The City of Kalama Police Department is responsible for traffic enforcement, patrollingthe streets of Kalama, responding to emergency calls, and protecting the community. Thedepartment operates on a 2024 budget of approximately $1.2 million and includes 2Sergeant, 4 Officers, and 1 full time Police Clerk for a total of 7 FTE’s including the Chief.
The Police Department provides 24-hours coverage with officers workings 12-hour shifts. .While officers often work independently, Kalama is located in a rural county andinteragency assistance is common. Cooperation with other local police departments, thesheriff's office, and the Washington State Patrol is essential for the department to thrive.
Annually, the Kalama Police Department receives approximately 4300 calls. Departmentpersonnel began working in a $3.1 million state-of-the-art facility in May 2019.
MAJOR DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS
Patrol
Uniformed Patrol is the backbone of the agency. It is comprised of officers whoproactively work on the streets of Kalama to reduce and prevent crime. Kalama officersrespond to emergecy 911 calls, non-emergency calls for service, and general assistancecalls.
Traffic/Parking Enforcement and Education
Kalama officers focus on traffic and parking issues in our community and investigatetraffic collisions. They focus their efforts on high visibilty enforcement in school safetyzones, near pedestrian crossings, and throughout the city for speeding violations.
Investigations
Kalama does not have a designated investigator/detective. Officers investigate everycrime reported to the Kalama Police Department from start to finish. Officers recieveadvanced specialized training throughout their career to aid them in these investigationsand are supported through mutual aid by neighboring agencies and the Lower ColumbiaMajor Crimes Team in more complex investigations that exceed the department’sinvestigative capabilities.
Animal Control
Officers perform animal control duties in the City of Kalama. The department operatesshelter and adoption programs, protects and finds homes for unwanted animals, andidentifies and aids in the return of lost pets. The department enforces ordinances such asleash laws, laws governing humane treatment, and conducts cruelty Investigations.
Administration/Support Services
A civilian Police Clerk is responsible for the Records function of the department whichincludes receiving, capturing, maintaining, and properly disposing of reports andrecorded materials pertaining to interactions with law enforcement. The Clerk alsosatisifes public disclosure requests in accordance with state law. The Police Clerk also recieves and processes applications for Concealed Pistol Licenses,requests for Vacation House Checks, and performs Fingerprinting services for the public.The Clerk performs Property and Evidence duties related to the processing andmaintenance of evidence from crime scenes.
Mutual Aid Assistance
In emergency services, mutual aid is an agreement among emergency responders to lendassistance across jurisdictional boundaries. The Mutual Police Powers Act in the state ofWashington enables the Kalama Police Department and neighboring agencies to assistone another when requested. Kalama officers routinely assist Cowlitz County Sheriff’sdeputies and Woodland Police officers with calls for service, when assistance isrequested, and vice-versa.
Community Policing
Community policing is an approach that encourages organizations to use partnershipsand problem-solving methods systematically. The goal is to actively deal with theimmediate factors that contribute to public safety concerns, like crime, social disorder,and the fear of crime. The Kalama Police Department’s approaches every one of its majordepartment functions through a Community Policing philosophy.
City of Kalama, Washington Job Description
Job Title: Police Officer Department: Police Department FLSA Status: 207(k) Exempt
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General Statement of Job
Under occasional supervision, performs responsible law enforcement functions as assigned, including enforcing federal and state laws and local ordinances. Exercises independent judgment and is totally accountable for executing all duties ethically and within the confines of the law and the established policies of the Kalama Police Department. Participates in special activities or programs as assigned. Reports to assigned Sergeant. May serve as Acting Sergeant in the Sergeant’s absence.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
· Responds to emergency or high-risk situations; participates in criminal and other investigations.
· Performs general law enforcement duties, including patrolling assigned areas, checking property for security, maintaining order and public safety, responding to traffic accidents/incidents and issuing citations, apprehending and arresting suspects, questioning suspects, assisting crime and accident victims, investigating alarms, collecting evidence, taking statements, etc.
· Participates in special unit activities and/or programs as assigned, which may include performing duties as a school resource officer, community police officer, DARE officer and/or tactical officer.
· Serves warrants, summonses, subpoenas and other official papers.
· Books and processes prisoners.
· Prepares cases for prosecution; provides court testimony as required.
· Performs various public service duties, including directing traffic at school crossings and during special events, providing police escort, assisting stranded motorists, providing security at City events, providing traffic control, etc.
· Reports all conditions which may affect community safety, including lighting changes, pedestrian and traffic obstacles, hazardous conditions, traffic lights, etc.
· Promotes crime prevention and safety theories and practices that can be implemented in communities to deter criminal activity. Plans and/or participates in safety / educational programs and presentations at local businesses, schools and community events.
· Receives and responds to citizen inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance; refers public to persons or agencies which can provide further assistance as required.
· Works under stressful, high-risk conditions.
· Remains abreast of all federal and state laws, and municipal codes of the City of Kalama.
· Maintains assigned equipment and vehicle.
· Maintains required level of proficiency in the use of firearms; maintains physical fitness in accordance with department standards.
· Participates in field training.
· Attends various meetings as required.
· Promotes a favorable image of the City and Police Department by acting in a responsive and professional manner with members of the media, citizens and outside agencies as applicable.
· Receives, reviews, prepares and/or submits various records and reports including routine reports, incident reports, accident reports, citations, arrest warrants, search warrants, subpoenas, affidavits, memos, correspondence, etc.
· Operates a police vehicle, firearms, restraining devices, two-way radio, radar, protective gear, and other police-issued equipment, as well as a variety of other equipment including a computer, telephone, calculator, camera, tape recorder, etc. Exercises care and safety in the use of equipment required to complete assigned tasks.
· Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, co-workers, City personnel, court personnel, attorneys, other law enforcement agencies, various government agencies, community leaders and organizations, medical personnel, suspects, victims, witnesses, and the general public.
Additional Job Functions:
· Processes crime scenes.
· Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Education and Training
An A.A. or A.S. degree in criminal justice is preferred, supplemented by completion of required law enforcement instruction and training, or any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must maintain firearms proficiency, be physically qualified and maintain physical fitness in accordance with department standards. Must possess and maintain state certification in law enforcement. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Washington Driver’s License as required.
Minimum Qualifications or Standards Required
To Perform Essential Job Functions
Schedule: Position may require working a rotating schedule.
Physical Requirements:Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including firearms, automobile, office equipment, radio, telephone, etc. Must be able to exert up to thirty pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift, carry, push, pull, climb, balance, walk, run. Must be physically fit and able to defend one's self from attack or physical assault. Must be able to restrain, lift and/or carry adults of varying weights.
Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or directions from supervisors.
Language Ability: Requires ability to read a variety of law books, ordinances, maps, policy and procedure manuals, warrants, criminal records, computer manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, records, tickets, etc. with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow verbal and written instructions; to teach employees. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational and cultural backgrounds, and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including law enforcement, investigations, etc.
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of fractions, percentages, ratio and proportion.
Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape;
identify degrees of similarity or difference in shades, forms, etc.; and visually read various information.
Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery, firearms and other special equipment; to operate motor vehicles.
Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, firearms, etc. Must have significant levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency, unusual or dangerous situations, or in situations in which working speed and sustained attention are make or break aspects of the job. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a significant degree, or to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.
Physical Communications: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job: Has knowledge of the methods, organization, planning, management and supervision of a city law enforcement agency as reflected in the needs and requirements of the City. Is able to work under stressful or dangerous conditions, often involving considerable personal risk or risk to others. Has knowledge of the structure, functions and inter-relationships of state and local law enforcement agencies. Has considerable knowledge of up-to-date methods of law enforcement procedures. Has considerable knowledge of firearms, automotive, radio and other law enforcement equipment. Is skilled in the use and care of firearms. Has considerable knowledge of legal rights of accused persons and law enforcement. Has considerable knowledge of criminal behavior and methods of operation. Has considerable knowledge of civil process. Is able to analyze problems that arise on the job and recommend solutions. Is able to assemble and analyze information and make written and oral reports concisely, clearly and effectively. Is able to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and related information. Is able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of public and private groups and is persuasive in such communication. Has sufficient knowledge of other City departments to communicate with their representatives as necessary in carrying out duties and responsibilities. Has the ability to deal courteously, yet firmly and effectively with the public in police situations. Has knowledge of the layout of local roads and of the locations and characteristics of the various neighborhoods. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations accurately and quickly. Is able to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations. Is able to perform duties under adverse environmental conditions such as excessive heat, cold, odors, smoke, fumes / toxic agents, wetness, noise, humidity, explosives, disease, violence.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with internal and external entities with whom the position interacts.
Quantity of Work: Performs described Essential Functions and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce quantity of work which consistently meets established standards and expectations.
Dependability: Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Maintains accountability for assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.
Attendance: Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and leave requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be accomplished and initiates proper and acceptable action for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.
Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies issues or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to issues or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches issues, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.
Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with established policies or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation intra- and inter-departmentally.
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and co-workers for mutual benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships inter- and intra-departmentally, and with external entities with whom the position interacts. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints in order to establish and maintain good will. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image.
Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of work elements and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.
Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all established safety and housekeeping standards. Ensures such standards are not violated.
