DEPUTY SHERIFF / PATROL
DEFINITION
To perform a variety of duties in the enforcement of laws and prevention of crimes; to control traffic flow and enforce state and local traffic regulations; to perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Sheriff’s Office and Somervell County Jail
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from command staff of the Sheriff’s Office
Exercises no supervision.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES – Important responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to the following.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Patrol a designated area to preserve law and order; identify and prevent the commission of crimes and arrest offenders; check buildings for physical safety
2. Respond to general public service calls and complaints including domestic disturbances, civil complaints, property and violent crimes, automobile accidents and related misdemeanor and felony incidents.
3. Collect, process, photograph and present evidence including fingerprints, fibers, blood and related physical evidence
4. Enforce traffic laws and ordinances; check vehicle speeds with radar; issue warnings and citations
5. Direct and reroute traffic around fires, special events and other emergency or congested situations.
6. Investigate traffic accidents; conduct investigations of serious injury and fatality traffic accidents; unlock citizen’s vehicles.
7. Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
8. Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems; preserve good relationships with the general public; take an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.
9. Prepare reports on arrests made, activities performed and unusual incidents observed.
10. Serve civil citations and other legal documents to ensure expediency in the legal process.
11. Maintain custody of prisoners; transfer prisoners to jail facilities.
Other Important Duties and Responsibilities
1. May assist with criminal investigations involving crimes against persons and property.
2. Participate in training activities
3. Remove livestock from roadway
4. Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
1. Law enforcement methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques.
2. Criminal law and procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies including rules of evidence pertaining to the seizure and preservation of evidence.
3. Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory
4. Operational characteristics and use of firearms and other modern sheriff equipment
5. First aid principles, practices and techniques
6. Departmental rules and regulations, policies, procedures and directives.
Ability to:
 Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
 Use and properly care for firearms
 Understand, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
 Prepare clear, accurate and grammatically correct written reports.
 Analyze situations quickly and objectively and take necessary emergency action.
 Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
 Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following
o Standing or sitting for extended periods of time
o Operating assigned equipment
o Driving an automobile
o Subduing violent persons
o Making arrests
o Walking and running short to long distances
o Moving equipment and injured/disabled persons
 Maintain mental capacity which permits
o Exercising sound judgment and ration thinking under dangerous circumstances
o Evaluate various options and alternatives and choose an appropriate and reasonable course of action.
o Demonstrate intellectual capabilities during training, field operations and supervision and testing processes
 Effectively handle a work environment and conditions which involve:
o Traveling from site to site
o Responding to emergency situations
o Working closely with others
o Irregular working hours
o Exposure to body fluids
 Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for
o Making observations
o Reading and writing
o Operating assigned equipment
o Communicating with others
 Effectively deal with personal danger which may include exposure to:
o Armed/dangerous persons
o Communicable diseases
o Hazards of emergency driving
o Electrical hazards
o Dangerous animals
o Hazards associated with traffic control and working in or near traffic
o Natural and man-made disasters
 Identify potential crime situations or traffic hazards and take preventive action
 Meet the firs aid requirement as prescribed by the State of Texas
 Learn the operation of standard equipment and facilities required in the performance of assigned duties
 Meet the physical requirements established by the department
 Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
 Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
 Maintain physical condition to perform essential duties as specified by Deputy Sheriff certification.
Experience and Training Guidelines – Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities to qualify. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
One year of law enforcement is desirable.
Training:
Equivalent to completion of 12th grade supplemented by course work in sheriff science, criminal justice or related field.
License or Certificate:
Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Texas drivers license
Possession of a Peace Officers License

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:

Office/field emergency peace control environment; traveling from site to site; responding to emergency situations, working closely with others; irregular working hours; exposure to body fluids, may be exposed to armed, dangerous persons, communicable diseases, electrical hazards, dangerous animals, hazards associated with traffic control and working in or near traffic and natural or man-made disasters..

Physical Conditions:
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; driving an automobile; subduing violent persons; making arrests, walking and running short to long distances; moving equipment and injured/deceased persons.