Police Officer Candidate/Police Officer I Gaithersburg
Job description
Description PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION The Gaithersburg Police Department is a nationally accredited agency dedicated to creating a better quality of life for everyone in Gaithersburg, in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Our officers are highly trained and our progressive department is guided by the agency's values: Service, Integrity, and Respect. The department's size is just right for those who want a law enforcement career with a variety of assignments and opportunities for advancement. We pride ourselves in offering the best equipment, training, and technology to our officers. The department is looking for ambitious people seeking careers in law enforcement; and our application process for entry level police officers and lateral/certified police officers is ongoing. The process establishes a standing eligibility list for future Department vacancies; positions are filled based on operational needs. Individuals with prior experience as a police officer may be given preference. APPLICATION, RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PROCESS Complete & Submit the Online Application & Confidential Questionnaire Online applications must be fully completed and filed by the posted online closing date. Applicants MUST attach the GPD Confidential Questionnaire to the online application. If the Questionnaire is not submitted, the application will not be reviewed. The GPD Confidential Questionnaire is a comprehensive document requiring a significant amount of information. Complete this document before you begin the online application process, so you will be ready to attach your completed questionnaire to your application when you submit it. ( Please Note: The GPD Confidential Questionnaire is a separate fillable form document, not the Questions portion of the online application.) 1. Click on this link - GPD Confidential Questionnaire (PDF) - to download the Questionnaire. 2. Save the Questionnaire PDF file to a computer. 3. Open the Questionnaire with Adobe Reader. 4. Fill out the Questionnaire completely: Read all instructions carefully and complete all sections of the Questionnaire as accurately and thoroughly as possible. If a portion of the Questionnaire does not apply to you, or there is no information you can enter, mark those portions as N/A or Not Applicable or in some other similar manner. If you are unable to sign (e-sign) your Questionnaire on the pages where a digital signature is required, you may provide signatures at a later time (invited candidates only). Gather associated documentation to submit when instructed to do so (invited candidates only). 5. Save the completed Questionnaire. 6. Complete the online application, including the Questions portion. 7. Attach the saved completed Questionnaire to your online application. 8. Submit your complete online application and attached Questionnaire. Maryland certified applicants may also submit a copy of their MPCTC card (attached to the online application), but this is not required. Resumes and other materials may be submitted to supplement your application, but not in lieu of your application; do not use see resume or see attachment. The application and Questionnaire must be filled out completely; incomplete applications/Questionnaires will be rejected. Online applications and attached materials are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted. WARNING: Intentionally lying or intentionally withholding information will result in a permanent disqualification. Written Examination After completing the online application, applicants who pass the initial screening phase will be invited to attend the written examination. Applicants must receive a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam. The written exam is standardized and timed, and uses valid, non-discriminatory procedures. Applicants provide a writing sample as part of the examination. Physical Fitness Test A physical fitness test will be administered to all applicants on the same day as the written examination (an applicant must be invited to attend). The minimum acceptable scores for each component have been determined from the universally accepted Cooper Institute standards for public safety employees and the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC). These minimum acceptable passing scores fall well within averages of previous physical fitness testing conducted by the Gaithersburg Police Department. Each component will be demonstrated prior to administration. All applicants must receive a minimum passing score in each category to successfully pass this physical fitness test. 10 push-up’s in one minute; 15 sit-up’s in one minute; 18:00 minute 1.5 mile run; 80 seconds 300 meter run; Climb over a barrier; Pull/drag of a 150 lb. dummy for 15 feet; and Traverse up and down two flights of stairs. Oral Interview Applicants who pass both the written examination and physical fitness test proceed to this phase. The Interview Board will be comprised of members of the department who have been trained in this process. Applicants who pass the oral interview and are selected will be assigned to the background investigation. Background Investigation A comprehensive background investigation will be conducted on selected applicants. A background investigation is required by City of Gaithersburg ordinance and Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC) regulations, and will be conducted by sworn officers trained in investigative techniques. Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) Selected applicants will be given a truth verification exam (CVSA). The exam will be conducted by a professional who is licensed/trained to administer and interpret the results. The examination is conducted at no cost to the candidate. Post-Conditional Testing Selected applicants who have successfully completed all steps in the application process up to this point may be eligible for a conditional offer of employment. Conditional offers of employment will be made as job openings arise. The offer of employment is conditional upon successful completion of the remaining steps in the selection process. Candidates must successfully complete each required pre-placement examination or assessment before moving to the next examination or assessment. If any elements of the pre-placement process are not successfully completed, the offer of employment will be withdrawn by the City of Gaithersburg. Post-Conditional Testing consists of: Pre-Placement Emotional Stability and Psychological Examination: Will be conducted by professionals licensed/trained in this area (conducted at no cost to the candidate). Pre-Placement Medical Examination & Physical Fitness/Physical Agility Assessment: A more comprehensive fitness/agility test and stress test will be conducted by professionals licensed/trained in this area (conducted at no cost to the candidate). A vision test is included in the medical examination to ensure candidates meet the standards recommended for color vision, acuity, binocularity, stereopsis (depth perception) and other vision skills. A drug-screening test is included in the medical examination and is required by the State of Maryland. Chief's Interview Selected applicants will participate in a one-on-one interview with the Chief of Police. Formal Offer of Employment If all tests, examinations, and remaining background investigation matters are completed successfully, the City of Gaithersburg will provide selected candidates with a formal employment offer which will include the anticipated employment start date. Applicants are highly encouraged to review the Gaithersburg Police Department's Application & Selection Process and Job Requirements web pages on the City website for further information. HIRING CATEGORIES Applicants will be considered in the category for which they qualify, as outlined below: POLICE OFFICER CANDIDATE (POC): Entry level candidates who have no previous law enforcement experience; or Candidates with law enforcement experience but who are not currently certified or have not been certified within the past 3 years as a police officer through the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (MPCTC), including all non-Maryland certified Police Officers. MARYLAND CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICER (PO I): Must be currently certified as a Police Officer through the MPCTC or hold an MPCTC certification issued within the last 3 years (you must have an MPCTC number); and Must have current or previous work experience as a law enforcement officer with a Maryland law enforcement agency. A POC is a civilian position for the purpose of early-hiring (administrative, clerical work, and ride-alongs) and/or entry level training at a Maryland certified law enforcement academy only. A POC is required to satisfy all academic and physical training and testing at the law enforcement academy lasting several months. Upon successful completion of the law enforcement academy and MPCTC certification, a POC will be automatically promoted to the position of Police Officer I, and assume the job duties of a police officer. A Maryland Certified Police Officer is hired at the rank of Police Officer I; this position may not attend a law enforcement academy, but is assigned to a minimum four-week Field Training Program. The Gaithersburg Police Department does not run its own academy. Candidates hired for the POC position will be sent to a local law enforcement training academy that meets all of the requirements of the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission. The academy runs for approximately six to eight months; and continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the law enforcement training academy. Upon successful completion of the academy, the officer is assigned to the Field Training Program with experienced officers for a minimum of 14 weeks. The POC and Police Officer I positions have a 12-month general probationary period from the date of hire, and a 24-month officer probationary period from the date of hire. These two probationary periods run concurrently. Job Functions The Gaithersburg Police Department provides law enforcement-related services to more than 71,000 residents; responsibility is shared with the Montgomery County Department of Police. City officers respond to calls for service as necessary and utilize partnerships to solve problems and to deal with issues affecting the safety and quality of life in all City neighborhoods. As a Police Officer Candidate, you will: Attend and successfully complete a Maryland certified law enforcement training academy designed to provide training in police methods and procedures including but not limited to patrol functions, crime prevention, law enforcement, investigation, and identification techniques, equipment, legal obligations, police records and reports, first aid, weapons, effective and professional communication, emergency vehicle operation, and physical fitness. Receive instruction in the City of Gaithersburg Police Department's organization, chain of command, and rules, regulations, and procedures. May provide administrative or other clerical tasks in support of department functions and services when not attending academy training. Participate in in-service and special training programs as assigned. As a Police Officer I, you will: On an assigned shift, operate a patrol vehicle, bicycle, or walk to observe for violations of traffic laws, suspicious activities or persons, and disturbances of law and order. Respond to radio dispatches and answer calls and complaints; investigate crimes, traffic accidents, and domestic disputes. Issue traffic citations; serve warrants and summonses; make arrests and testify in court. Direct traffic, provide police escorts, perform residential and commercial checks. Fill out arrest records, prepare reports and records, transport prisoners. Participate in in-service and special training programs as assigned. Key responsibilities are highlighted above; please click the link to view the Police Officer Candidate or Police Officer I classification description. Qualifications Police Officer Candidate applicants must meet the following standards to be considered for employment: Must be 21 years old at time of appointment to Police Officer I to be Certified by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions. Be a United States citizen or a permanent legal resident of the United States and an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (provided that U.S. citizenship has been applied for and the application is still pending at the time of appointment as a Police Officer). Possess a valid driver's license and have a good overall driving record. Be in excellent physical and mental condition as determined by comprehensive examinations. Be able to meet the established vision standards required to successfully perform police officer tasks including passing tests for color vision (including a 14-panel Ishihara Vision Test for color blindness), acuity, binocularity, stereopsis (depth perception), and other vision skills. Have graduated from an accredited high school, or possess a high school diploma recognized by the Maryland Department of Education or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Have at least 30 college credits from an accredited college or university, or military or civilian work experience equivalent to 30 college credits as determined by the Gaithersburg Police Department (Associate's Degree or higher is preferred). Be of good moral character, with no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions for which a sentence of imprisonment for one year or more could have been imposed. Not be a current user of illegal drugs. In addition to the above-listed standards, applicants must meet the following standards to be hired at the rank of Police Officer I: Must be currently certified as a Police Officer through the MPCTC or hold an MPCTC certification issued within the last 3 years. (You must have an MPCTC number.) Be currently employed by or have previously been employed by a Maryland law enforcement agency as a law enforcement officer. PLEASE NOTE: If you applied for a police officer position within the last year and were notified that your application is still in process or were notified that you were not eligible to reapply, your application is still on file and you should not reapply during this recruitment period. New applications will not be processed; please do not reapply. Additional Information ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Salary & Benefits: Starting annual salary for a POC with no prior law enforcement experience or a Police Officer I (Maryland Certified Officer) with six (6) months or less of prior law enforcement experience is $63,390. For a POC or Police Officer I (Maryland Certified Officer) with seven (7) months or more of prior qualified law enforcement experience, the starting annual salary is $65,291 to $73,486, based on the amount of prior law enforcement experience. The top pay-out for a Police Officer III in the Department is $108,882. Direct deposit of paychecks is a condition of employment for all City of Gaithersburg employees. Excellent benefits and opportunities including: Medical, dental, vision, long-term care, long-term disability, and life insurance. Paid holiday, vacation, sick, and personal leave. Generous retirement plans (combined total annual contribution equivalent to 26% of base salary - 10% employee and 16% employer - into 401A/401K/457 Plans). Multilingual skills pay ($2,080 annually) disbursed biweekly through payroll. Take-home vehicle program (eligible upon successful completion of field training program for entry level officers and after a driving evaluation for lateral officers) (view map). Four-day workweek (10 hour shifts). Tools to assist with paying down student loan debt and managing student loans. Entry level officers are eligible for a $5,000 hiring bonus paid after satisfactory completion of the two-year police officer probation period. Maryland certified officers are eligible for a $10,000 hiring bonus paid after satisfactory completion of the two-year police probation period. See the Benefits tab for additional information. Applications will be screened for employment eligibility by the City of Gaithersburg and applicants will be informed as to whether or not they are eligible to move forward in the selection process. The City has established an alcohol-free, drug-free, and smoke-free workplace which applies to any person employed by, conducting business with, or applying for a position with the City. Each employee, as a condition of their employment, may be required to participate in pre-employment and reasonable suspicion testing. Employees classified as safety sensitive are also subject to immediate post-accident and random testing. For more information about the positions, Confidential Questionnaire, or recruitment process, please contact the City of Gaithersburg Police Department at 301.258.6400 or [email protected]. Questions regarding the online application process may be directed to the Department of Human Resources at 301.258.6327 or [email protected]. Salary $63,390.00 - $108,882.00 Annually Location Gaithersburg, MD Job Type Full-Time Job Number FY2024-00863 Department Police Division Police Department (1211) Opening Date 10/06/2023 Closing Date 12/31/2023 5:00 PM Eastern FLSA Non-Exempt
