Community Safety Ambassador (POOL)
Location: Washington, DC
Job ID: 22777
Salary: $58,591 - $75,436
Closing Date: September 3, 2023
This position is located in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and operates underneath either the Patrol Services South (PSS) Bureau or the Patrol Services North (PSN) Bureau. The position is responsible for responding to non-priority calls for service. Community Safety Ambassadors (CSAs) provide support to the department’s sworn members in non-emergency, non-priority situations; engage in community outreach with the public; and offer a visible, community-based police support function to enhance MPD’s service to the public. CSAs are non-sworn members of MPD who are authorized to assist sworn members in the performance of certain duties that do not require law authority to make arrests; they are essential components of the department’s efforts to provide quality service to the residents and visitors of the District of Columbia.
By focusing of non-exigent calls for service and quality of life issues, CSAs help to free up police officers to focus more on crimes requiring an armed response. CSAs shall not replace other job classifications, although they may support such work if needed.
This Community Safety Ambassador position is covered under the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) bargaining unit and you may be required to pay an agency fee through direct payroll deductions.
The incumbent will be responsible for the following:
- CSAs are intended to support Patrol Services by responding to low priority and non-emergency calls for service. CSAs will also assist with other functions that do not require a sworn officer’s response. CSAs contribute to MPD’s mission statement by assisting with community engagement functions, special events, crime prevention initiatives, and other tasks as determined by their commanding officers. The CSA program is intended to supplement the efforts of officers in the field and to reduce the number of non-emergency calls to which sworn members must respond.
- Pursuant to MPD policies, supervisors shall use their discretion when assigning tasks to CSAs, however, their safety, training, and ability to complete tasks should always be considered. The following is a list of tasks that CSAs may perform. This list is not intended to limit their duties and responsibilities; CSAs may also be utilized to supplement other department functions as needed and as outlined by departmental policies, directives, and procedures.
- Responds to non-emergency calls for service, as outlined by MPD policy, where there is no known suspect and no indication of risk to the responder (e.g., property damage, theft, and abandoned / recovered property).
- Assists in non-hazardous area searches as required.
- Assists the community in any non-hazardous situations and situations which do not involve criminal activity.
- Responds to traffic crashes not involving criminal offenses (e.g., hit-and-runs, DUI) or fatalities. Responds to traffic hazards and resolves them safely or directs traffic until the hazards have been mitigated.
- Directs traffic at special events, fires, traffic accidents, school crossings, and other incidents as directed by a supervisor.
- Alert the dispatcher to suspected part one criminal activity or potentially hazardous situations, minimizing personal risk and risk to others while being a good witness.
- Processes prisoners: photographing and fingerprinting, etc.
- Assists in low-risk scene security under the direction of a supervisor, police officer, or detective to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons.
- Assesses premises on burglary scenes and provide residents and business owners or staff with safety advice to prevent further burglaries.
- Responds to business or residential burglary alarms where there is no indication of a crime to be in progress.
- Responds to noise complaints during daytime hours.
- Administers first aid, as necessary, to the extent that they have been trained at the Metropolitan Police Academy.
- Testifies in court if subpoenaed.
- Engages with the community by maintaining high visibility (e.g., nightlife areas, holiday shopping, business checks) and by attending community meetings/events.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- After having completed training at MPD, maintain knowledge of DC’s criminal justice system and associated terminology; District transportation/road network system.
- Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with supervisor, coworkers, and the general public; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally, verbally, and in writing and to follow instructions; and ability to work independently as required.
- Ability to deal with the general public in adverse situations, exercising a high degree of tact, diplomacy, and persuasion, as well as the ability to use good judgement in seeking compliance.
- Regular and prompt attendance is mandatory in the performance of an employee’s duties for this position, to include scheduled work hours and required training activities, calls for mandatory overtime needs, and calls for service during times of emergency.
- Ability to understand and interpret relevant District and federal laws and regulations.
- Knowledge of the department’s organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
- After having completed training at MPD, maintain a thorough knowledge of investigative practices and techniques.
- Ability to work independently in carrying out the department’s mission and objectives.
- Skill in report writing; knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Suite applications and other office software as needed.
- Ability to follow instructions, analyze and make recommendations and decisions, and prepare comprehensive reports in a clear, concise, logical and objective manner and present the results in both written and oral formats.
- Ability to handle high level stress while responding to assignments, which includes prioritizing tasks and time/case management. Ability to escalate calls to sworn members, when appropriate, through proper dispatch protocols.
Licensures, Certifications and other requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Education
High School Diploma or its equivalent is required. Associate’s Degree preferred.
Work Experience
Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the CS-7 grade level, or its non-District equivalent, gained from the public or private sector. Specialized experience includes understanding the Department's organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; ability to learn MPD's General Orders in relation to CSA areas of responsibility; communicating orally and operating Microsoft Suite applications and other office software; handling high level stress while responding to calls which includes prioritizing tasks, time/case management; and the ability to analyze and make recommendations and decisions, and prepare comprehensive reports in a clear, concise, logical and objective manner and present the results in both written and oral formats.
