**REQUIRES A TCOLE PEACE OFFICER LICENSE**

**PLEASE VISIT THE BELOW LINK FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF DISQUALIFIERS** 
https://www.littleelm.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20870/LEPD-Disqualification-Document---Copy-1?bidId=


JOB SUMMARY

The Patrol Officer is responsible for a wide range of duties essential to fulfilling the mission of the Little Elm Police Department. All duties must be performed effectively, efficiently, and safely in a manner that fosters public trust and confidence. This position requires strong mental, physical, and technical skills, along with the ability to adapt to complex and changing situations. Patrol Officers must be motivated to take on new challenges, find creative solutions, and uphold the Town of Little Elm’s Core Values of Integrity, Customer Service, Efficiency, and Innovation.

This job description outlines the essential duties, responsibilities, and requirements for the position and serves as a guide for performance expectations.

Lateral Entry (Out-of-State Officers)

If you don't meet TCOLE's requirements, or the requirements listed below, you are ineligible for hire through our lateral program. Instead, you would need to obtain your TCOLE license first and then apply as a TCOLE certified applicant.

Lateral Requirements (Out of State Officers)

• The Chief of Police of his designee will make the final determination about whether an applicant meets eligibility standards and starting pay step.
• Be eligible for certification from TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) and meet the requirements for the Out-of-State Peace Officer process. Obtain verification from TCOLE to begin the out-of-state process.
• Do not start the process with TCOLE until you are ready to move to Texas. You will need to complete the hiring process, move, and complete all the required courses once employed within 6 months.
• At least three (3) years of continuous services as a paid full-time peace officer for one or more municipal, county, or state law enforcement agencies that has at least 50 sworn police officers and/or services a population of at least 25,000 people.
• At least two (2) years of continuous service as a full-time, paid peace officer with your current agency.
• At least one (1) year of patrol experience to include enforcing laws, investigating crimes, making arrests and carrying a firearm.
• In cases where there is a break in service time, only the most recent agency service time will be considered.
• Time spent in field training and police academy is not considered experience when calculating years of service for the lateral entry program.
• No pending disciplinary actions or investigations for misconduct/criminal activity.
• Out of State Lateral applicants must successfully complete each step of the hiring process in the same manner as any other applicant.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE

All patrol officers must possess, at a minimum, the following qualifications:

1. Must be a United States citizen.
2. Must be 21 years of age.
3. Must obtain an active Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Police Officer license within 6 months of employment as outlined in the Condition of employment.
4. Must have a High School Diploma or GED equivalency certificate.
5. Must be able to proficiently read and write the English language and pass a 12th‑grade reading/writing proficiency test.
6. Must have a demonstrated work history with a positive performance and attendance record.
7. Must possess and maintain a good credit history and financial record.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a drug test, driver’s license check, criminal history check, employment history verification, fingerprint check, and social security verification.
• Must pass a medical physical examination.
• Must maintain TCOLE licensing requirements and annual training standards.
• Must have no Class A misdemeanors or felony convictions.
• Must have no Class B misdemeanor convictions within the last ten (10) years.
• Must not be on probation for any offense above a Class C misdemeanor.
• Must have no family violence convictions.
• Must not be prohibited by law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
• Must not be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle within the past 24 months.
• Must not be currently under indictment for any criminal offense.
• Must have no convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude.

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES

1. Before appointment must possess an active Peace Officer License from T.C.O.L.E.
2. Must possess a current and valid driver’s license and/or be able to obtain a Texas Driver’s License prior to employment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in the English language.
• Must be able to communicate effectively via police radio, telephone, and in person, with citizens, coworkers, supervisors, and instructors, including people of diverse backgrounds without prejudice.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State, and local criminal and civil laws (Penal Code, CCP, Transportation Code, Family Code, HSC, ABC).
• Departmental policies, procedures, and organizational structure.
• Patrol procedures, investigations, and traffic enforcement techniques.
• Arrest, search and seizure, courtroom testimony, and rules of evidence.
• Safe operation of assigned vehicles, equipment, and technology.

Skilled in:

• Exercising sound judgment and discretion during stressful and rapidly evolving situations.
• Ability to multitask under stressful situations and drive a Town vehicle safely under a variety of conditions.
• Conducting proactive patrol, investigations, and responding to calls for service.
• Building positive relationships with residents, businesses, and community stakeholders.
• Identifying community problems and implementing effective resolutions.
• Preparing accurate and timely reports and documentation.
• Using technology related to communication, reporting, and evidence management.
• Clear and professional communication, both orally and in writing.
• Working effectively in teams and following supervisory directions.
• Maintaining professionalism, integrity, and accountability at all times.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Police Officers must possess the physical ability, mobility, and stamina to perform essential duties safely and effectively, often under stressful or hazardous conditions.

Physical Requirements

• Maintain minimal fitness levels to perform all essential duties and tasks.
• Possess the aerobic power to perform essential pursuit and use of force situations involving sustained effort.
• Possess anaerobic power to perform essential pursuit, extraction and use of force situations involving short intense effort.
• Possess upper body muscular endurance to perform pursuit, lifting, carrying and extraction essential functions.
• Possess the upper body absolute strength to perform essential lifting, pushing and pulling essential functions.
• May be required to successfully complete department-approved physical assessments designed to evaluate their ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Possess the ability to move quickly around objects and obstacles in pursuit situations.
• Possess the leg power to perform sprints, jumping and vaulting tasks.
• Possess the abdominal muscular endurance to perform pursuits and lifting tasks.
• Mobility to work in the field and operate a patrol vehicle.
• Frequent walking, running, bending, kneeling, climbing, and standing for extended periods
• Remain standing in a stationary position for four or more hours.
• Ability to restrain individuals, move equipment, and drag or carry people in emergencies.
• Ability to lift/carry objects up to 50 pounds.
• Dexterity to operate firearms, radios, computers, and other equipment.
• Hearing sufficiently for radio and verbal communication.
• Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes; must not be color blind.

Environmental Conditions

• Work indoors (20%), in vehicles (50–70%), and outdoors (30%).
• Exposure to extreme temperatures, weather, noise, chemical substances, and hazardous materials.
• Work in confined spaces, rough terrain, elevated areas, and near moving traffic/equipment.
• Exposure to bodily fluids, communicable diseases, dangerous animals, and hostile individuals.
• Requires shift work, holidays, weekends, and emergency call‑outs with little notice.
• Safety‑sensitive position subject to random drug testing.

Schedule and Call‑Back Expectations

• Patrol Officers are required to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays based on department needs.
• Officers may be required to work mandatory overtime or be held over at the end of a shift to maintain minimum staffing levels or respond to operational needs.
• Officers are subject to emergency call‑back with little or no notice during critical incidents, severe weather events, special operations, large‑scale emergencies, or Town‑wide activation.
• Officers may be assigned to work special events, directed patrol missions, training, or operational deployments outside their normal shift hours.
• Officers must be able to report to duty when called during emergency operations preparation, active operations, or recovery, as directed by supervisory staff or Town leadership.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

The following duties are typical of a Police Officer in the Patrol Division. This list is detailed but not exhaustive; additional tasks may be assigned as needed.

Patrol Operations

• Patrol residential, commercial, and public areas to deter crime, enhance safety, and identify hazards.
• Maintain high visibility and engage positively with residents and businesses.
• Identify nuisance areas or crime trends and take appropriate action.
• Conduct traffic stops for violations or suspicious activity.
• Work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Routinely enforce Texas state law, and Town ordinances, primarily by self-initiated activity.
• Routinely make arrests with or without warrant and in compliance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
• Chase suspects over various terrains and obstacles, and under various conditions.
• Physically restrain individuals that are under arrest that may be uncooperative or combative.
• Physically assist individuals in walking and entering and exiting a police vehicle.

Vehicle Operations

• Operate a department vehicle in a safe manner under a variety of weather and lighting conditions in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Must ensure the department vehicle is properly maintained, fueled and cleaned.

Response to Calls for Service

• Respond to emergency and non‑emergency calls involving crimes, disturbances, accidents, residential and business alarms, panic alarms, medical emergencies, welfare checks, and public assistance.
• Evaluate situations quickly and apply appropriate enforcement, investigative, or service‑oriented responses.
• Coordinate with fire, medics, public works, and other non‑police resources.
• Mediate disputes and resolve community concerns when possible.

Criminal & Non‑Criminal Investigations

• Interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; prepare written or recorded statements.
• Conduct lawful searches of persons, vehicles, and premises.
• Execute search warrants and document seized evidence.
• Identify, preserve, and process evidence at crime and accident scenes.
• Determine probable cause, make arrests, and prepare case files.
• Conduct follow‑up investigations when assigned.

Traffic Enforcement & Accident Response

• Enforce state/local traffic laws, including proactive DWI enforcement.
• Investigate vehicle crashes and prepare reports.
• Direct traffic during accidents, outages, and community events.
• Operate traffic enforcement equipment such as RADAR/LIDAR.

Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare accurate and timely offense reports, arrest affidavits, crash reports, and supplemental documentation.
• Draft detailed narratives articulating probable cause and investigative findings.
• Maintain required administrative and training documentation.

Court Duties

• Testify in municipal, county, state, or federal court.
• Provide expert opinions or interpretations within areas of specialized training.

Custody & Prisoner Handling

• Safely arrest, search, transport, and supervise prisoners.
• Complete booking procedures and ensure the safety of individuals in custody.

Community Engagement

• Assist residents, visitors, businesses, and motorists with information and services.
• Participate in community events, outreach programs, and crime prevention initiatives.
• Conduct welfare checks and deliver emergency notifications.

Interagency Support

• Assist local, state, and federal agencies during joint operations or emergencies.
• Maintain strong working relationships with dispatch, fire, EMS, and municipal departments.

Emergency Response & Critical Incidents

• Respond to high‑risk situations, including armed subjects, disasters, and life‑threatening incidents.
• Establish perimeters, search for suspects, and follow ICS procedures.
• Use force consistent with law and department policy, including defensive tactics and deadly force if legally justified.
• Operate emergency vehicles in routine and emergency modes.
• Administer CPR and first aid in emergency situations.

E.O.E.  The Town of Little Elm does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or military service in employment or the provision of services.