Description
The essential duties of the patrol officer are divided into nine main functional areas: communication, decision-making, staff assistance, investigation/interrogation, planning and organizing, patrolling, controlling situations, equipment used, and policies and procedures.
Communication Activities
Interacts and communicates with the public, co-workers, staff, students, and other police departments.
Reports complaints, unusual and/or hazardous conditions, broken/damaged equipment and other emergency information.
Enters, transcribes, records, stores, or maintains information in either written form or by electronic/magnetic recording.
Completes daily logs/work records.
Dispatches personnel to calls for service.
May testify in court.
Decision-Making Activities.
Reviews facts, literature, law books, etc., to draw conclusions regarding if laws have been broken or to determine if an arrest is warranted.
Observes and analyzes situations to determine appropriate responses.
Uses evidence collected at accident and emergency scenes to draw valid conclusions.
Reviews policy and procedural guidelines, manuals, and department records to determine appropriateness and conformance with rules and regulations.
Makes decisions on whether to terminate a vehicle pursuit.
Staff Assistance Activities
Provides back up for other officers.
Provides general assistance to other police officers, supervisors and other agencies.
Assists new officers in adapting to the department and instructs them in policing techniques.
Assists others in specialized areas of professional police work.
Investigation and Interrogation Activities
Investigates crimes and motor vehicle accidents.
Reviews criminal and non-criminal reports.
Collects evidence at accident and crime scenes by photographing, recording information, drawing diagrams and lifting fingerprints.
Administers blood alcohol, chemical and/or urine tests.
Fingerprints people.
Seizes and/or transports vehicles, evidence and/or property.
Applies for and verifies warrants.
Follows up on pending case investigations.
May coordinate investigation process.
Interviews victims and witnesses.
Interrogates criminal suspects and prisoners.
Planning and Organizing Activities
Develops plans to accomplish work.
Organizes time to meet assignment deadlines.
Patrolling Activities
Patrols campus. Locates emergency scenes.
Cites for traffic and other law violations.
Completes accident reports.
Assists motorists with car problems.
Directs and controls traffic.
Controls parking at special events.
Cleans and fuels patrol car.
Provides security during transportation of large sums of cash and/or other valuables.
Maintains key control and/or access to secure and restricted locations.
Provides 24-hour escort service to students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university.
Controlling Situations/Activities
Protects property from unnecessary damage.
Calms distraught persons at emergency scenes.
Responds to violence and crime scenes.
Responds to disturbance calls.
Enforces laws and coverage of special events such as sporting events and concerts.
Restrains suspects and makes arrests when appropriate.
Provides medical assistance to the injured or sick.
Establishes barricades around event parameters.
Performs crown control activities.
Participates in building checks.
Equipment Use
Patrol officers may use the following machines and equipment:
Telecommunication equipment (e.g., phone, CB)
Radar gun, Handcuffs, Video/audio recording equipment (e.g., copier, facsimile, computer)
Emergency/first aid equipment (e.g., defibrillator, fire extinguisher)
Gun, Baton, Chemical substance (e.g., pepper spray)
Security checking devices, Policies and Procedures
In addition to the above activities, patrol officers are required to follow department rules and regulations. These include:
Keeping appointments with interdepartmental meetings, court dates, pre-trial conferences, and training sessions.
Maintaining standards of appearance such as uniform, well-groomed hair and hygiene and physical fitness.
Completing legal forms and documents.
Obeying state laws and department regulations under normal and emergency situations
Participating in training.
Provides security and protection services to the community by patrolling assigned areas or buildings to enforce policies and procedures, which may include security of individual building/stationary locations.
Responds to emergencies by assessing the situation, employing tact, diplomacy, and individual judgment to remedy and/or maintain control.
May require incumbent to provide on-site lead supervision over student service officers who may be present.
Deters, restrains and/or arrests individuals attempting to inflict physical harm on themselves or others or to commit criminal acts.
Completes necessary administrative form/reports related to incidents and/or arrests, to include gathering pertinent information from participants and/or witnesses and organizing it in a logical written form.
Assists security director and/or lieutenant to conduct investigations or special projects as requested.
Maintains regular communication with student service officers to obtain information about unusual and/or suspicious situations.
Appears in court regarding incidents that occur in the university community when necessary.
Provides traffic control during scheduled activities or during emergency situations as necessary
Enforces parking rules and regulations.
Provides emergency first aid and/or CPR to injured persons, or assists in the transportation of ill or injured persons when necessary.
Attends internal and/or external training courses, classes and seminars to further develop protection service skills and knowledge.
Provides basic information and directions to students, faculty, staff and/or the general public
Provides superiors with daily activity reports/summaries related to the overall training and performance of student service officers.
Maintains positive relations with external law enforcement agencies to obtain or exchange relevant protection service information.
Provides programs and presentations which promote safety and security to students, faculty and staff.
Performs other work-related duties as requested.
Requirements
Message to Applicants
You must submit an on-line application at CMU Applicant Portal | POLICE OFFICER to be considered as an applicant for this position.
Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.
This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by May 11, 2026.
Required Qualifications: Associates degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Current MCOLES certification or certifiable pending academy graduation.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Possession of the physical capabilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Ability to successfully complete training to become a certified LEIN computer system operator.
Demonstrated ability to accurately complete written reports.
Must possess maturity of judgment and ability to act with tact and restraint while utilizing. resolutions techniques.
Demonstrated positive interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and project a positive image.
Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree.
One year of increasingly responsible work experience in public safety.
Experience working in a higher education environment.
