Police Officer

Under general supervision, enforces South Carolina laws and the Town of Summerville ordinances. Work involves patrolling assigned zone on foot, on motorcycle, or in patrol car to control traffic, prevent crime or disturbance of peace, and arrest violators. Employee works under stressful, high-risk conditions.

• Enforces all Federal and State laws and Town ordinances relating to public safety and welfare; performs all duties in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations and standards of safety.
• Responds to dispatch assigned calls for service within the corporate limits of the Town; addresses as deemed lawful and necessary.
• Patrols assigned areas to deter or reduce criminal activity; monitors traffic in the corporate limits of the Town.
• Maintains public safety by arresting law violators.
• Completes and submits incident and/or collision reports.
• Performs the booking and processing of prisoners.
• Conducts traffic stops; writes citations for violator for infractions of the law.
• Assists or backs up other officers on calls.
• Maintains issued equipment; arranges for necessary repairs.
• Prosecutes cases; prepares court packets; and testifies in court when necessary.
• Maintains certifications; remains current with updates.
• Attends scheduled training.
• Conducts preliminary investigations; processes crime scenes; and collects latent fingerprints.
• Executes search warrants.
• Maintains a cooperative/positive relationship with the community.
• Conducts field interviews
• Attends shift briefings.
• Checks electronic mail and voice messages daily.
• Submits tapes or compact disks from in-car cameras.
• Submits timesheets.
• Receives and/or reviews a variety of records and reports (such as NCIC printouts, BOLO, NCIC confirmation/checks, Department of Motor Vehicle checks, briefings, property checklist, department memorandums, department electronic mail, information form complainant/victim, information for communications, etc.).
  Prepares and/or processes a variety of documentation (such as incident reports, trespass notices, warrants, citations, affidavits, field interview card, General Session case reports, monthly reports, etc.).
• Refers to South Carolina Code of Laws, Command staff, briefings, electronic mail, incident reports, information form complainant/victim, information for communications, NCIC information, South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle information, policy and procedure manuals, codes/laws/regulations, publications and reference texts, etc.
• Operates an issued vehicle and a variety of equipment and machinery (such as weapons, firearms, two-way radio, laptop computer, camera, copy machine, radar, etc.).
• Uses a variety of tools (such as knives, handcuffs, flashlights, utility belt, ballistic vest, drug test kits, latent print kits, baton, screwdriver, standard office tools, etc.); a variety of supplies (such as writing instruments, paper, notepads, map books, citations/ warrants, department forms, fuel, videotapes, compact disks, general office supplies, etc.); and a variety of computer software (such as Microsoft Office, Omni Form, Spillman, NCIC, Live Scan, Department of Motor Vehicles, Google Earth, Adobe, etc.).
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals (such as immediate supervisor, Command staff, coworkers, other law enforcement agencies, complainant/victims, suspects, prisoners, court personnel, and the general public).
• Provides court security and transportation of prisoners; performs duty as court liaison.
• Conducts ride-along for cadets and/or civilian.
• Performs duties as Duty Officer.
• Fingerprints non-criminal civilians.
• Provides crowd control for the Azalea Festival and annual Christmas Parade.
• Answers legal questions from citizens by telephone and in person; provides direction to citizens.
• Responds to complaints on animal problems.
• Moves decoy vehicles.
• Removes debris from roadways.
• Transports mental patients to psychiatric facilities.
• Assists the Sheriff’s Office with civil process.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• May respond to dangerous situations with K-9; trains for K-9 proficiency and public relations; and provides for the care and grooming of K-9.

• Must be physically able to operate different types of equipment and machinery including office equipment, law enforcement equipment and tools, safety equipment, firearms, communications equipment, etc.
• Must be physically able to exert up to fifty pounds of force occasionally and/or frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those of sedentary work. Work involves walking, standing, running, climbing, reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and jumping for varying periods of time.
• Must be able to lift or carry up to one hundred pounds.
• Must be able to defend one’s self from assault and to restrain suspects of varying weights.

• Submit completed application with required documents
• Successfully complete required physical agility test (P.A.T.) meeting SCCJA standards
• Achieve a passing score on all sections of the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)
• Interview Board
• Background Investigation
• Psychological and Medical screening

Information on the P.A.T. can be found here: Physical Agility Test Standards

Information on the POST can be found here: National Police Officer Selection Test

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• SC Retirement System
• 401k deferred compensation
• 457 deferred compensation
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Holiday Leave (12 holidays)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Longevity Program
• Other Voluntary Insurance.

Candidate must include the following:

• Copy of High School Diploma/GED
• Copy of College Degree (if applicable)
• Copy of Birth Certificate
• Copy of South Carolina Driver’s License
• Certified Five (5) year driver’s history from SC DMV and ANY other state you have been licensed within the past five (5) years
• Copy of current credit history
• Form DD-214 (if applicable)
• Resume
• Certificates from prior law enforcement related training
• Copy of Social Security Card (will be required if employment offer is made)

The Town of Summerville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit and hire employees without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), age, political affiliation or disability, except when physical condition is a bona fide occupational qualification, and any other status protected by federal or state law.

The Summerville Police Department utilizes the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) in it’s selection process. POST is recommended by the South Carolina Chief’s of Police Association and is provided by Stanard & Associates. Study guides and practice tests can be obtained HERE.

The Summerville Police Department also utilizes the The National Dispatcher Selection Test (NDST), also from Stanard & Associates, in the selection process of dispatchers.