POLICE SERGEANT

Code: 02739 Local Competitive

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 a Police Lieutenant during an assigned tour of duty, has charge of police activities intended to provide assistance and protection for persons, safeguard property, and assure observance of the laws, and apprehends lawbreakers; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Visits and inspects beats, and notes and reports irregularities, fires, and accidents as to their condition and operation.
• Receives complaints and makes needed investigations.
• Gives needed information to citizens and others.
• Notes conditions which are significant from a police standpoint, and takes appropriate action to assure that persons and property are safeguarded and good order is maintained and that police officers are doing their work properly.
• Sees that needed police protection is provided when large sums of money are in transit, when there are fires, outbreaks, and other conditions which may result in disorder, or when large numbers of people congregate for any reason.
• When necessary, apprehends, warns, or takes into custody violators of the law.
• Gives testimony in court.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of reports.
• Keeps 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 experience in police activities intended to provide assistance and protection for persons and property.

<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>

Appointees may be required to pass a thorough physical and psychological 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 appointees to be a hazard to themselves or other, or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties, may 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 local geography, traffic conditions, places of amusement, and local inhabitants prone to disregard police and social requirements. Knowledge of the problems and procedures involved in providing proper police protection for persons and property. Knowledge of the types of police communication that are useful and feasible in the police department. Knowledge of detecting, apprehending, and preparing proper charges against lawbreakers. Knowledge of the procedures followed in providing police protection at places where large sums of money are in transit or when other types of valuable property may be endangered. Ability to analyze and interpret laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, standards, and procedures and apply them to specific cases and situations. Ability to organize police work during an assigned tour of duty, analyze the problems that arise, and develop effective work methods and procedures. Ability to give suitable assignments and instructions to the police officers on duty all or part of the assigned tour of duty, provide them with advice and assistance when difficult and unusual situations 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 treat citizens and others with uniform courtesy and consideration. Ability to answer frequently repeated questions without loss of temper or equanimity. Ability to detect, apprehend, and place proper charges against lawbreakers. Ability to establish and maintain helpful and cooperative relations with civic and business organizations, school officers, recreation and other groups, court officers, and police authorities in other jurisdictions, and others interested in the maintenance of law and order. Ability to make the best use of available personnel and facilities in carrying on police work. Ability to provide needed police protection at places where people assemble in numbers, at places where traffic is heavy, and a tplaces where large sums of money in transit and when other types of valuable property may be endangered. 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 keep and direct the keeping 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. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. Bilingual in Spanish and English. SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Appointees to this position must successfully qualify semi-annually in the use of firearms. LC N/A18-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishLC N/A18- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 3/24/2012