Jurisdiction: City Police Department

Jurisdictional Class: Competitive

Date: February, 1978

Revised: 12/20/83, 1/21/98

POLICE SERGEANT

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is law enforcement work involving responsibility for directly supervising the activities of police officers on an assigned shift according to established policies and procedures. An employee in this class assigns, inspects and instructs the work of police officers and assists them in coping with difficult law enforcement situations. Additionally, an employee in this class may be assigned as a desk officer, to the records division, or the investigative unit to assist in criminal investigations. Supervision is received from higher ranking officers; however, employees in this class are expected to use sound judgment in the daily performance of their duties.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES (Illustrative only)

Transmits information and orders to police officers personally, by radio or telephone

Checks Police Officers on foot or car duty, assists them in handling difficult or unusual law enforcement situations and recommends improvements for the execution of their duties;

Reports any breach of duty, inefficiency or disregard of orders by police officers;

Personally takes charge of police activities at the scene of serious accidents, crimes, fires or traffic congestion;

Prepares and reviews police activity reports;

When assigned to desk duty, receives and records all complaints, arrests and confinements;

When assigned to the detective unit, makes criminal, civil and juvenile investigations;

Books prisoners, receives bail and advises police officers as to proper charges to be placed against defendants;

Maintains a variety of department records and reports;

Testifies in court or before a grand jury.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of modern principles and practices of police work; good knowledge of the New York State Penal Law; Code of Criminal Procedure, Vehicle and Traffic Law and all local laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to police work; good knowledge of the geography of the city; some knowledge of scientific methods of crime detection and investigation and criminal identification; familiarity with the operation of radio equipment; ability to supervise and instruct subordinates; skill in the use of firearms; ability to deal courteously but firmly with the public; good judgment; tact; excellent moral character and integrity; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the positions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

36 months (3 years) of satisfactory experience as a Police Officer.