POLICE ASSISTANT

Code: 08034 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 direction of a Police Chief, Public Safety Director, or other superior officer in a Police Department, performs the routine non-law enforcement duties in a law enforcement environment; assists a Police Officer or other superior officer, in the performance of clerical and routine field duties in conjunction with a training program that will lead to a promotion to Police Officer; does other related work.

Examples of work

• Assigned to and works with Police Officers or other law enforcement officers assigned to juvenile, patrol, and investigation units.
• Aids radio dispatchers by logging messages, relaying calls, and monitoring communication equipment.
• Aids in conducting surveys, research projects, and other public service functions.
• Checks the condition of parking meters and reports vandalized or damaged meters.
• Issues summons to vehicles parked unlawfully.
• Checks for vehicles that are listed as stolen by police and reports them for recovery.
• Regulates the movements of school children at a street intersection.
• Working alone and as a member of a group, informs, educates, and confers with community residents concerning the reduction and elimination of crime targets.
• Makes presentations before community organizations and distributes materials on crime prevention and reporting.
• Surveys the community for unsafe and unsanitary conditions and reports as necessary.
• Receives complaints from the community residents and refers them to appropriate municipal agencies.
• Serves as a liaison between community groups and the police department.
• Learns to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual computerized information systems.
• When authorized, and as assigned, directs traffic at major intersections in times of high volume such as conventions, parades, traffic accidents, and for other traffic congestion emergencies.
• Ensures the safe and effective flow of traffic.
• Oversees the removal of stalled or damaged vehicles that would cause traffic gridlock.
• Assures the safety of pedestrians crossing at intersections.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

Eligibility for appointment in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A: 14- 146, as a Special Law Enforcement Officer (Class 1 Officer) as follows:

Education

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

CITIZENSHIP

United States citizenship

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical 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 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.

BACKGROUND CHECK

Has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty or which would make him unfit to perform the duties of the position.

<b>AGE:</b>

Be not less than 18 or more than 35 years of age at the announced closing date of the promotional examination for Police Officer. One is considered to be over 35 on one's 35th birthday unless one meets the exceptions listed below.

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 essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the problems involved in directing traffic after a period of training.
• Knowledge of the procedures used in keeping records and making reports of conditions and actions taken in accordance with procedures after a period of training.
• Knowledge of the process of issuing summons to vehicles parked unlawfully after a period of training.
• Ability to log messages and relay calls coming in through radio dispatchers, and to monitor communication equipment after a period of training.
• Ability to conduct surveys, research projects, and other public service functions.
• Ability to check the condition of parking metes and report vandalized or damaged meters.
• Ability to use the stolen vehicle computer programs after a period of training.
• Ability to regulate the movements of school children at a street intersection after a period of training.
• Ability to report significant circumstances of an incident, the action taken by all parties, and maintains all relevant records.
• Ability to direct traffic at major intersections in times of high volume such as conventions, parades, traffic accidents, or for other traffic congestion emergencies after a period of training.
• Ability to write reports on incidents after interviewing persons or observing the incident.
• Ability 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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 after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

<b> This title can only be used when an approved Police Assistant Program has been authorized by the Civil Service Commission</b>.

The 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.

MAXIMUM HIRING <b>AGE:</b> REQUIREMENT FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICER

Applicants age 45 and under as of the closing date of the promotional examination for Police Officer, who previously served in the following law enforcement titles, may deduct the amount of time they served from their current age to qualify for the maximum age 35 requirement. However, if they were separated from that prior service due to removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency, the are NOT eligible for this age reduction exception.

TITLES: Municipal Police Officer (&amp; Bilingual in Spanish and English) Sheriff's Officer (&amp; Bilingual in Spanish and English) SEPTA Police Officer County Police Officer State Trooper AMTRAK Police Officer

Applicants over age 45 as of the closing date of the promotional announcement can deduct previous service in the above titles only if they were separated from that service due to layoff. They are not eligible for this age reduction exception if they were separated from that prior service due to removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency.

To qualify for the maximum age 35 requirement, applicants can also deduct, from their actual age, the amount of time they served in the military, only for the period of time during the conflicts and under the conditions specified to qualify for Civil Service Veterans Preference.