Public Safety Officer

General Purpose

A Public Safety officer patrols the Town of Highland Park in order to enforce all Town ordinances and state and federal laws, drives emergency vehicles, performs fire fighting duties, and provides emergency medical treatment to the sick or injured.

Supervision Received & Exercised

Public Safety officers report to the Operations sergeant. No supervision is exercised in this position.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements or duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position:

• Works on assigned shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation of accidents, detection, investigation, and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct. Performs emergency aid activities including administering first aid and providing other assistance as required
• Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance
• Monitors compliance of federal, state, county, and Town laws and ordinances
• Patrols Town streets, parks, commercial, and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies, and other law violations', and to otherwise serve and protect
• Responds to all radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law enforcement action
• Interrogates suspects, witnesses, and drivers. Preserves evidence. Arrests violators. Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summons medical, fire, and other law enforcement vehicles. Takes measurements, photographs, and draws diagrams of scene
• Conducts follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victims, witnesses, and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scene of crimes for clues. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders. Gives testimony and testifies in court proceedings
• Prepares a variety of reports and records including officer vehicle inventory / trip sheet, field interrogation report, vehicle impound form, call sheet dispositions, accident reports, arrest reports, offense reports, etc.
• Undertakes community-oriented Public Safety work and assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, home security checks, traffic safety, etc. Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, fire prevention topics, and station tours
• Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the Town limits, obtains evidences and compiles information regarding these crimes, prepares cases for filing of charges, testifies in court, and related activities
• Conducts patrol activities including directing traffic, investigation of reported or observed violations of law, and conducting patrol activities
• Coordinates activities with other officers or other Town departments as needed, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the Town Attorney regarding cases, policies, and procedures, as needed and assigned
• Maintains contact with Public Safety supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provides mutual assistance during emergency situations, and provides general information about department activities
• Maintains departmental equipment, supplies, and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of facilities and equipment, cleans and washes walls and floors, cares for grounds around station, makes minor repairs, washes, hangs, and dries hose, and washes, cleans, polishes, maintains, and tests apparatus and equipment
• Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment, and extinguishing tasks
• Participates in Public Safety drills, maintains required certifications via in-house and off-premises training in police, firefighting, emergency medical activities, hazardous materials, and related subjects
• Operates radio and other communication equipment
• Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs
• Performs salvage operations at fire scene such as sweeping water and removing debris