Police Community Service Officer

This is work performing a variety of limited administrative, informational, investigative, crime prevention, and traffic-related tasks within the Police Department (TPD).  Bargaining unit position.

Employees in this class perform work of average difficulty under the general supervision of a supervisor in the assigned unit. Incumbents may be assigned to work in a variety of organizational units such as Uniform District, Extra Duty, Records or Special Incident Management. Some employees are assigned to one of two shifts comprising forty (40) hours per week, which might include weekends and holidays. General duties involve the writing of initial police reports and providing assistance to the public. Citizen assistance is rendered in the form of information about laws pertaining to criminal offenses and referrals within and outside the Police Department. Employees must exercise some initiative and independent judgment when deciding the appropriate means for handling calls from citizens and walk-ins. Work is reviewed through reports submitted, conferences, and observation of results accomplished.

Provides assistance to the public, writes initial police reports, compiles statistical data, and performs a variety of other limited administrative, informational, investigative, and traffic-related tasks within organizational units of the Police Department; explains city policies and procedures to the public in order to answer questions or inform them of same; makes citizen referrals as appropriate based on civil or criminal offenses.

Responds to inquiries and reported offenses from citizens over the phone and on a walkin basis; interviews citizens to elicit necessary information regarding reported offenses; takes statements from witnesses and gathers pertinent information; provides information and referrals to citizens needing assistance; conducts phone inquiries to obtain necessary information for later investigation (i.e., record checks, criminal history); prepares and submits police reports on a variety of offenses; proposes appropriate course of action on cases (refer to detectives, contact communications, etc.); determines if police unit should be dispatched to a scene for an investigation in order to facilitate prompt referral of a case; completes report supplements when information needs to be added or corrected; uses computer to enter and retrieve report information, report numbers, warrants, tag, and vehicle identification; receives and forwards evidence to Property Room; requests pickups on stolen vehicles, tags and missing persons; operates radio.

Maintains and updates daily/monthly logs and filing systems for departmental use (Neighborhood Watch, permits, crime prevention programs, pawn cards, impounded vehicles, etc.); compiles statistics and other information from files, records, and logs for use in reports, newsletters, and studies; prepares various types of reports, forms, and correspondence using computer or typewriter; reviews records for accuracy, completeness, and accepted standards; monitors security panel and closed-circuit television.

Assists in conducting latent and field investigations; initiates and completes paperwork necessary for misdemeanor affidavits, forfeitures, etc.; answers subpoenas and testifies in court; assists with monthly parking ticket reports, court cases, etc.; prepares transmittal forms of traffic citations in court; prepares press releases and gives to media.

Assists School Resource Officers in conducting demonstrations for the public; assists the explorer advisor with supervision of the police explorers; conducts tours of the Police Department; assists in coordination of special events; prepares written replies to letters of commendation received from citizens.

Completes daily vehicle inspection reports to determine maintenance requirements for immediate attention at the beginning and end of each shift; inspects motor vehicles for cleanliness and safe operating conditions and to request repairs; transports vehicles to various locations for maintenance work and repairs.

Performs related work as required.

Working knowledge of: the departments, functions, and services available within TPD and the city to provide accurate and timely information and referrals to citizens.

Ability to: learn and interpret pertinent laws, statutes, ordinances, and standard operating procedures necessary to perform the job; establish and maintain effective relations with the public, the media, if necessary, and co-workers; speak and communicate effectively; prepare accurate, complete, and grammatically correct police reports; understand and follow oral and written instructions; interview people and elicit the necessary information for completing reports; render appropriate decisions regarding the necessary course of action in cases; learn and satisfactorily perform various administrative, information, investigative, and traffic-related tasks required in sector assignments; operate office equipment; perform data entry and retrieval using a computer and software; operate a city vehicle, when necessary.

Graduation from an accredited high school, preferably with six (6) months in office work experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license required. 

Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

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