general

general SOLDOTNA POLICE DEPARTMENT 44510 Sterling Highway Soldotna, Alaska 99669

Shirley A. Gifford Tel: (907) 262-4455
Chief of Police Fax: (907) 262-4421

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS

The following information is intended to answer questions about becoming a Police Officer with the City of Soldotna. Provisions listed within this information packet are subject to change at any time, and are at the exclusive interpretation of the City of Soldotna and the Soldotna Police Department (SPD).

The Soldotna Police Department offers a professional career in law enforcement to protect and serve its community. The highest ethics, dedication, values, and integrity characterize police officers. They are a very select group of men and women with superior skills and attributes. When evaluating candidates for Police Officer, the Soldotna Police Department examines the whole person to ascertain those with the greatest potential for success.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Must be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien who has demonstrated an intent to become a citizen of the United States.
Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
Must have a minimum of two (2) years of college (48 credits).
Must have a valid operator's license.
Must be physically sound and free from physical defects which would adversely affect performance as a police officer. (To be determined at medical examination.)
Stringent requirements on past drug use - no drug use of any kind after age 25. (Other standards are applied, but are not listed.)
SPD has high standards when selecting personnel, especially when looking at the applicant's driving record and past criminal history.
All applicants must submit to a truth verification test. Any misrepresentation or discovery of falsification, omissions, or modification of material or information provided will result in immediate disqualification.

DUTIES

Police Officers are considered as being on-duty 24 hours a day and are subject to emergency call-in at any time.

Vacations and other absences are scheduled on the basis of current department needs.

RESTRICTIONS

All sworn officers must give their undivided attention to police work and cannot engage in any other business, calling or political office while serving as a sworn officer without prior approval of the Chief of Police.

A Police Officer may not utilize or otherwise consume any illegal drugs, drug substances, or drug derivatives, and must limit his/her consumption of alcoholic beverages to a socially and legally acceptable level.

SOCIAL FACTORS

A Police Officer is required to work variable shifts and usually does not have weekends off which means normal weekend activities will be restricted. Shifts are currently 10 hours long, 4 days a week. All applicants should carefully consider the effects the irregular hours of police work will have on his/her personal life.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

The first segment of the selection process is a series of tests. These tests are:

Ergometrics Front-line Video Test: The Soldotna Police Department currently uses a video based multiple choice testing format for testing applicants at the initial entrance examination. In this test applicants see a typical situation they will face on the job; observe the various elements present; analyze the situation and make a quick judgment about how to respond.

Ergometrics Incident Observation and Report Writing Test: The applicant is shown one brief job related video and asked to write an incident observation report.

The tests are scored on a pass/fail basis. The applicant must meet the minimum passing score on each individual test to be invited back for continued processing.

Formal Interview: Each applicant who passes the initial testing will have a formal interview made up of a board of police and city representatives. Not all applicants who are interviewed will be carried forward.

Background Investigations: Each applicant who is carried forward from the interview will have an extensive background investigation completed. Only the most qualified applicant will be invited back for continued testing. Not all applicants who are interviewed will be carried forward.

NOTE: The hiring process is very competitive. Each applicant will be compared to the other applicants. Only the most qualified will be carried forward to the Background Investigations.

Continued Testing: Applicants who are carried forward from the Background Investigation will be given a "Conditional Offer of Employment" and must pass or meet the Soldotna Police Department standards on the following examinations:

Voice Stress Analysis or Polygraph Examination
Medical Examination (physical, hearing test and drug screen)
Psychological Assessment
Physical Agility Test (a combination of exercises which would include a 1/4 mile run, stair climb, 150# body drag, circular step exercise and/or a 5 foot wall climb all within a timed period.)
Chief's selection.

All new hires start at the Police Officer Trainee level regardless of prior experience or schooling. There is no provision for transferability from other jurisdictions. Previous experience, however, may increase an officer's potential for advancement. Upon hire, the new employee is subject to a one year probation period which will include completion of the 9-week training academy sponsored by the Department of Public Safety, Alaska State Troopers in Sitka and a 12-week field training assignment.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Department size:            13
Sworn officers:                11
Civilian personnel:             2

Population of Soldotna: 4,000

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Police Recruit
First 6 months:                                          $17.13 per hour        $35,636.16 annually
After 6 months with acceptable evaluation    $17.68 per hour        $36,773.48 annually
After 1 year with acceptable evaluation        $18.23 per hour        $36,910.81 annually

Police Officer I
First 6 months                                            $19.02 per hour        $39,562.01 annually
After 6 months with acceptable evaluation     $19.63 per hour        $40,082.72 annually
After 1 year with acceptable evaluation          $20.23 per hour        $42,087.24 annually

An Intermediate Certificate through the Alaska Police Standards Council will qualify the officer for an additional $60.00 per month. An Advanced Certificate, $120.00 per month.

There are 10 recognized/paid holidays per year and one personal year.

The City of Soldotna has a comprehensive health coverage plan for both the employee and eligible dependents.

Regular work week: 40 hours per week, 10 hour shifts

Annual leave accrual: 10 hours per month which may be granted after the first 6 months. After the first 2 years this amount increases to 12 hours per month.

Sick leave accrual: 10 hours per month.

Home Car Program: The Soldotna Police Department provides take home vehicles to all permanent sworn officers who live within the city limits.

Overtime Pay Rate: Overtime is paid at a rate of time and a half.

Retirement: Eligible retirement after 20 years of service at 45% of annual pay.

This page was created on 11/18/97. Any questions regarding the information on this page should be directed to Chief Shirley A. Gifford .

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