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About the Role
WEST POINT POLICE DEPARTMENT, an Accredited Agency located within the Town of West Point, Virginia, population 3300+ is seeking applicants for the position of Certified Police Officer I.
Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Certification required; criminal background and DMV history required. Physical examination to include a drug screen, polygraph examination, and a psychological evaluation will also be required. Position is permanent and full-time while working during a probationary period. Position may be a night shift position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Patrols assigned area looking for suspicious activity, crimes and emergencies
Assesses the situation and takes appropriate action as necessary
Talks with community groups, residential and business organizations, and members of the public to develop relationships and to provide visible security to deter crime
Conducts property, business and welfare checks
Enforce state and local traffic laws and regulations
Responds to traffic accidents and writes reports as necessary in accordance with state and local laws
Cooperates with other law enforcement agencies to establish mutual assistance
Responds to domestic and non-domestic incidents
Responsible for making arrests, finger prints and transfer of subject to multiple locations
Collects and stores evidence in accordance with established policies and procedures
Assists in various phases of criminal investigations including interviewing witnesses, pursuing leads, apprehending and questioning suspects
Works with Commonwealth Attorney to review facts and evidence; testifies in court
Responsible for complete case files sent to the Commonwealth Attorney
Patrols school functions and provides security at community events
Report hazards that endanger public safety to supervisor and appropriate departments
Responds to a variety of complaints and requests for assistance from the public and provides advice and assistance
Maintains police duty gear, weapons, vehicles and equipment to ensure proper working condition and cleanliness
Prepares and files written reports and associated paperwork as required in conjunction with these tasks
If assignment is the SRO for the schools, a monthly status report is required and sent to the Chief of Police.
Requirements
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.Â
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent required. Prior police or military experience preferred.
Compliance with requirements of Code of Virginia Section 15.2 – 1705 as amended is required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of basic police equipment including qualification with lethal and non-lethal weapons
Knowledge of Virginia Criminal Code, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Criminal Procedures Law, Alcohol Beverage Control Law, and local regulations and ordinances
Knowledge of policy and procedures as approved by the Chief of Police
Knowledge of local resources to assist the public
Knowledge of the geography, buildings and facilities in the community
Skill in the application of self-defense techniques
Ability to interrogate and interview
Ability to deal courteously and effectively with the public
Ability to remain calm, analyze and react swiftly in situations involving high stress and danger
Ability to follow orders, standard operating procedures, and established protocols
Licenses or Certifications:Â
Valid operators license; upon appointment and thereafter, a valid Virginia Operators license
Law Enforcement Officer Certification from Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services with recertification as required by DCJS
Qualified with firearms
Completion of additional training as needed to maintain current certifications, understand changes in laws and regulations, and learn specialized services (for example, radar certification, first aid training)
About the Agency
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the West Point Police Department to serve all people within our jurisdiction with respect, fairness and compassion. The West Point Police Department is committed to partnering responsively and professionally with Town individuals and businesses to reduce crime and enhance public safety.
Organizational Values
Pride
We are committed to conducting ourselves in a manner that brings honor to the department, the Town, and ourselves.
Respect
We are committed to respecting the individual rights, human dignity and the value of all members of the community and the department.
Integrity
We are committed to nurturing the public trust by holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics.
Dedication
We are committed to providing the highest quality of law enforcement service to the community with the goal of enhancing the quality of life within the Town of West Point, Virginia.
Excellence
We are committed to achieving a level of performance that exceeds all expectations. We begin with Pride and end with Excellence
Accreditation
The department strives to remain current in its involvement in programs designed to educate the public about safety, awareness, and its law enforcement efforts in the community. One such way to promote these efforts in conjunction with conforming to the best management practices law enforcement is to become an accredited agency. The West Point Police Department accomplished this feat in 2013 and remains an active voice in the process throughout Virginia and the country and was re-accredited in 2017 and again in 2021. West Point continues to serve as a model to agencies both large and small on how a professional law enforcement organization functions.
The department has reached several of its original goals that the citizens of the Town of West Point originally had for their police department. The response times for calls for service have been reduced by fifty percent since the inception of the department. Through community police-oriented programs, we have built a relationship of trust and confidence in the community we serve. Citizens and officers are working together to deter and solve crimes that occur in our community. The West Point Police Department presently consists of a Chief of Police, Sergeant, two School Resource Officers, seven Patrol officers, one Investigator, and non-sworn civilian employees. The Chief of Police and/or the Public Information Officer frequently publish articles with the local news media to inform citizens of our education, public safety, and enforcement efforts. The technological advancement has been achieved through grants and personal expertise of its members.