the job
If you feel you would like to be a vital part of the Hampton Police Division and make a difference to your community, please take a minute to become familiar with the job of Hampton Police Officer.
We feel it is important to present you with a realistic description of the job and its duties so you can decide for yourself if the position is truly one you may have an interest in and the ability to do well.
Please read this before starting the selection process for Police Officer.
As a Police Officer with the City of Hampton, you will be required to perform a large variety of tasks that require "learned skills."
You will be taught many of these skills in the Academy while other skills you will bring with you to the position.
What follows is a realistic overview of the types of tasks required of all Hampton Police Officers. They are intended to give you a better understanding of the job and allow you to determine your willingness and ability to perform the job on a daily basis.
This list is not intended to cover every task required of a Police Officer.
Documentation
Police Officers are required to fill out many different forms, logs and reports . Officers must be able to write legibly, have a good working knowledge of English grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, and spelling. Police Officers must be concise, descriptive and thorough in all written documents.
Communication
Police Officers will need to be able to testify accurately and credibly in court regarding arrests, reports prepared, evidence taken, and statements made by victims.
Police Officers find themselves constantly communicating with members of the community. By doing so, they are better able to understand the needs and problems of a particular area; therefore Police Officers must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They must interview and obtain information from victims and witnesses of crimes in a manner appropriate to the situation and culture of the people involved.
Police Officers may also need to meet with and make presentations to groups of residents and/or business people from various neighborhoods regarding local crime, traffic and other related issues.
Police Officers may be required to perform administrative duties at the Hampton Police Division. These duties may involve:
- Answering the phone
- Taking reports
- Explaining the law and HPD policies
- Listening and responding to complaints about police service
- Handling complaints from citizens who walk into the building
Police Officers deal will all segments of society. They must always behave professionally especially in the face of provocation.
Commitment
Police Officers must evaluate situations, determine whether or not a crime has taken place, and make a decision as to what action is appropriate.
Police Officers must pay close attention to details. They must be able to visualize and recall an event after the fact in order to construct documentation of the event, possibly for future court testimony.
Police Officers must be able to accurately initiate and respond to communication over a Mobile Digital Computer (MDC).
Police Officers must use problem solving and reasoning skills to initiate innovative solutions for difficult and unique problems.
Mediation
Police Officers must be able to handle citizen conflicts calmly and professionally.
Police Officers must exhibit leadership by taking control of situations, inspiring confidence, delegating tasks, and providing a positive example for others.
Physical
Police Officers may be involved in numerous physically challenging activities which may include:
- Pursuit of suspects in a police vehicle or on foot
- Bicycle or foot patrol
- Controlling crowds
- Physically searching suspects
- Physically subduing and detaining combative suspects
- Serving arrest or search warrants
Police Officers must be able to use firearms in a proficient manner. After Academy Training, Officers are required to prove their continued proficiency with firearms by qualifying at the Range periodically. Handgrip strength is critical to successful use of firearms.
Personal Considerations
Police Officers must be able to work under a great deal of pressure. They must maintain a clear head, a positive attitude, and a solid work ethic.
Police Officers deal with a wide variety of people. Officers must remain open-minded, fair, unbiased, and sensitive.
Police Officers represent the citizens of Hampton. They are symbols of stability and trust and must always behave ethically to resolve moral conflicts appropriately, both on and off the job.
Police Officers must observe the chain of command and have a duty to follow a lawful order.
Police Offices must be prepared to use force when required in the lawful performance of their duties.
Police Officers will have occasion to respond to calls for service involving physically abused persons, abused and neglected children and deceased persons.