Full Text
County of Alpine Adopted: 05/07/02 Amended: 10/19/2010 SHERIFF’S SERGEANT DEFINITION Under direction, to supervise and participate in the law enforcement and crime prevention activities of the Sheriff’s Department; and to perform related duties as assigned. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is a first-line supervisory classification responsible for both supervising and performing law enforcement and crime prevention activities in Alpine County. This classification differs from the Public Safety Supervisor classification in that the incumbent of the latter class is responsible for both law enforcement and fire suppression activities. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES – Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Plans and directs the activities and operations of assigned shift. Schedules, assigns, supervises and evaluates the work of assigned officers; ensures subordinates’ compliance with departmental rules and regulations; recommends and/or implements disciplinary action as necessary. Participates in officer and civilian employee training; may organize and conduct specialized training as assigned. Reviews and evaluates reports of subordinate officers for accuracy, completeness and compliance with departmental policies and procedures; determines and monitors follow-up actions required; prepares and submits a variety of law enforcement reports, records and correspondence. Analyzes departmental activities and policies and makes recommendations to increase unit and overall departmental effectiveness and efficiency. Conducts shift briefings. Inspects weapons, vehicles and equipment for proper condition and compliance with departmental policies and standards; maintains assigned equipment. Patrols streets, road and highways within the County; maintains surveillance to prevent or detect criminal activity and traffic violations; responds to dispatched calls and emergencies; provides back-up assistance to other officers as needed; responds to and supervises significant and/or major incidents; locates, apprehends and arrests law violators; performs physical searches and seizures; completes appropriate paperwork; transports detainees for booking. ---PAGE BREAK--- Sheriff’s Sergeant Page 2 Supervises crime scenes and determines the need for additional or specialized law enforcement personnel. Assists in coordinating and implementing search and rescue operations and other emergency / disaster response operations as required. Responds to and investigates traffic accidents; participates in traffic enforcement activities. Assists with criminal investigation activities, including the collection of evidence and the questioning of suspects and witnesses. Testifies and presents evidence in court. Conducts internal affairs investigations as assigned. Cooperates with other law enforcement agencies on cases and projects as appropriate. Receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns and complaints from the public regarding police and public safety matters. Supervises the duties of dispatch personnel as assigned. Keeps supervisor informed of operational or personnel problems encountered. Keeps abreast of changing laws, codes and regulations affecting department operations and law enforcement activities. Represents the Sheriff’s Department by attending community meetings and events; participates in crime prevention / education and community relations efforts. Coordinates, supervises and/or participates in special teams, assignments, programs or projects as directed. Operates a law enforcement vehicle, safety equipment, firearms and other weapons, avalanche locator, snow mobile, and other law enforcement equipment; operates general office equipment including a computer, two-way radio, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, etc. Maintains proficiency in the use and care of firearms and other law enforcement equipment. ---PAGE BREAK--- Sheriff’s Sergeant Page 3 Performs general administrative and clerical duties as required, including but not limited to attending meetings, preparing reports, copying and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone, entering computer data, etc. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: All pertinent federal, state and county laws, codes, ordinances, regulations and standards affecting Sheriff’s Department operations. Modern principles and practices of training, supervision and performance evaluation. Modern law enforcement methods and procedures, including patrol, criminal investigations, traffic control and dispatching. Administrative principles involved in implementing and supervising various law enforcement programs and related activities. Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the identification, marking, preservation and presentation of evidence. Proper and effective methods of deploying law enforcement personnel. The layout of local roads and the locations and characteristics of various neighborhoods. Other state and local law enforcement agencies. Courtroom procedures and legal practices. Firearms, automotive, radio and other law enforcement equipment. Basic mathematics. Business letter writing and report preparation; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. Modern office procedures, practices and technology. Principles and practices of law enforcement records and file management. The use of computers for word and data processing, and records management. ---PAGE BREAK--- Sheriff’s Sergeant Page 4 Safe work practices. Public / community relations techniques. Ability to: Interpret, apply and enforce pertinent policies, laws, rules and regulations. Effectively supervise a variety of law enforcement activities. Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff. Plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Keep abreast of trends, technology and requirements in law enforcement administration and operations. Evaluate department functions and operations and develop recommendations to improve service and efficiency. Perform responsible police work in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines. Work under stressful or dangerous conditions, often involving considerable personal risk or risk to others. Observe, remember and recall detailed information, names, faces and facts. Appraise situations and people accurately and quickly and adopt an effective course of action. Properly use firearms and other work-related equipment. Analyze problems encountered in areas of responsibility, evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations. Exercise sound, independent judgment within general policy guidelines. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Deal courteously, yet firmly and effectively with the public in police situations. Deal effectively with persons of various socio-economic and educational backgrounds. ---PAGE BREAK--- Sheriff’s Sergeant Page 5 Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion. Represent the County effectively in meetings with others and make presentations to various groups. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Maintain detailed, accurate records and prepare clear and concise reports as required. Effectively use computers for record-keeping and report preparation. Make required calculations accurately as required. Meet the physical requirements necessary for successful job performance. Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent. Completion of college-level coursework leading to an Associate’s degree in criminal justice, police science or closely related field is desirable. Experience: Four years of progressively responsible local law enforcement experience. Other Requirements: Possession of a valid California driver’s license. Possession of an Intermediate P.O.S.T. certificate or the ability to obtain an Intermediate P.O.S.T. certificate within one year of promotion. Possession of, or the ability to obtain, P.O.S.T. Advanced and Supervisory certificates is highly desirable. TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 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. Requires the mobility to work in an office and field environment. Requires the ability to sit, walk, stand, run, jump, climb, balance, bend, squat, twist and reach while performing office duties and police work; lift and/or move the average weight of a person (approximately 165 pounds) and take physical charge of a person in rescue or restraint situations; use hands ---PAGE BREAK--- Sheriff’s Sergeant Page 6 to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools and controls. Must be able to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating firearms and other law enforcement equipment; must be able to hear normal speech and other audible events, even in combination with other environmental and equipment noise. Must be able to use a telephone to communicate verbally and a keyboard to communicate through written means, to review information and enter/retrieve data, to see and read characters on a computer screen. Requires the strength and stamina to perform law enforcement duties, including handling firearms, pursuing suspects and making arrests, retraining uncooperative persons, performing search and rescue operations, and driving a motor vehicle.