Police Officer

Primary Purpose

• A School-Based Police Officer works with school administrators, security staff, and faculty to ensure the safety and well-being of the students at elementary, intermediate, middle, and high schools. 
• The School-Based Law Enforcement Officer is a police officer who works as the main security arm of a school.

Education / Certification

• Must be a U.S. Citizen [TCOLE Commission Rule §217.1(a)(18)]. 
• Accredited High School Diploma or equivalent (USA equivalency). 
• Must hold a valid Texas Peace Officer license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCOLE). 
• Must comply with hiring standards set forth in the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCOLE) for Peace Officer licensing to include all hiring requirements as prescribed by the District and the Police and Security Services Department. 
• Consideration will not be given to a TCOLE license or license from another state with a Dishonorable Discharge or the equivalent notation from a previous law enforcement job(s). 
• Applicants with a General Discharge from TCOLE, or the equivalent notation from a law enforcement job in another state, must provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding the discharge. 
• Consideration will be on a case-by-case basis. 
• Must meet requirements specified in TAC, Title 37, Part 7, Chapter 217, Rule 217.1 regarding criminal history. 
• Two or more years of college or advanced training preferred. 
• A valid Texas Driver’s License and a driving record that meets the District’s standard for operations of motor vehicles.

Special Knowledge / Skills

• Bondable as required by TEC §37.081(h). 
• Must be able to work independently. 
• Ability to pass required physical, psychiatric, and drug tests. 
• Demonstrate proficiency with authorized duty weapon(s). 
• The ability to qualify annually on an approved depart­ment course. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Positive attitude. 
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team of youth-serving professionals. 
• Willingness to develop partnerships with students, parents, families, community organizations, and school administrators. 
• Recognition that student success is the primary outcome sought. 
• Knowledge of school base legal issues. 
• Knowledge of school safety technology and implementation. 
• Knowledge of school and social service resources.

Experience

• Two years of successful law enforcement experience in law enforcement or a directly related field. 
• Demonstrated ability to teach and engage with youth, such as past coaching or mentoring experience.

Responsibilities

• Enforce applicable Board Policy. 
• General knowledge of criminal investigation, police report writing, and criminal law. 
• Enforce all laws, both felony and misdemeanor degree, of federal, state or local origin. 
• Training in the use of firearms, handcuffs and ability to subdue offenders.
• Investigate all criminal offenses that occur within the district's jurisdiction. 
• Write effective legal incident reports, collect and preserve evidence for criminal investigations including witness statements and physical evidence. 
• Patrol assigned campus(es) and respond to all calls from campus(es) concerning crisis situations, accidents, and reports of crime. 
• Patrol assigned campus(es), bus stops, district assets, and/or patrol routes walking or driving within districts contiguous boundaries. 
• Assist the Transportation department with problem bus stop areas and/or chronic disruptions of transportation upon request. 
• Work with campus administrators at assigned campus. 
• Assist in the protection of student, staff and District property. 
• Serve as a law enforcement resource to students and District personnel. 
• Provide a general and consistent adult and law enforcement presence at critical locations on District facilities. 
• Aptitude to work well with youth and adults. 
• Respond to civil disasters such as floods, tornadoes, fire, etc. (where District personnel are required). 
• Perform all other tasks and duties as assigned.

Environment / Working Conditions

• Tools/Equipment Used: district vehicle, firearms, handcuffs, two-way radio, alarm systems and other security equipment, fire extinguisher, AED, and standard office equipment including computer and peripherals. 
• Posture: prolonged sitting and standing. 
• Motion: strenuous walking and climbing; frequent keyboard/mouse use; prolonged driving. 
• Lifting: moderate lifting and carrying; 10-50 pounds frequently, 50-100 pounds occasionally. 
• Environment: work inside and outside with moderate exposure to the sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather. 
• Moderate exposure to noise, frequent district-wide travel. 
• Mental demands: must be able to maintain emotional control under stress. 
• Other: Specific hearing and visual requirements
• May be subject to adverse and hazardous working conditions including violent and armed confrontations
• Ability to control sudden violent or extreme physical actions of others and exhibit rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Ability to restrain resistant people and remove persons with violent behavior.

Supervisory Responsibilities