Patrol Officer

The incumbent holds the rank of Corporal or Patrol Officer and serves within the Patrol Division of the Evansville Police Department, assigned to a Patrol Sector or other specialized assignment. The position is responsible for enforcing local, state, and federal laws, protecting life and property, maintaining public order, and providing professional police services to the community.

• Enforce local, state, and federal laws through proactive patrol, crime prevention, and investigations.
• Patrol assigned areas to ensure the security of residences, businesses, and public spaces.
• Respond to calls for service, including emergencies, domestic incidents, unlawful activity, and public assistance.
• Conduct traffic enforcement, issue citations, and effect lawful arrests as warranted.
• Investigate accidents, provide first aid, and coordinate with emergency responders.
• Pursue, apprehend, and arrest suspects using appropriate levels of force.
• Participate in investigations by collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing reports.
• Testify in court as required.
• Maintain departmental equipment, uniforms, and assigned vehicles.
• Provide community services such as escorts and motorist assistance.
• Direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic as needed.
• Attend shift briefings and required training programs.
• Prepare and submit reports in accordance with departmental policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Patrol assigned area on foot or drive a vehicle searching for suspicious activity or situations or checking for persons in need of service.
• Monitor radio and other communication devices to receive assigned runs and to maintain awareness of activities in assigned areas or by other officers.

• Respond to assigned runs by driving, walking, or running to specified locations, assess situations, determine need for other assistance, and take appropriate action.
• Move people away from danger, including carrying unconscious individuals, and providing emergency aid to injured persons.
• Investigate accidents, extract victims, provide emergency aid, gather evidence, record observations and witness statements, request assistance from other officers or agencies as needed, direct the removal of vehicles, and ensure the area is clear.
• Search crime scenes, preserve and protect evidence, and record findings and observations.
• Pursue, apprehend, search, and arrest suspects using only necessary force, advise suspect of their rights, and transport them to detention areas.
• Using appropriate equipment and weapons, restrain individuals from physically striking or injuring others.
• Drive a vehicle at high speed when necessary due to the nature of an emergency.
• Report as directed to scenes of general emergencies and take appropriate action to protect life and property, such as directing traffic, quarantining an area, assisting individuals in leaving an area, preventing looting, and requesting appropriate assistance.

• Assist citizens with problems such as lost children, injured persons, animal bites, civil disputes, locked doors, vehicle inspections and verifications, or abandoned vehicles.
• Refer persons to appropriate social service agencies when situations warrant.
• Maintain visibility in the community by meeting and talking with citizens, providing information, visiting local businesses, and making presentations to schools, neighborhoods, and civic organizations.

• Stop drivers of vehicles when traffic violations are observed, verify license and registration data, advise drivers of safe driving practices, and issue citations or make arrests as warranted.
• Direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic when congestion occurs or as directed.

• Write reports and complete forms as required by operating procedure and make oral reports to appropriate personnel.
• Testify in court, prepare for such testimony by reviewing reports and notes, meet with attorneys, and obtain appropriate evidence.

• Participate in training on law enforcement procedures, including firearms,…