Police Officer - H.E.A.T (Traffic Unit)

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The H.E.A.T. Officer is a specialized police officer assigned to the South Fulton Police Department Traffic Unit and responsible for proactive enforcement of traffic laws, with an emphasis on DUI enforcement, impaired driving investigations, aggressive driving, distracted driving, occupant protection, and traffic safety initiatives.

H.E.A.T. Officers are expected to demonstrate a high level of initiative, sound judgment, professional conduct, and knowledge of traffic enforcement laws and investigative procedures.

The position requires officers to conduct proactive traffic enforcement during periods of elevated traffic activity and impaired-driving risk. Officers will participate in targeted traffic-safety operations, checkpoints, enforcement details, educational initiatives, and other activities designed to reduce traffic-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

The primary work schedule for this assignment will generally be 6:00 PM – 4:00 AM, with occasional schedule adjustments, including 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, based upon operational needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Enforces the traffic laws of the State of Georgia and applicable local ordinances.
• Conducts proactive traffic enforcement activities within the jurisdiction of the City of South Fulton.
• Identifies and addresses violations associated with unsafe, aggressive, reckless, and distracted driving.
• Conducts traffic stops in accordance with department policy and applicable law.
• Takes appropriate enforcement action based upon the circumstances of each violation.
• Promotes voluntary compliance with traffic laws through professional and effective enforcement.
• Identifies locations and traffic behaviors presenting an increased risk to motorists, pedestrians, and other roadway users.

DUI / IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT

• Focuses on the detection, investigation, and enforcement of DUI and other impaired-driving offenses.
• Conducts DUI investigations in accordance with applicable law, department policy, and established procedures.
• Utilizes appropriate roadside investigative techniques and observations when investigating suspected impaired drivers.
• Documents DUI and impaired-driving investigations accurately and thoroughly.
• Obtains and maintains specialized training necessary to perform DUI and impaired-driving enforcement responsibilities.
• Assists with targeted impaired-driving enforcement operations.

AGGRESSIVE AND DISTRACTED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT

• Conducts proactive enforcement of aggressive and reckless driving violations.
• Enforces applicable distracted-driving laws.
• Identifies driving behaviors that create an increased risk of crashes, injury, or death.
• Participates in targeted enforcement details addressing aggressive, reckless, and distracted driving.
• Develops enforcement strategies based upon observed traffic patterns, crash trends, complaints, and other available information.

TRAFFIC SAFETY OPERATIONS

• Participates in monthly traffic-safety enforcement details.
• Participates in vehicle checkpoints and other approved traffic enforcement operations.
• Travels to other jurisdictions, when assigned, to assist with vehicle checkpoints, traffic-safety details, and educational events.
• Participates in traffic-safety education and community outreach activities.
• Assists with special traffic enforcement initiatives conducted by the department, city, county, state, or other authorized agencies.
• Provides assistance to other department units during significant traffic incidents and special events when requested.

WORK SCHEDULE AND OPERATIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Officers assigned to the H.E.A.T. Unit should expect to work primarily 6:00 PM – 4:00 AM.
• Officers may be required to work an adjusted schedule, including 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, based upon operational needs.
• Approximately 80% of assigned hours may be scheduled during nighttime hours and weekends.
• Officers must be willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, special details, and other assignments as operational needs require.
• Officers must maintain flexibility to support department traffic-safety initiatives and special enforcement operations.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Selected officers must be willing to obtain and maintain specialized training necessary to perform the responsibilities of the H.E.A.T. Unit. Training may include, but is not limited to:

• Advanced Traffic Law
• Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT)
• Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST)
• Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)
• Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)
• DUI enforcement and investigation
• Traffic crash investigation
• Aggressive/reckless driving enforcement
• Distracted driving enforcement
• Traffic safety and enforcement strategies
• Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST)

Completion of specialized training shall be based upon departmental needs, availability, assignment requirements, and applicable training standards.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of twenty-four (24) months of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer.
• Current sworn law enforcement status and eligibility for assignment within the South Fulton Police Department.
• Satisfactory work performance history.
• Recommendation from the applicant's current supervisor.
• Valid Georgia driver's license.
• Must possess a valid Georgia Peace Officer Certification that is in good standing and must remain in good standing throughout the selection and assignment process.
• Meet all applicable requirements established by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and the City of South Fulton Police Department.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants shall submit a Letter of Interest addressing the following:

• Relevant law enforcement experience.
• Previous traffic-enforcement experience, if applicable.
• DUI/impaired-driving enforcement experience, if applicable.
• Specialized traffic-related training and certifications.
• Interest in the H.E.A.T. Unit.
• Why the applicant believes they are qualified for the assignment.
• How the applicant would contribute to the mission and objectives of the H.E.A.T. Unit.

Applicants should provide copies or documentation of applicable specialized certifications when requested.

POSITION-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Maintain a high level of traffic-law knowledge.
• Conduct proactive and professional traffic enforcement.
• Maintain proficiency in DUI detection and investigation.
• Complete accurate and thorough reports.
• Demonstrate sound officer-safety practices.
• Maintain knowledge of current traffic laws and enforcement procedures.
• Participate actively in traffic-safety details.
• Maintain required specialized training.
• Demonstrate professionalism during traffic stops and public interactions.
• Work effectively during nighttime and weekend assignments.
• Maintain a proactive approach to identifying and addressing dangerous driving behaviors.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A thorough background investigation may be conducted by the City of South Fulton Police Department on applicants who pass the initial phase of the selection process. The investigation may include, but is not limited to:

• Criminal history
• Driver's history
• Employment history
• Internal disciplinary history
• Performance history
• Fingerprinting
• Polygraph examination
• Other applicable background-screening procedures

Applicants must satisfy all applicable departmental employment and assignment requirements.

PHYSICAL FITNESS / AGILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must successfully meet any applicable City of South Fulton Police Department physical fitness and agility standards established for the assignment or selection process.

• Running
• Standing and walking for extended periods
• Pursuing or apprehending suspects
• Entering and exiting police vehicles repeatedly
• Working near roadways and traffic
• Operating emergency equipment
• Performing other physically demanding police functions

GEORGIA PEACE OFFICER REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet all applicable minimum qualifications and standards required for Georgia peace officers and the City of South Fulton Police Department. These requirements include applicable standards concerning:

• United States citizenship
• High school diploma or recognized equivalent
• Criminal history
• Fingerprinting
• Good moral character
• Background investigation
• Physical, emotional, and mental fitness
• Medical examination
• Applicable Georgia POST requirements
• Required examinations and training

The City of South Fulton Police Department may establish additional qualifications, selection standards, examinations, and assignment requirements consistent with applicable law and departmental policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Georgia traffic laws and applicable local ordinances.
• DUI and impaired-driving enforcement principles.
• Traffic-stop procedures.
• Aggressive and reckless driving laws.
• Distracted-driving laws.
• Occupant-protection requirements.
• Basic crash investigation principles.
• Traffic enforcement strategies.
• Officer-safety principles.
• Department policies and procedures.

Ability to:

• Conduct professional and effective traffic stops.
• Recognize indicators of impaired driving.
• Conduct DUI investigations consistent with training and department policy.
• Identify aggressive, reckless, and distracted driving behaviors.
• Communicate effectively with motorists, witnesses, victims, suspects, and other officers.
• Prepare accurate and comprehensive reports.
• Exercise sound judgment under stressful conditions.
• Work independently with minimal direct supervision.
• Operate police vehicles and emergency equipment safely.
• Work effectively during nighttime hours, weekends, holidays, and special enforcement operations.
• Maintain professionalism during high-contact enforcement activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The H.E.A.T. Officer routinely works in an outdoor law-enforcement environment and may be exposed to heavy traffic, inclement weather, rain and humidity, extreme heat and cold, vehicle exhaust, noise, roadway hazards, traffic crashes, hazardous materials, criminal suspects, and potentially dangerous driving conditions.

The officer may be required to work in close proximity to moving vehicles and other roadway hazards.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The position requires the ability to perform the physical functions normally associated with sworn law enforcement duties. Tasks may require:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Running.
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling.
• Entering and exiting police vehicles.
• Pursuing and apprehending individuals.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling equipment and objects.
• Using hands and arms to operate police equipment.
• Responding quickly to changing situations.
• Performing duties in adverse weather and environmental conditions.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The City of South Fulton is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a commitment to fair and equitable employment practices. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.