HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolice SergeantUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Police Sergeant
Department: Police
Division: Field Operations or Support Services
Supervisor: Police Captain and/or Police Lieutenant
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 29
Job Number: 2907
Job Summary
Supervises a shift of employees, responds to emergency and non-emergency requests and
enforces all City ordinances and state and federal laws, or has special assignment in
administration, SCAT/Investigation, Investigations, and Patrol.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Includes special assignment for the Police Department and periodically rotates
assignment with other Sergeants:
o Administration assignment includes community outreach, mental health liaison,
special events, and unhoused populations.
o Street Crimes Action Team (SCAT)/Investigations assignment includes high risk
crime unit and drug taskforce, drug education and training,
o Investigations assignment includes managing investigation cases, staff
assignments, warrant executions, and specialized cases.
o Patrol and field assignment includes assisting officers, responding to calls, and
reviewing reports.
• Prepares for watch meetings; gathers pertinent information from sources such as daily
reports, and relays needed information to officers.
• Allocates and directs assigned resources in response to daily law enforcement demands.
• Prepares daily roster and assigns personnel and duties.
• Visits officers in field to ensure each assigned officer is performing assigned duties.
• Follows up activities of assigned personnel to determine whether Police duties and
orders have been properly performed; ensures departmental orders, directives, rules
and regulations are understood and carried out.
• Participates in major investigative events.
• Inspects and maintains vehicles and Police equipment.
• Supervises operations at major crimes, emergencies and serious incidents.
• Reviews all reports prepared and submitted by assigned personnel.
• Maintains records of activities and completes reports for case files.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Assists officers with career development and training in a variety of areas; assures
officers are well trained; identifies deficiencies.
• Coaches and counsels assigned personnel in order to correct identified problems with
their job performance.
• Recommends expenditures for purchases of equipment, supplies and officer training.
• Monitors and approves overtime expenditures.
• Reviews arrest warrant and citation reviews; reviews use of force.
• Responds to complaints and recommends investigations or follow up as needed.
• Plans and coordinates special projects as assigned, which may include: reviews and
performs quality control of records; responds to media requests and public inquiries;
oversees development and reviews of all general orders and directives; insures
accreditation functions and schedules are met; develops and coordinates all department
training; monitors and oversees seizure of assets pending forfeiture and prepares press
releases (for investigations).
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or five years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Degree or sixty hours of coursework in Criminal Justice/Law
Enforcement or related. Three years of experience in law enforcement with Iowa City as
Patrol Officer.
• Iowa Peace Officer Certification. Valid State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory
driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Must live
within 25 miles of the corporate limits of Iowa City, Iowa within one year of appointment
to the position.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two years of related
experience; or six years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions,
percentages, area, and circumference.
• Ability to complete a variety of written reports and citations which may be used in a
court of law.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Ability to read and interpret ordinances, state laws, reports and updates regarding
criminal activity.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Knowledge of State and Federal laws, City ordinances, departmental policies,
procedures, and goals.
• Skill in oral and written communication, listening, public relations and management.
• Skill in the use of firearms, defense tactics and related law enforcement equipment.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Supervision
Involves leadership role such as regularly guiding, training, and providing direction to
permanent staff in completing daily tasks and assignments. May perform additional supervisory
duties at the direction of the Department or Division Head to include disciplinary action,
assisting with hiring or firing, and writing or delivering performance reviews.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee
regularly lifts and/or moves 25 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move 50 to 100 pounds
with or without assistance. Sufficient physical strength and stamina to bend, run, lift and crawl
into small spaces and to restrain suspects. Specific vision abilities required by this job include
close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to
adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee
is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen,
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
insect stings, animals, diseases and bloodborne pathogens. Employee may be exposed to
dangerous situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves some
exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations. Ability to work shift
work and extended hours.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Dustin Liston, Police Chief (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
________________________________ __________________