Essential duties and functions may include the following:

• Patrols an assigned zone on foot, on bicycle, and by vehicle to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations.
• Enforces traffic and parking laws.
• Receives information on activity in an area and assists in plans to address problems.
• Responds to calls relayed by Communications Officers, including but not limited to domestic disputes, assaults, burglaries, traffic accidents, lost or missing persons searches, public service duties, stranded motorists, and others.
• Gathers information/probable cause to secure either arrest or search warrants as needed.
• Conducts preliminary investigations into traffic accidents and other incidents, including but not limited to interviewing victims, complainants and witnesses, gathering information and evidence, and securing crime scenes.
• Process crime scenes to recognize, collect and preserve evidence.
• Apprehends arrest, and process offenders, including fugitives; subpoenas witnesses and serves warrants.
• Provides assistance and backup support to other officers and emergency service providers as necessary.
• Assists motorists.
• Performs bailiff duties at Municipal Court.
• May provide first-aid and CPR to victims as necessary.
• Provides traffic direction as needed for special events such as parades, funerals, athletic events, and school crossings.
• Preparing for and attending court proceedings as necessary.
• Completes all required reports and forms, including accident and incident reports.
• Inspects and maintains assigned patrol car, uniform, and equipment.
• Provides relief duties for communications officers and jailers.
• May serve as Hazardous Materials Technician.
• Serves criminal and court-related paper work.
• Participating in mandatory and elective training.
• May serve as a member of the department's SORT team.
• May serve as a field-training officer for the department.
• May serve as School Resource Officer/DARE Officer; provides DARE instruction to school children.
• May serve as relief supervisor in the absence of the Sergeant.
• May be on call after hours to respond to emergency situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Applicant must be twenty-one (21) years of age on the day you take the test to become a Texas Certified Police Officer.
• High School diploma or GED.
• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the State of Texas for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Ability to meet current requirements set forth by the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education to be certified as a Peace Officer.
• No illegal drug use in the two to five years prior to the date of hire.
• No arrest record with higher than a Class C Misdemeanor.
• Meet or exceed physical agility requirements of department.
• Demonstrate proficiency with handgun during scheduled testing with the Police Department.
• All applicants under consideration for this position will be subject to an extensive background check to include a credit check.

• Familiar with Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Texas Transportation Code and Texas Family Code.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, criminal and traffic codes, juvenile law, search and seizure laws, and city ordinances.
• Knowledge of City of Big Spring Police Department rules and regulations as well as City of Big Spring ordinances.
• Knowledge of City, department and safety policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of traffic accident investigation techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of the geography and streets of the city.
• Knowledge of first-aid and CPR techniques.
• Knowledge of the judicial system and court procedures.
• Skill in operating computer and police software.
• Skill in operating police vehicles, firearms, and emergency equipment.
• Skill in operating radios and communications equipment.
• Skill in operating radar equipment.
• Skill in evidence packaging.
• Skill in restraining persons without causing physical harm.
• Skill in decision-making.
• Skill in report writing.
• Skill in controlled substance field-testing.
• Skill in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

There are a wide variety of benefits available to City of Big Spring employees. These benefits include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, optional life insurance plans, flexible spending account for health and dependent care, an Employee Assistance Program, and a Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Texas Municipal Retirement System

• Employees contribute 7% of their gross salary; the City contributes 14% for a total contribution of 21% of the employee's gross salary. Employees can retire with full retirement benefits after twenty (20) years of service or at age sixty (60) and above, with a minimum of five years service. Individual retirement benefits vary based on annual salary and tenure.
• There is a Supplemental Death Benefit, with TMRS, that is equal to one year's annual salary. TMRS is a tax-sheltered program.

457(b) Deferred Compensation(In lieu of Social Security)

• Employees pay 6.7 percent of their adjusted gross salary; the City matches 5.51% into the retirement plan and 2.19% for a life and disability insurance package for a total matched funds 7.70%. The Deferred Compensation is a tax-sheltered program.

Life Insurance & Disability Package

• The life insurance package pays the beneficiary four times the employee's annual salary with a max of $200,000.00 with additional life insurance options available.
• The disability package ensures that, in the event of a permanent disability, a maximum of 60% of the employee's monthly salary is paid, up to a maximum of $3,000.00 per month.

Longevity (Pay for years of Service)

• After one year of service, longevity pay is paid bi-weekly. After the one (1) year anniversary, employees may choose to bank longevity payments to begin in January of the following year. Employees who bank longevity payments receive a lump sum payement in November of each year.

Uniforms

• For qualified employees, three to five uniforms are furnished by the City, along with other suitable foul weather and safety gear. Police and Fire Department personnel have different uniform benefits.

Flexible Spending Plan

• The Flexible Spending Plan allows employees to tax shelter eligible medical expenses. This program provides a tax savings, increasing the employee's take home pay.

Health Insurance

• The City of Big Spring pays 100% of the cost of employee's health insurance and supplements the cost of dependent insurance. Health insurance coverage is effective on the first day of the month following the date of hire. The in-network office co-pay is $30.00.
• Pharmacy benefits are included in the health insurance package. The pharmacy plan provides benefits for retail and mail order prescriptions. Navitus network pharmacies offer a thirty (30) day generic prescription for a $0 co-pay.

Dental & Vision Insurance

• Dental & Vision insurance is available to city employees at a semi-monthly cost.

Workman's Compensation

• The city meets the standard state requirements for Workers' Compensation.

Paid Holidays

City of Big Spring employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents' Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day and the day following
• Two (2) days at Christmas.

Standby Pay

• Standby pay is paid to employees who are required to maintain contact with the City to provide essential emergency services after normal business hours. Employees are paid $75.00 per full week of standby duty.

Police Officer Vacation Accrual

• Probationary - 5 days/year

Non-Probationary

• 1-9 years - 15 days/year
• 10-14 years - 17 days/year
• 15-19 years - 18 days/year
• 20-24 years - 19 days/year
• 25 plus years - 20 days/year

Sick Time

Full-time permanent employees shall earn sick time based on the following schedule:

• 1-2 years - 5 days/year
• 3-4 years - 10 days/year
• 5-9 years - 12 days/year
• 10+ years - 15 days/year

Vacation Buy Back

• Every November, eligible employees can sell back to the City, for cash, up to sixty-eight (68) hours of their accumulated vacation leave.

Recreation Privileges

• City employees are eligible for free entry into Moss Creek Lake and discounted fees at the Comanche Trail Golf Course.

Tuition Reimbursement Program

• An employee may take college courses which are either related to their job duties or designated in their degree plan and the City will reimburse the employee for those courses according to the City's reimbursment schedule.

Employee Wellness Program

• Discounted memberships at the Big Spring YMCA.
• Co-pay reimbursment for annual wellness physicals.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tobacco Cessation Program

RELOCATION INCENTIVE PAYMENT
Certified Police Officers are eligible for a relocation incentive payment in the amount of $2,400.00, payable upon hire.

ACADEMY EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
An officer hired by the Big Spring Police Department and having personally incurred expenses for tuition and fees within the twelve (12) months preceding the date of hire to attend any training school meeting Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education requirements for a basic academy and received his or her certification as a result, will be eligible for reimbursement in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00.

TAKE HOME CAR PROGRAM
The Big Spring Police Department prides itself in having a take home car program. This program is designed for officers and citizens alike. The program allows police officers that live within Howard County to take their patrol units home at the end of their shift. Officers that live inside the city limits are allowed to drive their unit while off duty. This program enables officers to serve the public better by offering a crime deterrent by having extra officers driving the streets of Big Spring.