JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
INTERNAL
Job Title: Sergeant
Department: Police
Announcement Date: September 5, 2025
Closing Date: September 19, 2025
Announcement Type: Internal
Announcement Number: 25-16
Hours: Monday – 12 hour shifts, Rotates Day/Nights
Hours: Days/Night
FLSA Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Nature of Work
This is a first –line supervisory, administrative and technical position that requires extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police science, administration, leadership, and crime investigation that are essential to the operation of the City of Guntersville Police Department.
Work involves field supervision of a patrol shift. The Patrol Sergeant works in conjunction with subordinates through assuming a shared workload: Therefore, a Patrol Sergeant’s time is primarily spent in the field alongside his or her subordinates. The position supervises other officers and assist the Lieutenant in overseeing the functions of shifts daily actives. The Patrol Sergeant will approve reports, leave, and payroll and overtime in the Lieutenant’s absents. The position still conducts investigations, regular patrol, traffic stops, responds to calls, assists the Patrol Division and performs other related police work. Included in the work is records management, community information services, field operations, training, special programs and criminal patrol investigations. Additionally the position coordinates assigned activities with other city departments and outside agencies.
Under direct supervision of the Lieutenant over Patrol Operations and general supervision of Chief of Police/Deputy Chief of Police, this position exercises considerable independent judgement in planning and implementing patrol duties and related services and activities for the shift assigned.
Essential Functions
(Essential functions listed for this position may vary depending upon assignment within the department.)
- Makes recommendations for departmental polices and regulations plus the department’s work plan, particularly as it relates to patrol, in consultation with the Captain of Patrol Operations, Deputy Chief, the Chief of Police, and with the assistance of subordinate officers.
- Trains, motivates, and evaluates division/department personnel to include provision and coordination of staff training and working with personnel to correct deficiencies, implementing discipline, and termination procedures; assist with selection of new officers; provides leadership and support to subordinates.
- Maintains a comprehensive current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws / regulations including field and code manuals in various police fields through reading, training, coursework etc…
- Supervises personnel in all aspects of criminal investigation to include continual monitoring of ongoing criminal investigations involving persons, property, narcotics and other illegal activities.
- Supervises assigned staff, which could include, shift Patrol, School Resource Officers, and Communications Officers; ensures subordinate staff fulfill their duties.
- Monitors and evaluates on a continuous basis, the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures to include assessing workload, administrative and support systems, internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and directs implementation of changes.
- Commands police force during emergencies in absence of the Chief of Police or other ranking officers as needed.
- Controls / supervises the maintenance, repairs and upkeep of patrol related equipment, property to include upgrades of equipment and other related apparatus. Supervises the surplus of patrol property as needed.
- Oversees reports and summaries of activities, and completes necessary and required forms and reports.
- Oversees or makes arrests and process subjects to include preparing cases for grand jury or court trial as needed in addition to preparing for and testifying in court as necessary.
- Overseeing of a shift in regard to reporting on significate events to the chain of command; communicates critical information to the department
- Efficiently managing calls for service in the field
- Ensuring minimum staffing of patrol shift on each shift
- Responds and supervises critical incidents or major events as needed.
- These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive duties. Other duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any given time at the discretion of the Deputy Chief/Chief. It may be done formally or informally, either verbally or in writing.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police science, administration and criminal investigation.
- Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws as they pertain to law enforcement; knowledge of department SOG’s, rules, and regulations.
- Thorough knowledge of the use of police records, especially criminal investigative records, and of their application to the solution of problems.
- Thorough knowledge of the admissibility and preservation of evidence.
- Skill in the operation of computer and applicable software applications.
- Skill in the operation of assigned police equipment.
- Skill in the proper use of firearms techniques, safety principles and practices, defense techniques, physical apprehension, criminal investigation methods, and traffic control and parking methods.
- Ability to command and asses a crime scene to gather details, evidence, witness or victim reports, and other necessary crime scene work.
- Ability to observe, analyze and record crime scene information clearly and objectively.
- Ability to monitor, evaluate, and adopt appropriate emerging technological advancements related to the investigation of crime.
- Ability to effectively lead, supervise, direct, assign, and delegate work to subordinate employees with respect while promoting and maintaining a high department morale.
- Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with supervisors, co-workers, subordinates, outside agencies, general public, and those in contact in the course of work.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
- Ability to perform duties requiring physical endurance and agility frequently under adverse and dangerous conditions; ability to perform all essential job functions.
- Ability to make quick, rational decisions or reactions while remaining calm in emergency situations; ability to adapt to and perform under consider stress when confronted with emergency situations: ability to make independent judgements.
- Ability to read, learn, and understand complex legal, law enforcement, legal codes, radio communication, and court related principles and techniques.
- Ability to direct, assign, and evaluate work of assigned staff; ability to promptly implement corrective measures when needed.
- Ability to be “on-call” after normal working hours to include weekends and holidays.
- Ability to exhibit professionalism at all times.
Minimum Qualifications
- Valid unrestricted Driver’s Licenses
- Must be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Alabama Peace Officers Standard and Training (APOST) and have basic and advanced certifications or coursework in the area of criminal investigation (Interview and interrogation, crime scene, narcotics, computers, financial, etc…)
- Three (3) years of experience and training equivalent to thorough experience in modern police work which has afforded progressively responsible experience in a variety of police functions to include crime investigation work.
- Two (2) years of experience at a supervisor level in the Guntersville Police Departmen
Desirable Qualifications
- Associates or higher-level degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Police Science, or related field preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Physical demand requirements are at the levels of light work while performing administrative task and moderate work while performing field duties. Works requires employees to sit, stand, walk, run, bend, squat, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, feel, grasp, push, pull, and have manual dexterity.
This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the ADA) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be ask to perform other duties required. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions and position responsibilities. Nothing in the job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Updated: Oct. 10, 2024
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