PROBATIONARY PATROL OFFICER

Department or Office: Goshen Police Department
Position: Probationary Police Officer / Lateral Probationary Police Officer
Scheduling: 40 Hours
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Date of Announcement: January 2024
Application Deadline: Until position is filled

Job Summary

The responsibilities for this position encompass various essential duties, including patrolling for suspicious activities, conducting traffic enforcement, investigating crimes, and maintaining community visibility. Officers are tasked with protecting life and property, collecting evidence, and fostering connections within the community through education and referrals to appropriate services. They also engage in clerical tasks, assist colleagues as needed, and fulfill other related duties as required. Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent, with preference given to those with an associate or bachelor’s degree, alongside specific age, citizenship, and residency criteria, while physical and mental abilities must align with the demands of police work in various environments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

• Patrolling for suspicious activities or situations and serving as a deterrent to criminal behavior. Responding to calls for service, assessing situations, determining the need for assistance, and taking appropriate action.  
• Conducting traffic enforcement by discouraging behaviors known to be dangerous to the motoring public. Acting as a deterrent to traffic offenses and enforcing traffic laws. 
• Investigate crimes or suspected crimes which occur in the community.
• Maintaining visibility and connecting with community members. Educating community members on safe practices and how to prevent crime. Referring individuals to the appropriate social or public services agencies to address their needs. 
• Taking necessary action to protect life and property. 
• Preserving, protecting and collecting evidence while investigating criminal acts. Apprehending suspects involved in criminal acts. 
• Investigating traffic crashes. 
• Writing reports and completing forms as required. 
• Investigate and develop intelligence on suspected drug activity and/or abuse. 
• Establish contacts with service providers, Department of Child Services, CAPS, etc. 
• Facilitate information gathering, data collection and conduct an ongoing assessment of juvenile crime trends and develop strategies. 
• Become familiar with other duties at the Goshen Police Department. 
• Testifying in court proceedings.  
• Performs various clerical duties including typing, filing, answering/directing telephone calls, scheduling, etc.; takes incoming radio calls. 
• Helps coworkers, as necessary. 
• Performs other related essential duties as required.

 Minimum Training and Experience Required

• High school graduate or equivalency, an associates or bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Special Requirements

• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be 21 years of age and a US citizen.
• Applicant will not be accepted by the police pension after their 40^th birthday.
• Applicant must live within a fifty (50) mile radius of our department. 

Minimum Physical and Mental Abilities

• Ability to operate a variety of automated office machines including typewriter, calculator, copier, computer, telephone/switchboard system, fax machine, two-way radios, etc. 
• Ability to understand and utilize departmental software. 
• Ability to exert physical effort involving the normal duties of a police officer, routine stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching; ability to engage in prolonged visual concentration while working on the computer.
• Ability to participate in departmental training of psychomotor skills. 

Environmental Adaptability

• Ability to work effectively in all possible environments. 

Rate of Pay

• Determined by the current negotiated FOP contract, including all benefits.
• Hiring bonus for lateral transfers who’ve graduated from the Tier 1 Academy (ILEA). 

Work Hours

• Variable hours that can change depending on seniority and staffing needs. 

Applications available in Human Resources, 204 E. Jefferson St., Goshen or online here. 

**Please specify the position you are applying for on your application**

The City of Goshen provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. EOE/Drug Free/Smoke Free