Definition:
Under general supervision, receives incoming calls for emergency and non-emergency assistance and dispatches necessary units; maintains custody, control and safekeeping of all inmates detained in the City jail; and performs a variety of general support duties related to communication and records activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics
The Police Services Officer is a civilian employee of the Police Department who may wear a uniform but carries no weapon. A Police Services Officer receives customers’ requests, responds to the public’s concerns, and, if necessary, dispatches patrol units using radio digital terminal, and other methods. An employee of this class must make independent decisions which affect the safety of police officers, the public and property, such as those involved in determining the urgency of requests received, and the appropriate action to take. A Police Services Officer receives extensive Police communications and custodial facility training.

Essential Functions
The Police Services Officer requires demonstrated skills and abilities to perform the following:

Duties:

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  Receives emergency calls from the public requesting police and other emergency service; determines nature and location of emergency; prioritizes calls and dispatches police or other emergency units as necessary according to established procedures.
• Maintains contact with all units on assignment; maintains status and location of police field units.
• Coordinates emergency calls and relays information and assistance requests involving other public safety agencies.
• Enters, updates and retrieves information from computer networks relating to wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration and other information.
• Performs a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical duties related to communication and records activities; responds to requests for assistance and general questions at the counter.
• Maintains custody, control and safekeeping of prisoners including booking of arrested persons, performing searches, taking inventory of prisoner's property, fingerprinting and administering breath tests, where applicable; monitors the activities of prisoners in City detention facilities and transports prisoners; provides daily care of prisoners, including feeding and medicating.
• Maintains and enforces custodial facility regulations of the jail.
• Takes routine Police reports related to minor crimes; assists officers in program functions assigned, including Neighborhood Watch, DARE and similar activities.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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  Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics.
• Knowledge of modern office methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of use and basic care of various types of office machines and equipment.
• Knowledge of applicable California Vehicle and Penal Codes.
• Skill applying rational judgment in emergency situations.
• Skill exercising independent judgment, decisiveness and creativity.
• Skill eliciting factual information from persons in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Skill in safety tactics and subduing combative prisoners.
• Skill applying designated provisions of the California Vehicle and Penal Codes.
• Skill speaking clearly and precisely, and applying standard broadcasting techniques.
• Skill operating a variety of office machines and using a personal computers and office software.
• Skill communicating effectively with coworkers, representatives from other agencies and the public.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma and one year of public contact experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Must successfully complete POST certified dispatch training, the Core Correctional Officers Course (jail school) and CPR certification during initial six months.
• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License with a safe driving record is required and must be maintained as valid during the course of employment.

Base Salary

The table below reflects the increase in base salary for full-time unit employees.

Retention Bonuses

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  Full time employees of the Unit who have been continuously employed by the City since at least July 1, 2023 shall receive one-time bonus of $3000 in the payroll period that includes December 31, 2023.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Physical demands
Ability to maintain physical condition necessary for this position which includes: sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; walking, turning, twisting, bending, pushing, crouching, dragging, pulling, climbing; reaching above or below shoulder level to retrieve records, reports and property from files, shelves and storage areas; input data into a computer for prolonged periods of time; hear and speak to those encountered in the performance of duties on the phone or in person; read reports and other records; and read from a computer terminal. Work is performed outdoors and indoors in a controlled office environment. May be occasionally exposed to hazardous materials being stored in evidence storage areas.

Work environment
Characteristics described 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.

Employee goes from being seated in a docile position at the dispatch center or office to an energized position and then return to the docile position. The job can be very fast paced within a short period of time. While performing the duties of this job the work environment is generally in a temperature controlled office.

Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to high level noises including but not limited to emergency vehicle sirens, gun fire, shouting, and yelling.

Hearing: normal. Color vision: normal. Visual acuity: not less than 20/70 in each eye uncorrected, corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and not less than 20/30 in the lesser eye.

The City of Palos Verdes Estates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Palos Verdes Estates will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.