POLICE CAPTAIN

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under supervision of the Chief or Deputy Chief of Police during an assigned tour of duty, has charge of subordinates engaged in activities intended to provide assistance and protection for persons, safeguard property, assure observance of the laws, and apprehend lawbreakers; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Assigns subordinates to their posts and supervises them in the prevention of crime, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of laws.
• Disciplines subordinates for neglect of duty.
• Assigns subordinates to duty at public gatherings.
• Has charge of a police station.
• Is responsible for seeing that any problems that arise are handled properly.
• Prepares reports and keeps records.
• Supervises the cleaning and maintenance of headquarters.
• When not needed at the headquarters office, patrols area to observe subordinates on duty and to assist in police activities.
• Reviews arrest books, police blotter, rounds books, and property books daily.
• Reviews evidence in cases and the marking of same and supervises the preparation of reports.
• Has responsibility for the safeguarding of prisoners.
• Inspects police equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of needed records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from High School or Vocational High School, or possession of an approved High School Equivalent Certificate.

Experience

Three (3) years of supervisory police experience involving the providing of assistance and protection of persons, the safeguarding of property, the observance of the law, and the apprehension of lawbreakers.

<b>AGE:</b>

Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.

<b>CITIZENSHIP</b>

Must be a citizen of the United States.

<b>MEDICAL EXAMINATION</b>

As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric examination to be administered by the appointing authority. Any psychological, medical, or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties, will be cause for rejection. Failure to demonstrate sufficient capacity to perform the duties of this position may be cause for rejection.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

<b>SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS</b>:

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the laws and ordinances which are significant from the police point of view.
• Knowledge of the problems and procedures involved in working out the internal organization and formulating rules and regulations for the police department.
• Knowledge of the methods likely to be useful in providing citizens and others with proper police information, service, and protection.
• Knowledge of the methods useful in getting people, individually and in groups, to conform to legal and social requirements.
• Knowledge of the types of police communication that are useful and feasible in the police department.
• Knowledge of the methods of detecting, apprehending, placing charges against, safeguarding, and prosecuting of lawbreakers.
• Knowledge of providing police protection at places and times when needed, and of the measures likely to be useful in dealing with juveniles in such a manner as to enlist their support and minimize the types of behavior that lead to juvenile delinquency.
• Ability to analyze and interpret the laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, standards, and procedures and apply them to specific situations and cases.
• Ability to organize the local police work in such a manner as to provide needed service and protection.
• Ability to formulate police rules and regulations.
• Ability to obtain and make effective use of needed funds, personnel, equipment, and quarters.
• Ability to give suitable assignments and instruction to members of the police department, provide them with needed advice and assistance when difficult and unusual problems arise, and check their work to see that proper procedures are followed, that reasonable standards of workmanship, conduct, and output are maintained, and that desired police objectives are achieved.
• Ability to take the lead in establishing and maintaining helpful and cooperative relationships with individuals and groups interested in the maintenance of law and order.
• Ability to see that members of the force treat citizens and others with uniform courtesy and consideration and provide them with proper information and police services.
• Ability to provide police officers direction and assistance necessary to assure the orderly handling of traffic.
• Ability to supervise activities necessary in keeping good order at places where people assemble in large numbers.
• Ability to see that children are provided with the assistance and protection they need.
• Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when controversies and differences of opinion arise.
• Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports and to direct the establishment and maintenance of needed police records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

Appointees to this position must successfully qualify semi-annually in the use of firearms.