The patrol officer job classification is a position that is appointed by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the Village of Mount Prospect heretofore created and now acting pursuant to the Illinois Municipal Code, Chapter 24, Section 10-21-1 and the Village Municipal Code, Chapter 5, Sections 5701 to 5706. The patrol officer is primarily assigned to the uniformed patrol section, but may also be assigned to other components within the department. The patrol officer is primarily under the immediate supervision of the shift supervisor and is responsible for enforcing laws, keeping the peace and protecting the rights of citizens. He must take police action when required, but always within the authority of his position.
The investigator job specialty is created to provide specialized functions outside the realm of immediate police responses to routine calls for service. These specialized functions are such that they require special skills and more available time and resources to provide vigorous, intelligent and thorough follow-up investigations of criminal offenses and other police related matters. An investigator is a patrol officer assigned to the Investigative Section and under the direct supervision of the Investigative Section Commander. The investigator is primarily responsible for the proper investigation of cases assigned to him, including the apprehension of the offender(s) and preparation of cases for prosecution. In addition to the cases assigned to him, he will also aid all other members of the department in the detection and prevention of crime and the investigation of criminals or criminal actions, requiring prolonged investigation, which by the nature of their duties other officers are unable to perform.
The youth investigator is a job specialty created to provide in the handling of youth related problems that come to the attention of the department. The youth investigator position is primarily a plainclothes assignment and is under the direction of the Investigative Section Commander. The youth investigator will maintain a good working relationship with the other components of the department by providing assistance and information in all youth related matters.
The field youth officer (FYO) job specialty is created to provide expertise at the line level in dealing with juvenile related problems. Field youth officers assist in the preliminary investigation of all field contacts and investigations involving youths, youthful offenders, or youthful victims. Field youth officers function under the immediate supervision of the shift supervisor, but age supervised also by the FYO program supervisor.
The evidence technician job specialty is created to provide expertise at the line level in the identification, collection and packaging of evidence. Evidence Technicians also may perform other functions consistent with their specialty training and expertise. Evidence technicians are under direct supervision of the duty supervisor, and also under the authority of the Evidence Technician Program Supervisor.
The range officer job specialty is created to provide specialized training in the safe and proficient use of authorized weapons. Generally, range officers conduct weapons inspections, training, and qualifications according to the dictates of the department’s weapons qualification program. The range officers are under the immediate supervision of the duty supervisor, and also are under the supervision of the weapons qualification program supervisor.
The breath test operator job specialty is created to provide officers with a state certified technician in the administration of breath test exams using the department’s breath test machine. The breath test operator receives state certification from the Illinois Department of Public Health upon successful completion of training. The breath test operation is under the direct supervision of the duty supervisor, and also under the supervision of the DUI program supervisor.
The traffic enforcement officer position is created to address selective and concentrated traffic law enforcement. This includes rigorous enforcement of impaired driving violations. Officers assigned to the traffic unit are under the direct supervision of the traffic unit sergeant. Traffic enforcement officers receive specialized training in traffic crash investigation and traffic law enforcement procedures.
The field training officer (FTO) job specialty is created to provide job training to new officers on the duties and requirements of the patrol officer position. The field training officer is primarily a uniformed member of the patrol section who is under the immediate direction of the shift supervisor and the indirect supervision of the FTO program supervisor. The field training officer follows the training format and procedures outlined in the department’s Field Training Manual, which includes provisions for testing and evaluating job performance
The tactical officer job specialty is created to perform selective enforcement activities in the community. A tactical officer may perform his duties in plainclothes or in uniform, depending on the enforcement needs at any specific time. The tactical officer will supplement the activities of the uniformed officers and criminal investigators. The tactical officer is under the direct supervision of the duty supervisor.
The high school police counselor job specialty is created to provide a law enforcement liaison to Prospect High School faculty, staff, students, and parents of students on police related matters of mutual concern and interest. This officer, by maintaining a continuing presence in the high school, can more effectively address and resolve problems, and can maintain a safe and secure environment for the achievement of the school’s educational goals and objectives. The high school police counselor is under the direct supervision of the Investigative Section Commander, but coordinates her work closely with specific school officials. During times when the high school is closed for normal schedules, as during the summer months, the high school police counselor will supplement the staff of the Investigative Section or be utilized in other components as determined by the Deputy Chief of Field Operations.
The fire arson investigator job specialty is created to provide the necessary expertise in the determination of the causes of arson fires and explosions and the criminal investigation of them. The police fire arson investigator maintains a close liaison and working relationship with the fire department arson investigator, with police evidence technicians and other county, state and federal arson investigation units. The police fire arson investigator is under the functional authority of the Investigative Section Commander, but is under the direction of the incident supervisor at a field scene.
The
crime prevention officer job specialty is created to provide a special link with
the community in order to maintain lines of communication that will allow the
department to remain responsive to the changing needs and concerns of the
citizens. In addition, the crime prevention officer will provide the necessary
support functions to other components within the department. The crime
prevention officer will generally wear the uniform of the day and come under the
direction of the Deputy Chief of Field Operations. The crime prevention officer
should possess the ability to project a positive, knowledgeable and professional
image to the community as a representative of the department. The crime
prevention officer will endeavor to establish and maintain programs that educate
the community and the department on all aspects of crime prevention and
community relations.
The Police Department recruits and trains officers to provide classroom instruction and skill training in specialized areas. Currently, officers have been certified by the department to teach in the following topical areas:
1. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
2. PR-24 side-handle baton
3. O. C. Aerosol Spray
4. Radar
5. First Responder
6. HAZMAT - First Responder Awareness
7. Tactical Handcuffing
The Spanish language interpreter job specialty is created to provide assistance to patrol and investigative personnel in the interviewing and interrogating of Spanish speaking individuals. The officer assigned to this job specialty also is responsible for providing assistance in the interpretation of Spanish language documents, and for providing a contact within the department for Spanish speaking residents. The Spanish language interpreter is under the direct supervision of the duty supervisor.
The NIPAS EST member job specialty is created to support and supplement the NIPAS EST, a multi-jurisdiction mutual aid organization designed to provide an emergency strategic and tactical law enforcement response capability to NIPAS member police agencies. The NIPAS EST member is under the direct supervision of the NIPAS command structure, and reports within the department to the Deputy Chief of Field Operations.
The NIPAS Field Force member job specialty is created to support and supplement the NIPAS Field Force, a multi-jurisdiction mutual aid organization designed to provide an emergency strategic and tactical crowd control response capability to NIPAS member police agencies. The NIPAS Field Force member is under the direct supervision of the NIPAS command structure, and reports within the department to the Deputy Chief of Field Operations.
The traffic accident reconstructionist job specialty is created to provide the traffic accident investigation expertise required to investigate and determine the cause of vehicular collisions on the basis of the crash dynamics and the physical evidence available for inspection at the crash site. This expertise generally is beyond that which is normally possessed or needed by officers investigating minor or uncomplicated traffic crashes. The department's traffic accident reconstructionist generally is assigned to investigate crashes involving fatalities, serious personal injury accidents with injuries likely to result in death or permanent disability, accidents involving village vehicles with significant property damage or personal injury, accidents occurring as a result of a police action (i.e. chase), accidents involving extensive damage to village property, and any other accident where circumstances warrant the involvement of the reconstructionist.
The physical fitness coordinator job specialty is created to provide expertise in the job related aspects of diet, conditioning and fitness. The officer assigned to this job specialty is responsible for scheduling, conducting, or supervising all departmental fitness and health testing, as well as providing information to department members on matters related to the specialty. The physical fitness coordinator is under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Field Operations, but coordinates many activities with the Deputy Chief of Administrative Support Services.
The police technology administrator job specialty is created to provide the technical expertise needed to install, maintain and upgrade the department’s local area computer network system, provide liaison with other Village departments sharing the local area computer network, and provide training and technical support to all member users. The department’s computer network system consists of numerous PC workstations which include PC’s, monitors and printers. The police technology administrator is responsible for installation and management of all software programs on the workstations. The police technology administrator is under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Administrative Support Services.
The Mount Prospect Police Department Honor Guard was formed in 1998 to provide a ceremonial presence at departmental and village award ceremonies, honors ceremonies and to pay final respects for any fallen members. This select unit is made up of hand selected members and receives additional training in drill and ceremonies as well as the distinctive uniform of the Honor Guard.