Deputy Sheriff

Law Enforcement Officer

The purpose of this position is to ensure the safety of Gila County citizens by enforcement of State and Local laws and ordinances in an impartial and professional manner. This position enforces State and Local laws and ordinances via responding to calls for service, investigations and patrol.

Supervisory responsibilities include regularly assigning work to other employees and supervising related activities.

Essential duties and responsibilities include patrolling assigned areas, looking for illegal, hazardous and suspicious activities and persons; providing back-up assistance, scene security and protection for regional emergency services personnel. Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; investigating criminal and civil complaints and incidents; interrogating and communicating with victims, witnesses and suspects in cases; securing and documenting crime scene and property; identifying and collecting evidence. Performing search and surveillance duties as required; performing follow-up investigations as assigned. Enforcing Local, State and Federal laws, and enforcing compliance with local regulations and ordinances, according to policies, procedures and regulations. Arresting law violators; locating, pursuing and arresting criminal suspects; transporting and processing prisoners; testifying in court; serving arrest, search and civil warrants and other court documents. Conducting traffic stops and investigating traffic accidents and criminal violations; assisting motorists, victims and witnesses and investigating incidents as required. Representing the Sheriff's Office at court hearings; preparing reports and materials requested and subpoenaed by the courts; and testifying in court cases. Assisting and interacting with other Sheriff's personnel, County departments, outside organizations and businesses, and Federal, State and Local law enforcement organizations in order to accomplish tasks. Presenting education and information through community and school awareness projects; counseling residents on law enforcement regulations, activities, programs and referral resources. May perform special assignment in areas of expertise, including school resource program, lake patrol, K-9, civil process, or special skills training; may be assigned to special enforcement, intervention and investigative teams, or to specific enforcement region. Updating and maintaining a variety of files, records, event logs, charts and other documents; maintaining appropriate records and preparing reports as required and maintaining patrol vehicles and equipment in clean and effective operating order. Performs other duties as assigned.

This position has no responsibility over any types of budget.

Provides project research on community service projects.

Responds to public inquiries, explains County procedures or processes and negotiates or persuades.

Creates or edits documents, internal memos, emails and reports.

Interacts extensively with employees, customers, the general public, vendors, regulatory bodies, and other groups and/or individuals and Institutions over the telephone, by email, and/or in person.

Always (More than 85% in a year) interacts specifically with customers.

Minimum education required is a High School Diploma or GED. Minimum years of directly related experience required is two (2) year's experience or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Professional credentials required include AZ Police Officer's Standards and Training Certification, AZ State Police Officer's Certification. Must pass semi-annual firearms course with assigned duty firearms, must maintain certification in CPR and other duty specific equipment and weapons.

Knowledge required includes familiarity with Sheriff's Office policies and procedures; current law enforcement techniques and procedures, including case laws governing arrest, probable cause, and search and seizure; criminal and traffic codes; County, State and Federal laws, regulations and ordinances; rules of evidence; criminal justice and court systems, procedures and protocols in the State of Arizona; investigative and interrogative procedures, and protocols for observation and memorization of critical details; use-of-force rules; hazardous chemicals and materials, first aid and CPR; special regional law enforcement zones; geography, roads, and landmarks of Gila County.

Skills required include active listening, analytical thinking, critical thinking, creative writing, communicating diplomatically, negotiating and problem solving. Additionally, skills in interpreting laws and regulations, making decisions, maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions and emergency situations; interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds; communicating with violators, recognizing suspicious behavior patterns, mediating difficult situations, and using effective arrest and control techniques; operating motor vehicles and special equipment during emergency, high risk situations; preparing clear, comprehensive, and accurate reports; effectively communicating in written and verbal forms.

Abilities required include fully and quickly comprehending spoken words, reading and writing minimum High School level, solving problems sensibly and swiftly, memorizing and recalling, multi-tasking. Ability to safely operate and maintain a variety of firearms, impact weapons, and chemical agents; collect data, analyze information, and make logical conclusions based on facts; secure crime scenes, and recognize evidence and causes of crime, death and accidents; operate a personal computer and specialized software applications.

Physical demands include occasionally required to physically restrain persons. Occasionally stands to present, to perform public safety duties, to attend to customers, to direct traffic and to attend to reported incidents; rarely stands to attend to watchmen duties. Routinely sits to complete report, to operate computers, to complete a program and to attend to other duties; occasionally sits to operate special equipment, to attend to reception areas and to perform watchmen duties. Regularly lifts work related materials that are under 25 lbs., and up to 75 lbs. Rarely lifts more than 75 lbs. Constantly requires dexterity for peacekeeping tools; routinely requires dexterity for keyboard operation; rarely requires dexterity for special gadgets and for special machines. Occasionally walks to and from work sites and kneels and twists to examine evidence; regularly bends to examine evidence; rarely stoops, crawls to reach and grab.

Work environment includes performing work in internal and external environments with exposure to inclement weather, and varying temperatures.

Safety risk exposure includes being subject to physical danger such as dangerous vehicles, gun shots and physical attacks; may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, drugs, infectious and communicable diseases; mechanical hazards, chemical hazards, electrical hazards, bloodborne pathogens, communicable diseases, fire hazards, explosives, respiratory hazards, extreme temperature, noise and vibration, wetness and humidity; subject to extended periods of intense concentration in review of crime scenes, investigations and preparing law enforcement reports. Occasionally, incumbents in this position may become exposed to verbal abuse by customers or citizens either in-person or through telephone. May be required to work during weekdays, weekends, holidays and on any assigned shift.

Protective gear and safety manuals include constantly following written safety procedures and manuals relevant to the division or department. May be required to wear or use safety equipment or tools at all times while on duty and required to utilize compliance devices. Occasionally incumbents in this position are required to wear hearing protection, eye protection devices and hard hats.

Consequences of error include potential errors can result in property damage, individual injury, or loss of life.

Specific employment conditions include having an unrestricted Arizona Driver's License upon appointment and must be a US citizen. Prior to employment, incumbents must successfully complete a background check as well as medical, polygraph, psychological, written and oral examinations prior to being appointed. Must pass Certification requirements by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission; may be required to obtain additional specific skills training and technical certifications.

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