Job Description

Opened: 4/18/2023
Closed: when filled


Southwestern University is accepting applications for Police Officer. This position provides a safe environment for students, faculty/staff, and visitors by vehicle or foot patrol. The Police Officer responds to emergencies; assists responding emergency units; and enforces city, county, state, and Federal laws. The Police Officer also ensures that University policies and procedures are followed and promotes the philosophy of the University. This a full-time, fully benefited, non-exempt position who reports to the Chief of Police. Primary Duties:

• Patrol campus grounds by vehicle or foot to prevent crime, enforce policy, laws, and provide a safe environment.
• Conduct security checks of academic buildings, student residences, and all other University buildings and property. Assist in locking and unlocking buildings.
• Respond to emergency calls, routine complaints and disturbances, conduct investigations, and submit appropriate reports.
• Assist with special events for all University or community events on or off campus.
• Perform any other educational, investigative, technical and law enforcement duties as may be assigned.
• Perform individual special assignments (crime prevention, training, traffic, etc.)
• Appear and testify in court as necessary.
• Maintain high visibility, perform police community relation activities by being available to assist staff, students, and visitors, promoting a positive image of the University and the Police Department.
• Monitor campus surroundings and make recommendations for crime prevention.
• Keep records of activities, prepare reports and documentation concerning crimes, complaints.
• Assist other state, county, federal, and local agencies.
• Make daily bank deposits for University business office.
• Perform simple maintenance on department vehicles.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws.
• Knowledge of police department rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of the use and care of vehicles, firearms, and specialized equipment.
• Skill to drive necessary vehicles adeptly.
• Ability to attend and understand police officer training courses.
• Ability to maintain Intermediate Peace Officer certification or above.
• Possess a Texas driver\xe2\x80\x99s license and a good driving record.
• Ability to read and comprehend procedure manuals, reports, memos, laws, statutes and ordinances.
• Ability to write accurate and coherent reports.
• Ability to comprehend basic math.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective, and reasonable course of action.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including a strong work ethic.
• Willingness to adhere to the University\xe2\x80\x99s core values.
• Possess excellent interaction and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Have knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of cultural differences and the diversity within the campus and community.
• Demonstrated professional manner with all internal and external University constituencies.
• Ability to be flexible, adjust to fluctuating priorities, and produce reliable work product.
• Proven ability to perform well in stressful situations.
• Ability and willingness to travel utilizing standard, commercial, and/or personal modes of transportation.
• Understanding and commitment to a liberal arts education, including the ability to relate to a liberal arts faculty.
• Ability to attend work consistently and maintain a regular work schedule.

Preferred Position Requirements:

• Some college work in criminal justice, psychology, or a related field, and/or previous police experience OR any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Advanced certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) and appropriate Texas driver\xe2\x80\x99s license.

Physical Demands:

• Standing (to talk to suspects; question witnesses at a scene; give citations, to communicate with staff; obtain internal and external information; to take firearms test; to conduct training sessions.)
• Sitting (to drive the patrol car; attend/conduct meetings; perform other miscellaneous office tasks; to work at desk; appear in court; to do surveillance work.)
• Walking/Running (varying distances to chase suspects; to move to safety; frequently on concrete; occasionally on all types of surfaces and terrain, including rough terrain, rock or uneven ground, or areas presenting obstacles such as alleys with garbage or debris.)
• Lifting/Carrying (light objects including firearms and recovered property; occasionally 50-100 pounds or over 100 pounds to move victims at the scene of an accident or to assist elderly or disabled persons who have fallen; 50-100 pounds for recovered property such as televisions, etc.; to transport supplies/materials to various programs.)
• Pushing/Pulling (to move vehicles off the road; pull victims from accident scene; push open doors or windows; move obstacles.)
• Reaching (varying distances to open or crawl through windows; at times to reach into vehicles to assist accident victims.)
• Handling/Fine Dexterity (to restrain suspects; use firearms, files, radio, or equipment; recover property; change tires; to do paperwork; make phone calls; to gather, perform tests on and examine evidence; to operate computer, copier and other equipment; possibly to do composite sketches.
• Crouching/Bending/Kneeling/Crawling/Twisting (all types of body positions are assumed to varying degrees depending on the shift worked and the nature of the calls. Example: Chasing and apprehending a suspect in a narrow, small or cramped space; maneuvering around, through, or under various kinds of obstacles; assisting at the scene of an accident, etc.)
• Climbing/Balancing (to go up on roofs; climb stairs in apartment complexes or other buildings; climb ladders to apprehend a suspect or assist in rescue; jump or climb over fences or other obstacles in a chase; etc.)
• Vision (to observe suspects; drive patrol car. Visual discrimination required to distinguish and identify suspect\xe2\x80\x99s clothing, features, license plates, etc; read documents; write; conduct investigations; to examine evidence.)
• Hearing/Talking (to communicate effectively with other officers, other law enforcement/human service agencies, suspects, children, young adults, and the general public.
• Lying on Ground (to take target practice and firearms test; as part of surveillance work.)

Southwestern University offers competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, life, long term disability, retirement, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, undergraduate tuition assistance for you and your dependents, access to athletic facilities, free parking, and discounted meal rates. Southwestern University is a selective, undergraduate institution committed to a broad-based liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts education. Southwestern University is deeply committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and especially encourages applications from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in academia. For information concerning the University, visit our Website at www.southwestern.edu/. To apply: The University will only accept application materials through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/124171. Interested persons must complete the online application completely. Email and paper applications will not be accepted. Only complete applications will be reviewed by the Search Committee. Review of application materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of the University\xe2\x80\x99s Background Check Policy process. EOE/M/F