Detention Officer
Job Description
I. GENERAL SUMMARY more...
Reports to and receives assignments, instructions,
and direction from Sergeants, Lieutenants, and Captains. Reads
pass-on logs and receives activity briefings from off-going
shift personnel. Observes and monitors jail inmates, and detects
and deters improper or unacceptable behavior. Controls and
directs inmates while out of cell areas during transfers,
work assignments, meals, recreation, etc. Books inmates into
Inmate Processing Center and performs searches of individuals
and jail cells to locate weapons or contraband. Prepares logs,
records, and reports of jail activities. Performs other duties
and activities as directed.
II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS more...
A. Book inmates into Inmate Processing Center:
including conducting inmate classification interviews, operating
computer terminal to input, verify, and obtain information,
fingerprinting and photographing inmates, counseling and advising
inmates on jail rules and procedures, and preparing related
documents.
B. Monitor jail alarm systems and operate controls
for doors, elevators, and surveillance equipment.
C. Observe and monitor jail inmates to detect
behavioral problems, adjustment difficulties, recognition
of interpersonal problems and disputes, and identify unmanageable,
suicidal, or mentally ill inmates.
D. Direct and control inmates to ensure appropriate
behavior in cells in the jail area, during recreation and
meals, and while escorting inmates within the jail premises.
E. Conduct enters into cells to
ensure jail rules are being observed; including searching
inmates and their personal items for weapons and contraband
articles, and inspecting jail equipment, materials, and facilities
for signs of tampering.
F. Supervise, instruct, direct, and control
inmates performing internal work assignments.
G. Participate in inmate counts, including checking
wristband and transfer-card information and freezing
the floor or building.
H. Monitor and control jail visitors; including
verifying identity of visitor, purpose of visit, and eligibility
of inmate to receive visitors. Providing information and instructions
to all parties, securing weapons, resolving visitor problems
and complaints, and monitoring visitor and inmate interactions.
I. Calm nervous or agitated inmates and jail
visitors, and physically restrain unruly inmates and visitors
as necessary.
J. Prepare inmates for transfer; including counseling
and advising inmates on transfer rules and regulations, checking
wristband and transfer-card information, ensuring presence
of inmates personal items, and putting inmates into handcuffs
or other restraining devices.
K. Direct and control inmates to ensure appropriate
behavior when being transported outside the jail facility,
to court holding cells, on work assignments, or to the clinic
or hospital jail wards.
L. Maintain and update records, logs, and periodic
reports of jail and inmate activities, including narrative
reports, memorandum, and notes of incidents and offenses.
III. OTHER IMPORTANT
FUNCTIONS more...
A. Mediate and resolve inmate complaints and
disputes.
B. Collect and distribute inmate mail and items
such as clothing, bedding, toiletries, reading materials,
etc.
C. Research computer records to obtain information
concerning policies, procedures, regulations, warrants, etc.
D. Attend in-service training classes.
E. Maintain inventories of materials and supplies
required to support daily operations.
IV. JOB REQUIREMENTS:
A. Written Comprehension. more...
1. Ability to read and comprehend narrative
hand-written materials; including pass-on logs, round sheets,
caution tags, cell search logs, etc.
2. Ability to read and comprehend printed materials;
such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), fire procedures,
and the Inmate Handbook.
3. Ability to read and comprehend computer screen
information and data when booking individuals.
4. Ability to prepare hand-written activity
logs, and narrative incident and offense reports in a legible
and grammatically acceptable manner to permit comprehension
by the receiving party.
B. Verbal Comprehension. more...
1. Ability to understand and exchange information
with supervisors and co-workers when receiving assignments,
instructions, and shift change information, and while performing
assigned duties and tasks.
2. Ability to understand and exchange information
with the general public, including attorneys, jail visitors,
and maintenance personnel.
3. Ability to interact with inmates, and to
understand and comprehend inmate responses to questions.
4. Ability to provide verbal direction to inmates
to effect conformance to rules, regulations, and other directives.
C. Mathematical Capabilities. more...
1. Ability to add and subtract when taking prisoner
counts and reconciling discrepancies.
D. Visual Capabilities. more...
1. Ability to detect abnormal behavior and extraordinary
activities when observing the actions of an inmate or group
of inmates.
2. Ability to identify colors when preparing
personal descriptions requiring entry of color of eyes, preparing
written description of personal property in describing color
of jewelry, and observing armbands to identify classification
of inmates.
3. Ability to detect smoke from cigarettes,
electrical fires, etc.
4. Visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20
for both eyes.
5. Color vision must be normal.
E. Auditory Capabilities. more...
1. Ability to hear alarms.
2. Ability to hear and understand information
received over the telephone and intercom.
3. Ability to distinguish between normal jail
sounds and sounds indicating impending, improper or unacceptable
inmate behavior such as altercations, fights, assaults, etc.
4. Must have hearing that is within the normal
range as defined by nationally recognized audiometric standards,
or that surpasses the normal range.
F. Olfactory Capabilities. more...
1. Ability to detect the presence of smoke from
cigarettes, electrical fires, etc.
2. Ability to detect the presence of alcoholic
beverages or illegal drugs.
G. Physical Capabilities. more...
1. Ability to lift weights up to 40 pounds when
lifting and positioning Scott Air Pack on back.
2. Ability to climb stairs when moving within
cell blocks.
3. Ability to work in a standing position for
extended periods of time when observing and monitoring inmates,
checking cells, escorting inmates, etc.
4. Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel when checking
under tables, beds, and mattresses during cell searches.
5. Finger dexterity, and hand and arm steadiness
when adjusting knobs and switches, and operating computer
keyboard.
6. Eye, hand, and arm coordination when fingerprinting
individuals.
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