The City of Iola is currently accepting applications for a patrol officer. This position is responsible for enforcing all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Patrol duties include traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, and emergency response. Wages are dependent on qualifications and range from $21.22 to $31.66 per hour, plus benefits.

GENERAL PURPOSE 

Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related law enforcement activities.  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED  

Works under the general supervision of the Lieutenant.  

SUPERVISION EXERCISED  

May serve as shift supervisor in absence of Lieutenant.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Works on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
• Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent. Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances; Patrols City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law,

control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies  and other law violations, and to otherwise serve and protect.  

• Responds to emergency radio calls and investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc. Takes appropriate law enforcement action.
• Interrogates suspects, witnesses and drivers. Preserves evidence. Arrests and issues notice to appear to violators. Investigates and renders assistance at scene of vehicular accidents. Summons ambulances and other law enforcement vehicles. Takes measurements and draws diagrams of scene.
• Conducts follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victim, witnesses and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scene of crimes for clues. Analyzes and evaluates evidence and arrests offenders. Prepares cases for giving testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
• Prepares a variety of reports and records including reports of investigation, field interrogation report, alcohol reports, influence reports, breathalyzer check list, vehicle impoundment form, traffic hazard report, etc.
• Undertakes community oriented police work, and assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, etc. Participates in investigating criminal law violations occurring within the City limits, obtaining evidences and compiling information regarding these crimes, preparing cases for filing of charges, testifying in court, and related activities.
• Conducts patrol activities including directing traffic, investigation of reported or observed violations of law, and conducting patrol activities.
• Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney and the City Administrator regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
• Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about Department activities. Other duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES 

• Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities.
• Serves as a member of various employee committees.
• Acts as a dispatcher in the absence of the dispatcher.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Entry Level -General:  

• Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment.
• Must possess a valid state driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any state. Felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years are not allowed. U.S. citizen.
• Must be able to read and write in English.
• Must be of good moral character, temperate, and industrious habits.

Education and Experience:  

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Some knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment. Some skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below.
• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors; ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to meet the special requirements listed below; ability to learn the City's geography; ability to develop minimum skills with firearms; ability to act quickly and rationally in emergency situations; ability to deal courteously but firmly with the general public.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Ability to meet department's physical standards.
• Must maintain ability to pass psychological evaluation.
• Must be willing to work shift work, weekend days and holidays.
• Must have telephone service for emergency contact.

Lateral Entry:  

• Must be able to meet all entry level requirements listed above.
• Must be able to pass medical exam and the department's physical agility test.
• Successful completion of State Basic Training Academy including state certification within one (1) year after employment.
• Must complete psychological evaluation subsequent to employment.
  

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED 

Patrol vehicle, police radio, radar gun, handgun, and other weapons as required, handcuffs, breathalyzer, first  aid equipment, and other tools and equipment as required  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to  successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable  individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the  employee is frequently required to sit, verbally communicate, and listen. The employee is occasionally required  to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb  or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; run; jump; and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or  move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision,  color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while  performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals  with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee  frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical  parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid  conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however the employee can be subject to high  noise levels at times of emergency.  

SELECTION GUIDELINES 

A City of Iola application form must be fully completed and submitted to Human Resources before consideration for  this position. Applicants are required to participate in an oral interview, reference check, past employment  verification, and rating of education and experience as part of the selection process. Applicants may be subject to  participate in job related tests, such as written assessments, physical agility tests, psychological examination, or  polygraph test. The selected applicant is required to submit to a background check, pre-employment drug screen, and  pre-employment physical examination. An appointee to this position is subject to, the satisfactory, completion of  probation period. Duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed.  Omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similarly related or a logical  assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer  and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job  change. 

To apply, a City of Iola Application is required. Applications are available at www.cityofiola.com or at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall located at 2 W. Jackson Ave. Please submit applications to hrdirector@cityofiola.com or to the City Clerk’s Office by June 10, 2025 at noon. ADA. EOE.