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Salary and Benefits:

The Fort Smith Police Department offers an exceptional entry-level salary and benefits package. As a police officer’s career progresses, yearly step raises, longevity pay and opportunities for advancement come into play. Please take a moment to review the benefits outline we‘ve provided.

Educational Incentive for College Degree
-3% of Base Salary for Associates Degree
-6% of Base Salary for Bachelors Degree
-7% of Base Salary for Masters Degree

Additional Benefits
Three weeks Paid Vacation after 90 days (vacation leave during first year is for emergency leave only)
160 Hours Sick Leave per year (up to 960 hours)
13 Paid Holidays per year
Longevity Pay
Language Incentive
All Uniforms and Cleaning provided
Leather Goods and Equipment Furnished
Tuition Assistance for Continuing Education
Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Package
Employee’s Federal Credit Union
Police and Fire Pension Plan (LOPFI)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Include the following listed below. Other duties may be assigned. Note: All City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Must show cooperation and respect to fellow employees and supervisors at all times.

Enforces traffic laws, directs traffic, investigates traffic accidents, assists stranded motorists, and renders aid to injured motorists

Patrols assigned areas to detect possible criminal activity or other conditions that may endanger public safety

Responds to calls regarding domestic violence and makes arrests as necessary and appropriate

Prepares and submits detailed written reports pertaining to crimes that have been reported or investigated during the tour of duty

Responds to active burglar alarms, hold up alarms and other situations regarding possible crimes in progress

Respond to calls for service

Investigate criminal activity

Serves arrest and bench warrants as necessary

Makes arrests and transports prisoners to the detention center

Testifies in court regarding traffic citations and criminal arrests

Investigates reports of suspicious vehicles and/or suspicious persons

Provides authorized information to attorneys, news media and other interested parties

Render assistance to citizens

Performs other related duties as directed

Regular attendance and timeliness is required

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Education and/or Experience

High School diploma or GED is required. Certification as a law enforcement officer by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training is required. 

Other Skills and Abilities

The Patrol Officer is a certified, sworn law enforcement officer and must be able to perform all of the duties and functions as defined in the job description for a law enforcement officer for the City of Fort Smith. He/She must have excellent communications skills in both oral and written forms. Organizational skills and close attention to details are required to successfully perform this job. The Patrol Officer must have thorough operational knowledge of the use of a personal computer system, as well as various software packages. A Patrol Officer must have a good understanding of the constitutional rights of all citizens and the limitations those rights place on police activities. This position requires a thorough understanding of federal, state and local laws, and the ability to enforce those laws without violating citizens’ constitutional rights. A Patrol Officer must keep himself abreast of ever-changing legislation and Supreme Court rulings and how those changes impact his job. The incumbent must be able to apply the law to everyday scenarios and police-citizen encounters. The incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of state laws and local ordinances as well as a complete working knowledge of the Rules and Regulations and policies and procedures of the Fort Smith Police Department. The Patrol Officer needs to be familiar with the operations of the Fort Smith Municipal Court and the Sebastian County Detention Center. 

Additionally, a Patrol Officer must be proficient in the use of firearms, as well as less-lethal and non-lethal weapons. He must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle in a variety of adverse conditions and maintain qualification with all weapons. He must be certified to use a Radar/Lidar and certified to operate a Breath test machine. 

The incumbent must possess a valid driver’s license. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an officer to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions provided that those accommodations comply with the City of Fort Smith's Alternate Duty Policy. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand, walk, talk, and hear. The officer may occasionally be required to run or to exert sufficient physical energy to affect an arrest of an individual who is physically resisting that arrest. 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the patrol officer encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions provided that accommodations comply with the City of Fort Smith's Alternate Duty Policy. 

The noise level in the work environment while within the police department is usually moderate. Outside the police department, the noise level can be loud.