SKAGIT COUNTY
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position
Title: Deputy
Sheriff-Patrol/Detective
Department: Sheriff’s Office
Report
To: Sergeant
Occupation
Code: 4518
Salary Range: A-L: 1-7
SUMMARY:
Performs
assigned patrol and/or detective law enforcement work necessary to
maintain public peace and order to protect life and property, to prevent
crime, to apprehend suspected violators of the law, and otherwise to
assure the enforcement of State laws and County ordinances under
jurisdiction of the Sheriff's office.
ESSENTIAL
FUNCTIONS:
Drives
a police vehicle to patrol designated areas of the County. Maintains continual
observation of areas patrolled including rural and residential areas and business
and industrial facilities; observes for evidence of illegal activity in
progress, or which has already occurred, or any other irregular activity which
indicates need for attention. Patrols on foot as necessary to perform job
thoroughly.
Uses portable or vehicle-mounted radio transmitters/receivers as necessary to
exchange any and all job-related information.
Operates boat to patrol designated lakes and rivers to enforce applicable
ordinances and to investigate accidents.
Enforces motor vehicle operating regulations. Apprehends violators; issues
warnings or citations, makes arrests or takes other action as deemed warranted
by the circumstances.
Coordinates such activities with city police and/or Washington State Patrol
Officers in accordance with established policy.
Operates radar unit to discover speed violations; performs routine radio check
of vehicle identification against current stolen vehicles and identification of
violator drivers against outstanding arrest warrants.
Checks residential, business and industrial properties for security.
Investigates conditions such as open doors, broken windows, and vehicles parked
in suspicious locations.
Investigates and assists drivers and pedestrians in difficulty. Resolves such
situations or refers to proper authorities.
Directs traffic during abnormal situations such as accidents, fires, or periods
of congestion.
Performs crowd control activities at public gatherings as warranted under
particular circumstances including dispersal of unruly individuals or groups.
Performs civil process activities such as serving subpoenas, writs of
execution, writs of restitution, orders of sale and other civil processes
issued by the courts.
Develops detailed knowledge of County roads, landmarks, local activities and
habits of citizens and suspected or known criminals, and other patterns of
public activity.
Responds to any and all emergency calls, including traffic accidents, public or
private altercations, robberies, burglaries, thefts, industrial or home
injuries, water accidents and deaths.
Responds to personally sensitive calls such as family disturbances, missing
persons, and domestic altercations. Exercises caution relative to personal
safety, safety of others at scene; takes appropriate steps to calm the parties
as necessary to resolve the immediate situation.
Assesses the nature and urgency of the problem upon arrival at scene of call,
whether situation warrants routine or emergency handling, and whether other
deputies or superior officers should be called.
Upon arriving at scene of crime, arrests or detains suspects for probable cause
as warranted; take all steps necessary to preserve and control crime scene;
conducts initial investigation including interview of victims and witness.
Assists detectives at crime scene as required.
Reports to scene of accidents; as necessary, administers first aid; summons
medical personnel; controls accident scene; interviews principles, witnesses;
prepares general sketch of accident scene noting details; and completes
standard accident report. Issues citations or makes arrests as situation
warrants.
Makes arrests or detains suspects employing level of physical force necessary
only to control individuals as warranted under circumstances; handcuffs and
searches individuals; advises individuals of rights; and escorts to County jail
or other detention facility.
Appears in court as arresting deputy to present evidence, facts, details of
circumstances, and otherwise testifies against persons accused of crimes;
responds to questioning and cross-examination from prosecuting and defense
attorneys.
Prepares written reports of sufficient legibility and clarity so that others
without knowledge of the incident or situation can readily comprehends the
facts and that the reports can serve as the basis for subsequent investigations
or for court proceedings and testimony; requires narrative writing, notifying
identifying features, times, places, etc.; must answer the questions "who,
what, when, where, how, why."
Explains content of law to persons involved in a dispute, describing the
process of filing a formal complaint, the extent of law enforcement powers, and
the responsibility of citizens to follow prescribed legal procedures; informs
those involved of the law applicable to their situation and their alternatives
or refers to employee of higher classification.
Transports prisoners for court appearances, medical treatment, or for
incarceration at other location.
Investigates scene of crime; searches for, collects and preserves evidence;
lifts fingerprints; takes photographs as applicable.
Locates and interrogates witnesses, victims, and suspects; obtains statements;
investigates background; assures that interrogations are free from duress.
Investigates and follows up clues and searches for and apprehends violators;
makes arrests and books as situation dictates; advises suspect of rights.
Obtains search warrants as necessary to conduct searches for property, persons
or information applicable to each case.
Analyzes each case to determine the type of charges to be filed; determines the
court in which the case should be filed; recommends disposition of the case to
the prosecuting attorney.
Prepares case summaries and informs prosecuting attorney of the body of
evidence available and persons who may qualify as witnesses.
Develops cases such that credibility of evidence can be established by the
court; develops chain of evidence, establishes points of law for prosecutor;
determines all foundation or points of the crime.
Photographs crime scenes, recovered property, fingerprints, and other physical
evidence as appropriate; utilizes still cameras or video tape equipment, as
appropriate.
Makes detailed sketches of crime scenes or other incidents to depict and
clarify facts and circumstances of the case.
Intakes, identifies and codes impounded property or property held as evidence;
releases when case is completed or as otherwise authorized.
Determines when missing property should be entered into computer for
notification to other jurisdictions.
Maintains surveillance on known agitators, suspected narcotic peddlers and
other criminal suspects.
Keeps other deputies informed of cases in which property, persons or
information is wanted; directs and coordinates their efforts and assistance as
appropriate to the case.
Maintains liaison with surrounding city police departments, State Patrol, federal
law enforcement agencies and relevant community service agencies.
Arranges for technical assistance from federal, state or other agencies as
needed, such as that provided by specialist in identifications, ballistics,
laboratory analysis, or toxicology.
Reads and interprets laws such as RCW, Chapter 9A, Crime and Punishment, in
order to determine application of law to any case at hand. Performs any and all
duties as described in Deputy Sheriff - Patrol Officer job description.
Trains and directs less experienced employees as authorized and directed.
Prepares material for and presents police-related classes for informational
sessions to other employees, school classes, scouts or other public groups.
Performs property inventory and control, and other desk duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum 21 years of age and a
U.S. citizen.
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Must be able to read and write
the English language.
- Ability to satisfactorily
complete course work and training such as Basic Law Enforcement School
established under the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission, and
other in-service training in methods, procedures and techniques of law
enforcement work presented by command officers in the department or by
attendance at special schools.
- RCW 43.101.200 Law enforcement
personnel --basic law enforcement training required-- Commission to
provide.
- (1) All law enforcement
personnel, except volunteers and reserve officers whether paid or unpaid,
initially employed on or after January 1, 1978, shall engage in basic law
enforcement training which complies with standards adopted by the
commission pursuant to RCW 43.101.080 and *43.101.160. For personnel
initially employed before January 1, 1990, such training shall be
successfully completed during the first fifteen months of employment of
such personnel unless otherwise extended or waived by the commission and
shall be requisite to the continuation of such employment. Personnel
initially employed on or after January 1, 1990, shall commence basic
training during the first six months of employment unless the basic
training requirement is otherwise waived or extended by the commission.
Successful completion of basic training is requisite to the continuation
of employment of such personnel initially employed on or after January 1,
1990.
- (2) The commission shall
provide the aforementioned training together with necessary facilities,
supplies, materials, and the board and room of non-commuting attendees
for seven days per week. Additionally, the commission shall reimburse to
participating law enforcement agencies with ten or less full-time
commissioned patrol officers the cost of temporary replacement of each
officer who is enrolled in basic law enforcement training provided, that
replacement not to exceed the total amount of salary and benefits
received by the replaced officer during his/her training period. [1989 c
299 2; 1977 ex.s.c 212 2.]
- *Reviser's note: RCW
43.101.160 was repealed by 1983 c 197 55, effective June 30, 1987.
- Lateral Entry - Two of the last
five years as full-time commissioned police officer or deputy sheriff.
Current Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission
certification.
REQUIRES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Principles and techniques of
modern crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, criminal
identification, rules of evidence, record keeping, and all other aspects
of law enforcement.
- Rules, regulations, and
procedures of the Skagit County Sheriff's Department.
- Behavior of criminals and
causes underlying criminality.
REQUIRESTHE
ABILITY TO:
·
Analyze complex police problems and to adopt quick, reasonable
courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances.
·
Ability to schedule duties to be consistent with an eight-hour
working day.
·
Develop and maintain adequate written case documentation and to
assure proper paper flow of case-closed files into central filing system.
·
Work multiple cases at one time and to assure continuity and
development of each case.
·
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with
other public officials and the general public.
·
Learn principles and techniques of modern crime prevention,
investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and all other aspects of law
enforcement.
·
Learn to read, interpret, and properly apply laws applicable to
law enforcement work.
·
Acquire skill in the use and care of firearms and the conditions
under which they may be employed in accordance with department regulations.
·
Express self clearly and concisely in speaking and writing and
legibly in writing or printing the English language.
·
Memorize and recall detail, e.g., names, faces, incidents,
identification of objects.
·
Maintain composure and self-control under adverse conditions.
·
Cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and with
respect for the rights of the citizens.
·
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with
other employees.
·
Perform duties and maintain professional conduct, attitude and
appearance that conforms to strict policies, procedures, discipline.
·
Hold self in readiness at all times to answer calls, accept
authority, obey orders of superiors, and accept a strict personal and
organizational code of conduct and ethics.
·
Maintain balanced perspective about life in general while
continuous exposure to the criminal element of society.
·
Adjust to a lifestyle that requires working in a disciplined
environment, and irregular working hours.
LICENCES
and/or CERTIFICATIONS:
Ability
to obtain officially approved standard first-aid certification.
Must
have a valid Washington State Driver's License.
WORKING
CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to physically handle persons resisting arrest and/or detention which
may involve running, tackling, fist fights and wrestling.
Eyesight
must be such that the person can qualify with his firearm twice a year.
Patrol/Detective work is typically performed in a patrol car and at various
locations
throughout the County. Physical hazard is continually present due to the nature
of police
work. Requires working rotating shifts and days of the week.
Supplemental
Information:
HAZARDS:
Physical
hazard is continually present due to the nature of policework. Exposure
to people who may be angry, defensive, or volatile.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
The statements contained herein reflect
general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this
position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of
responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work
requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work
in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work
periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position
description may be made at the discretion of the employer.
Skagit County, as an equal employment
opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
It is the policy of Skagit County to follow
all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination with regard to race,
color religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status and/or physical or
mental disability in its employment practices.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who
need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test, or interview process, please call: (360) 336-9433.
The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.
