Police Officer

Description

Summary

• The Tribal Police Officer is responsible for protecting life, property, public safety, and the general welfare of the Tribal community by enforcing applicable Tribal laws, ordinances, and other laws within the officer's legally established jurisdiction and authority. The Tribal Police Officer performs professional law enforcement duties, including proactive patrol, crime prevention, criminal investigations, emergency response, traffic enforcement, community engagement, and preserving peace and order throughout the Tribal Reservation and other areas under authorized jurisdiction. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of Tribal sovereignty, Tribal governmental authority, jurisdictional limitations, cultural traditions, and the unique responsibilities associated with providing law enforcement services within Indian Country. Officers are expected to demonstrate integrity, sound judgment, accountability, professionalism, and respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine and directed patrols of Tribal lands, governmental facilities, residential communities, businesses, and other designated areas.
• Enforce applicable Tribal laws, ordinances, and regulations consistent with established jurisdictional authority.
• Maintain a visible law enforcement presence to deter criminal activity and promote community safety.
• Respond promptly to calls for service, complaints, disturbances, suspicious activities, and emergency situations.
• Investigate potential violations of law and take appropriate enforcement action within authorized legal authority.
• Conduct lawful pedestrian and vehicle stops, searches, detentions, and arrests when authorized.
• Identify and report public safety hazards, suspicious conditions, and potential threats to the community.
• Provide security assistance during Tribal governmental meetings, community celebrations, special events, and other authorized activities.
• Conduct building checks, property inspections, and security patrols of designated Tribal facilities.
• Follow departmental policies governing patrol operations, officer safety, emergency vehicle operations, and field activities.
• Secure and preserve crime scenes to prevent contamination or destruction of evidence.
• Identify, interview, and document statements from victims, witnesses, suspects, and involved parties.
• Collect, preserve, document, and transfer physical evidence according to established procedures.
• Prepare accurate incident reports, investigative narratives, supplemental reports, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate investigations with Tribal, Federal, State, County, and other law enforcement agencies when authorized and appropriate.
• Assist investigative personnel with follow-up investigations, evidence collection, and case preparation.
• Provide testimony in Tribal, Federal, State, or other courts when legally required.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive investigations, criminal justice information, and protected records.
• Ensure investigations and enforcement actions comply with applicable law, constitutional requirements where applicable, and Tribal legal protections.
• Respond to medical emergencies, fires, vehicle collisions, natural disasters, and other critical incidents.
• Provide first aid, CPR, and other emergency assistance consistent with training and certification.
• Establish incident perimeters and implement appropriate protective measures.
• Assist with evacuations, emergency notifications, and disaster response operations.
• Coordinate emergency activities with fire departments, emergency medical services, emergency management personnel, and neighboring agencies.
• Utilize de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques when responding to individuals experiencing behavioral or emotional crises.
• Apply appropriate incident command procedures during significant emergencies.
• Protect the safety of victims, community members, fellow officers, and emergency responders.
• Complete all required incident, arrest, citation, investigation, and activity reports accurately and within established deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records of enforcement actions, patrol activities, evidence, and assigned equipment.
• Properly operate department-approved communications systems, mobile data terminals, and records management systems.
• Attend mandatory briefings, staff meetings, training sessions, and departmental assignments.
• Follow the established chain of command.
• Immediately report significant incidents, misconduct allegations, safety hazards, and policy violations through appropriate channels.
• Maintain accountability for issued equipment, uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and other Tribal Government property.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with training and legal authority.
• Recognize and respect the sovereign authority of the Tribal Government.
• Understand the jurisdictional boundaries and legal limitations applicable to the officer's commission and assignments.
• Apply applicable Tribal laws, ordinances, and court orders within established authority.
• Understand the relevance of Federal Indian law, including applicable provisions of the Indian Civil Rights Act.
• Recognize when an incident requires notification, referral, or coordination with Federal, State, or other agencies.
• Maintain familiarity with applicable cross-deputization agreements, memoranda of understanding, and intergovernmental agreements.
• Exercise arrest, detention, search, seizure, and citation authority only as permitted by applicable law and authorized commissions.
• Respect Tribal governmental procedures and established relationships with Tribal Courts and other justice system components.

Requirements

Qualifications/Education/Experience

• Must be a minimum of 21 years old.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Previous law enforcement, military police, corrections, security, or public safety experience preferred.
• Graduation from a California POST-certified basic academy (or an equivalent out-of-state academy eligible for a POST Basic Course Waiver) is preferred.

Training and Certification

Successful applicants must complete and maintain all training, certifications, background clearances, and system-access requirements applicable to their assignment, which may include:

• Possess a valid driver's license and maintain eligibility to operate Tribal Government vehicles.
• Possess or obtain the law enforcement certification required by the employing Tribe and applicable law.
• Successfully complete required firearms qualification and proficiency assessments if the position is armed.
• Obtain and maintain CPR, First Aid, and other required emergency response certifications.
• Successfully complete required background investigations and suitability evaluations.
• Successfully complete training at a California POST or federal Indian Police Academy, and a department field training program.
• Maintain all required commissions, credentials, and continuing training qualifications.
• Department communications and on-the-job training;
• California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) training and certification;
• FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Awareness training;
• NCIC and other criminal justice information-system training as required;
• Augustine Gaming License/background requirements; and
• Other Department-required communications and emergency-management training.

Background Requirements

Candidates must successfully complete applicable pre-employment screening, which may include:

• Criminal history and background investigation.
• Employment and professional reference verification.
• Driving history review.
• Drug screening in accordance with applicable Tribal law and policy.
• Medical and physical fitness evaluations related to essential job functions.
• Psychological suitability evaluation, when required.
• Verification of eligibility to possess and carry firearms, if applicable.

Because this position will have access to sensitive law enforcement information and criminal justice information systems, employment is contingent upon successfully completing all required tribal, gaming, law enforcement, and criminal justice information-system background and security requirements. Employees must maintain eligibility for required law enforcement information-system access throughout their employment.

Note

This description incorporates the most typical duties performed. It is recognized that other duties not specifically mentioned may also be performed. The inclusion of these duties would not alter the overall evaluation of the position.

If none of the applicants should meet the stated qualifications, applicants whose education and experience are less than the stated requirements, may be interviewed and hired provided the applicant hired submits a formal written training plan within (30) thirty days which can be completed within a reasonable time agreed upon by the supervisor and the applicant. Applicants who are hired and fail to meet the agreed upon formal training program, will be discharged upon failure to complete the specified training as so scheduled.

Indian Preference Policy

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with Tribal Law. Verification must be submitted with this application, if claiming Indian Preference. Consideration will be given to non-Indian applicants in the absence of qualified Indian Preference eligible candidates.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or other non-merit factors.