriptive summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specified positions. Therefore, specifications may not include all duties performed by individuals within a classification. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the final qualifications of incumbents within the position.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisor or by law.
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Exhibit C