Granite City Police Department
Job Descriptons
Below is a list of the different positions at the Granite City Police Department Role Playing Clan.
Police Dispatchers
Police Dispatchers are civilian employees of the Police Department.The dispatcher receives and prioritizes Emergency 911 and non-emergency telephone calls from the public. Processes information using a computer-aided-dispatch (CAD) system. Dispatches appropriate emergency service agencies such as police, fire and emergency medical units. Monitors public safety units in the field. Retrieves and enters computer data for emergency response personnel within the service area.
Police Patrolman
The job of a police officer is demanding and challenging, and requires more than just the ability to fire a weapon and chase down suspects. These officers patrol the streets of a city or neighborhood, responding to problems where necessary. These are often the first officers to engage the public. The job of a police patrolman varies from day to day, but they work toward the ultimate goal of enforcing laws, mitigating public disturbances, investigating possible crime, and apprehending those responsible for breaking the law. Patrol officers are expected to respond to a variety of situations that may arise while on duty. Most situations are routine, however a significant number of calls for service are high profile, critical incidents that challenge the officer to think “outside the box” and to quickly resolve rapidly evolving dynamic situations that can mean the difference between life and death. It takes a well-balanced person to effectively hold a police job.
Auxiliary Police Officer
Auxiliary Police Officers are a supplementary force to the full time officers and work under the direction of full time police officers. They carry out many of the duties of a police officer but on a part-time, volunteer basis. They wear the same uniform and perform a full range of police duties depending on the needs of the department. Auxiliary officers may work alone but will often pair with a regular police officer and provide backup. Auxiliary officers receive extensive training, including on-the-job training from a Field Training Officer. Upon successful completion of the Academy, recruits are sworn and promoted to Auxiliary Police Officer. They will perform most of the functions of a regular full-time officer which includes but is not limited to patrol, arrests, initial investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, and related enforcement activities, respond to emergency and non emergency calls, as well enforce State Law and City Ordinances.
K-9 Officer
K-9 police officers work closely with their dogs to enforce laws and apprehend criminals. With relatively few positions available in the field, an assignment to the canine unit is highly coveted amongst law enforcement professionals. A K-9 handler can use their dog to enforce public order while on patrol. A primary role for police dogs is pursuing and apprehending suspects that attempt to escape law enforcement officers. Dogs tend to be trained for one specialty skill such as identifying narcotics or smuggled goods, search and rescue operations, detecting accelerants at an arson scene, or locating human remains. The dog is a proven deterrent to criminals who might otherwise try to confront the officer. The handler must be responsible for maintaining complete control of the dog at all times, as this is a source of potential liability. The handler is responsible for the dog at all times, as the dog lives with the officer during nonworking hours. A new officer must usually acquire two to three years of patrol experience before applying for any available openings in the K-9 unit.
Detectives
The Granite City Police Department’s Detective Division is responsible for follow up on the preliminary investigations conducted by officers responding to initial calls for service. The investigators after reading reports submitted for further investigation, will work on developing investigative leads and suspects, will conduct interviews of all involved persons, make arrests, will write and serve search warrants. The investigators will also gather intelligence, perform surveillance and will also respond to the scene of a major crime for crime scene processing and evidence collection. They are also responsible for developing and maintaining case files and for documenting all pertinent information. They prepare cases for prosecution and coordinate these cases with the prosecuting attorneys. A Detective is often assigned to a specialized division and is responsible for responding to the scenes of crimes, conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations, preparing the required investigative reports, preparing a biopsy of the report, apprehending the suspect, preparing the case for a successful prosecution, and testifying in court.
Field Training Officer
A Field Training Officer, as the name implies, is an experienced or senior member of an organization who is responsible for the training of new and/or probationary level officers. FTO’s are responsible for teaching and overseeing the development of the new probationary trainee. The new officer’s performance is evaluated and rated by his trainer. If the officer graduates from the FTO program he is assigned to the patrol division. The officer is then required to complete a probationary period before being hired. Most officers start their careers on patrol and learn the essential working a patrol beat and interacting with the community before being considered for specialty assignments.
SRT (Special Response Team)
SRT team members are recruited, selected, trained, equipped, and assigned to resolve critical incidents involving a threat to public safety which would otherwise exceed the capabilities of patrol and/or investigative units. Special Operations consist of, but are not limited to hostage situation, barricade situation, sniper, high-risk apprehension, high risk warrant service, personal protection details, special assignments, and acts of terrorism. Members are tested yearly and must meet mandatory physical and tactical competency. Members of SRT have regular assignments within the department. Whenever there is a need for highly trained officers using special weapons and tactics, the SRT team members respond.
Patrol Sergeant
A Sergeant occupies the first level of supervision in the Department. His primary responsibility is to exact the proper performance of police duty from the Patrol Officers assigned to duty within the area subject to his supervision. The Sergeant is charged with ensuring compliance with the Department's rules, regulations, policies, procedures, general orders, special orders, directives and appropriate statutes and law. He handles all infractions and reports all violations to his superior. He shall thoroughly acquaint himself with the duties of Patrol Officers and shall assist and instruct the Patrol Officers under his supervision in the proper discharge of their duties. He shall be responsible for the proficiency, discipline, conduct, appearance and strict attention to duty of all Patrol Officers under his supervision. He shall have the duties and responsibilities prescribed for all Commanding Officers and such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief of Police.
Lieutenant
The Police Lieutenant rank within the Police Department is assigned as Officer-in-Charge of various law enforcement and administrative functions, are generally assigned as watch commanders. The Lieutenant assigned to patrol and detective divisions is responsible for supervising patrol sergeants, police officers and detectives who carry out day-to-day, routine crime suppression and investigative functions. In this capacity, the Lieutenant is an assistant to the Captain and acts as a Commanding Officer in the Captain’s absence. The Lieutenant keeps the Captain informed of issues of concern within his command. In addition, the Lieutenant performs administrative functions such as review of the incoming correspondence and response to Department entities, outside agencies, and citizens; supervisor’s daily activity reports; and, crime and accident reports. The Lieutenant ensures appropriate and timely training of the subordinates; the inspection of personnel, equipment and facilities to ensure compliance with the Department’s policies and procedures; conducts interviews of sworn and civilian personnel; attends community meetings to promote Department’s goals and missions and community safety programs; teaches classes at the Police Academy; and performs other related duties.
Police Captain
The Police Captain is assigned within the Police Department to geographic Areas, detective divisions, and specialized divisions. As a Commanding Officer of a patrol or detective division, the Captain is responsible for the following duties: inspecting and overseeing the functions of the patrol officers and detectives to ensure compliance with the Department policies, procedures, regulations and standards; supervising the administrative and support functions of non-sworn personnel; inspecting personnel, facilities, and tactics for safety and/or training needs; maintaining liaison with numerous municipal, government, civic organizations, and private citizens to establish and maintain rapport to facilitate Department’s functions and to promote neighborhood safety and community policing programs. In addition, a Captain performs administrative duties such as reviewing correspondence, budget requests, and activity reports; interviewing and hiring sworn and civilian personnel for their division; acting as a Chief’s Duty Officer (off-hours); teaching classes at the Police Academy; and assuming the responsibilities of a Police Commander in his/her absence.
Assistant Chief
The Assistant Chief is the second highest rank in the Police Department and reports directly to the Chief of Police. The Assistant Chief can be promoted from the rank of Captain or Commander. The Assistant Chief is assigned as the commanding officer of major organizational components such as Geographic Operations Bureaus, Detective Bureaus, Human Resources Bureau, Internal Affairs Group, or as the Chief of Staff. In addition to carrying out specific bureau duties, the Assistant Chief may assume the duties of the Chief of Police in his absence and perform related functions in that capacity. Specifically, the Assistant Chief oversees and directs the activities of patrol officers assigned within his/her Bureau; the detectives who investigate crimes committed citywide such as, homicide, robbery, auto theft, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The Assistant Chief represents the Department at community and business meetings to promote the Department’s missions and goals in order to foster mutual trust between the community and the Department. In addition, the Assistant Chief acts as a Chief of Staff to the Office of the Chief of Police and keeps the Police Chief informed of all operational activities on a day-to-day basis.
Chief of Police
The Chief of Police (COP) is the highest-ranking officer in the Police Department and the final departmental authority in all matters of policy, operations, and discipline. He exercises all lawful powers of his office and issues such lawful orders as are necessary to assure the effective performance of the Department. Through the Chief of Police, the department is responsible for the enforcement of all laws coming within its legal jurisdiction. The Chief of Police is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, controlling and staffing all activities of the Department, for its continued and efficient operation, for the enforcement of rules and regulations within the Department, for the completion and forwarding of such reports as may be required by competent authority, and for the Department's relations with local citizens, the local government and other related agencies. He shall have general charge of the station house and all property of the Police Department.
Police Commissioner
The Board of Police Commissioners is comprised of five civilians who donate their time to the City while maintaining their professional careers. They are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The Commissioners serve a maximum of two five-year terms. The Commissioners routinely spend 25-50 hours per week on Commission business, and serve as the citizens’ voice in police affairs and as a means of ensuring more responsive and effective City government. The Commissioners’ concerns are reflective of the community-at-large, and their priorities include implementing recommended reforms, improving service to the public by the Department, reducing crime and the fear of crime, and initiating, implementing and supporting community policing programs.