PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Police Officer with the Department of Police performs general police work duties as authorized by law to protect life and property; prevents violations of statutes and laws; investigates and suppresses disturbances; investigates complaints; makes arrests and issues summonses when appropriate; does related work as required. The description is illustrative only and is not intended to represent the actual job description of the position or to imply that all duties and required knowledge, skills, and abilities are listed.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Police Officer with the Department of Police performs the following duties: patrol, investigation, police duties, maintenance activities, and special assignments.

• Enforces State law and City code violations.
• Patrols an assigned area during a specified period in a police car or on foot.
• Investigates suspicious conditions and complaints and arrests persons who violate laws and ordinances.
• Inspects and safeguards property, responds to alarms, chases violators on foot, and checks buildings.
• Accompanies prisoners to headquarters, jail, or court and appears in court as arresting officer.
• Directs traffic, assists stranded motorists, handles accidents and crime scenes, and enforces traffic laws.
• Maintains order in crowd situations and participates in community public relations programs.
• Looks for stolen cars and wanted or missing persons.
• Conducts criminal investigations and interviews and interrogates concerned parties.
• Provides the public with advice on laws, ordinances, and general information.

The duties of a Police Officer may become unpredictably hazardous and require acute use of the senses to discern various stimuli of danger. Officers must run distances, traverse rough terrain quickly, climb obstacles, and remove injured or unconscious persons from harm's way. Engage in physical confrontations using offensive and defensive tactics to subdue assaultive persons and to effect a forceful arrest. Performs all related work as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of appointment and must begin the police academy on a date no later than the thirty-seventh (37) birthday.
• Completion of high school or GED equivalency is required.
• Possession of a valid driver's license upon hire with a good driving record. Out-of-state applicants must obtain a State of Delaware driver’s license within two (2) months of becoming a state resident.
• Applicant must pass a battery of tests and interviews including: physical ability test, standardized written test, panel interview, chief interview, medical and psychological evaluations, polygraph examination, and drug screening.
• This position requires shiftwork.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Possess good judgment, observation, and memory.
• Knowledge of first-aid methods and skill in the use of firearms.
• Demonstrated proficiency to safely operate a vehicle in emergency conditions.
• Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
• Must have excellent moral character and physical ability.

WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work frequently occurs outdoors and may involve exposure to: moving mechanical parts, high places, explosives, wet/humid conditions, fumes, toxic chemicals, extreme heat or cold, and vibration.
• The noise level is usually moderate.

COMPENSATION

The Police Officer is hired at the starting salary of $67,600 and is guaranteed an increase annually for the first five years, resulting in $91,447.18 starting year five.

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Apply online at: https://www.joindelaware.com/departments/wilmingtonpd

Applications are also available at:
Department of Human Resources
City/County Building
800 N. French St, 4th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801

Equal Opportunity Employer.

THE CITY OF WILMINGTON COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The City of Wilmington is committed to providing a robust healthcare portfolio to meet the needs of our employees and their families and is pleased to offer coverage on your first day of employment. Helping you understand the benefits we offer is important to us. Please refer to our Employee Benefits website to view all healthcare plans, vendor information, resources, and benefit rates.

Medical Insurance: Highmark BCBS of Delaware. City of Wilmington offers 2 medical plans, PPO II (Preferred Provider Organization) and an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization).

Dental Insurance: MetLife. City of Wilmington offers three dental plans, Dental Plan 1, 2, and 3.

Vision Plan: Unum (Powered by EyeMed). City of Wilmington offers two vision plans, Basic Vision coverage which is available if you enroll in medical insurance. Basic Vision Coverage which is no cost, and the Buy-Up Vision coverage is available at an additional cost.

Additional Benefits: The City of Wilmington also offers other valuable benefits such as Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability. Employer Provided HRA’s, Flexible Spending Accounts (medical reimbursement and dependent care), additional whole and term life insurances, short term disability and critical care insurance are also available at an additional cost to the employee.

Opt-Out Cash Back Incentive Program: Employees who choose to enroll in medical or dental coverage other than the City’s and can provide proof of this medical coverage may be eligible to receive additional income.

Wellness: We enjoy staying healthy together! Therefore, we have an engaging calendar of wellness events throughout the year for employees, retirees and their families. To learn more, check out our Employee Perks page.

Sick Leave: Accumulates at the rate of one day for each completed month of service, beginning after the first full month of employment.

Vacation: At least eight (8) hours* of vacation per month after the completion of the first six (6) months* of continuous employment until the next January 1. Each January 1 thereafter, employee will be credited with at least ninety-six (96) hours* of vacation for the calendar year, until the completion of five (5) years of continuous service.

Holiday: Eligible employees receive holiday pay from date of hire, View City Holidays

Life Insurance: The City agrees to provide term life insurance for each eligible employee for a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) at no cost.

Pension: Eligible employees are able to participate in the State Pension Plan you will contribute 6% of your bi-weekly base pay.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional employee contributory plan available.

Live Near Your Work Program: Homebuyer Assistance program to provide up to $4,000 in homebuyers assistance for newly hired employees, first time homebuyers, and those employees choosing to purchase a residence in one of the City’s unique and culture-blended neighborhoods.

Tuition Reimbursement: The City encourages employee self-development and continuing education and provides a reimbursement program for eligible employees annually for qualified college or certification courses taken that year.

Teleworking/Remote Work*: Eligible employees qualify for a hybrid schedule upon approval through the city’s teleworking policy. The City is committed to increasing employee productivity and improving talent recruitment by providing employees with work alternatives that enable eligible employees to meet their work and family needs.

PSLF Program Eligible Employer: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please click PSLF Loan Forgiveness.

*Benefits for employees under collective bargaining agreements or appointed positions may vary.