Staff Careers

The Police Officer, with moderate supervision, is responsible for the protection of life, property, and facilities of the University community through the proper administration and enforcement of regulations and laws in conformance with standard law enforcement practices in an institution of higher learning. These duties may involve an element of personal danger. Police Officers regularly conduct criminal investigations, perform searches and seizures, arrest offenders, present criminal cases to prosecutors for prosecution in district and municipal courts, respond to medical and other emergencies, write moving traffic violations, and assist other local law enforcement agencies.

Key Responsibilities:
• Patrols, on foot, bicycle or by vehicle, assigned areas for signs of trouble and responds with action appropriate to the situation.
• Considers circumstances of an observed or suspected violation of law and determines whether to initiate an investigation, a search, an arrest, or any other applicable action.
• Becomes involved in investigations, testifies in court, and confers with other law enforcement agencies.
• Collects, analyzes and verifies information from interviews with persons involved. Assesses consistency and value of information received.
• Makes notifications as indicated or needed. Locates, collects, handles and preserves physical evidence. Interviews complainants, witnesses and suspects.
• Directs and controls traffic flow and pedestrian movement on campus.
• Patrols streets and enforces traffic ordinances and laws, issuing traffic citations for moving traffic violations into municipal and district courts as appropriate.
• Enforcement of traffic laws may involve multi-tasking to include driving a vehicle at higher speeds while reading car registration plates; relaying that and other pertinent information on the radio; receiving and monitoring radio traffic; and positioning vehicles to provide for officer, violator and public safety.
• Manages accident scenes by controlling traffic flow, which may include directly traffic for extended periods of time in extreme weather and holding safety i.e., traffic wands) while indicating traffic patterns with arms extended at shoulder height; investigating the cause, which may include photographing and/or sketching diagrams of the scene; and taking appropriate enforcement action. Reports hazardous conditions.
• Completes written reports in compliance with department procedures.
• Determines the necessity of report(s) and completes them promptly using the appropriate report forms. Initiates follow-up reports when a case requires further investigation.
• When applicable, marks and packages evidence and ensure that it is properly documented and stored for later examination or court presentation.
• Reports are to be well organized with narration given in chronological order; concisely written by including all pertinent or required information; easy-to-understand using neat and legible handwriting; and written with correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and word use.
• Apprehends and/or arrests violators of the law, exercising care to ensure legal and constitutional soundness which may involve pursuing a suspect on foot in extreme climates over hilly terrain or obstacles and/or restraining combative individuals.
• Takes suspects into custody and completes the booking process.
• Adheres to the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, state laws, city ordinances, departmental rules and regulations, law enforcement code of ethics and general principles of police work when making an arrest.
• Appears and testifies as a professional witness when summoned.
• Responds to emergency situations, which may involve extreme physical exertion such as running up flights of stairs and carrying necessary equipment; makes immediate decisions based on known facts; initiates immediate action to gain control of the situation; renders necessary aid; and interviews all parties involved.
• Operates emergency vehicle safely and within the guidelines established by the department, which could involve driving at high speeds while relaying and receiving pertinent information over excessive background noise.
• Exercises all appropriate caution to ensure safety of all concerned and minimum property damage whenever feasible.
• Renders aid and assistance to citizens and motorists whenever appropriate.
• Establishes and maintains professional contact with University employees, residents and others common to patrol district to obtain cooperation and favorable attitude in the maintenance of order and effective police protection.
• Uses a variety of communications skills and special techniques when contacting members of the community who may include groups with beliefs contrary to those of the officer. Also persons who may be emotionally excited; as well as people with varied cultural and educational backgrounds in order to maintain control of situations/interviews while avoiding negative consequences such as, escalating a potentially explosive situation; making unsubstantiated accusations or innuendoes; and/or unnecessarily alarming individuals.
• Provides information about police policies, procedures, and techniques as they affect the public. Presents a professional demeanor in accordance with law enforcement code of ethics and a well-groomed appearance in compliance with departmental rules and regulations. Maintains good relations with other law enforcement agencies.
• Develops skills and proficiency in the use of all equipment to include firearms, batons, handcuffs, and vehicles.
• Maintains safe care and control of authorized equipment and vehicles. Keeps all issued equipment readily available and in good repair. Reports all equipment needs to supervisor as those needs arise.
• Maintains annual law enforcement officer certification as required by state statute. Qualifies with duty weapons per department policy.
• Attends all required departmental training and utilizes such training to its fullest extent. Keeps up to date on all legal changes and on all departmental activities affecting the proper discharge of duties.
• Attend in-service training to meet state requirements, hone skills and enhance services.
• Conduct security checks for facilities and grounds to ensure safety and security of university property.
• Complies with all laws, rules, regulations, code of ethics and procedures applying to the law enforcement profession. Maintains certification in first aid principles and is skilled in their application.
• Enforce University rules and regulations as they apply to parking, traffic, safety etc. Direct safety to ensure safe transit for motorist. Performs preventative patrol by operating police patrol vehicle, and-or foot patrol including citing offenses.
• Carries out required and appropriate duties when assigned often with short notice and could involve adverse weather conditions and extended hours. May be required to mentor others in a limited capacity as the situation demands.
• May be assigned to work special investigations on a temporary basis as deemed necessary by the department. Performs surveillance operations sometimes in extreme weather and/or extended periods of time without relief.
• Perform any other tasks necessary for the University to accomplish its mission.

• Minimum qualifications include a high school education or its equivalent, though some college is preferred
• Must be a minimum of 19 years of age
• Possession of a valid driver's license
• Ability to work any shift
• Prior military service members must have an honorable discharge
• U.S. citizenship is required
• Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) Certified is desired
• Successful applicants must pass an extensive background check and medical, drug, and psychological screening before being hired.

The Basic Ability Test (BAT) is required of all Police Officer Recruit applicants, except those applicants who have been previously APOSTC certified and who are required to complete the Refresher training for reinstatement of their Certification or those applicants possessing an earned associate degree or higher degree from a college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), or its regional equivalent.
- Individuals who do not possess a valid ACT WorkKeys Assessment BAT may test at any Alabama Community College within the State. A list of Alabama Community Colleges can be found at http://www.apostc.state.al.us. Applicants or their agencies may contact the community college nearest their location for scheduling and other related information. A fee of $45, payable to the community college, is required prior to testing. Should an applicant fail any segment of the three-segment test, the applicant is allowed to re-take that segment for an additional fee of $15 per segment. The ACT WorkKeys Assessment is available nationwide. Subject to the employing agency's approval, out-of-state applicants may take the ACT WorkKeys Assessment BAT in their home state provided proper documentation of a valid test result is submitted to both the employing agency and APOSTC.

PLEASE NOTE**** Certified candidates must provide a copy of their certification prior to the appointment.

• At least 2 years of experience as a police officer
• Law Enforcement Instructor Certifications
• Prior university experience

$40,792 - $41,000