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THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES ()i11I;~~-\ : ·m·-~,· -~' = · .. ,:_- ,~, ~~J · :
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
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CLASS SPECIFICATION
7-20-84 2227
POLICE SERGEANT
summary of Duties: supervises a squad or detail of Police Officers
or civilian employees and instructs them in the performance of their
assigned duties; performs some initial and follow-up investigation
of crimes; does surveillance work to detect or prevent crime; and
does related work.
Distinguishing Features: The work of a Police Sergeant is distin­guished
from that of a Police Lieutenant in that the latter exercises
supervision over the activities of an assigned watch or 24-hour team
of a ~ision, wnile a Police sergeant may be in charge of a ae.,c tion
or · of a division. A Police sergeant is responsible for the
supervision and instruction of a group of Police Officers in their
assigned duties and for the propriety of their acts in a squad or
detail. In nonsupervisory assignments, a Police sergeant may
independently make complete investigations on various assignments
such as newly passed ordinances arid laws and management research
assignments. A Police sergeant d"iffers from a Police Detective in
that the latter investigates specialized crimes, or works as a full­time
follow-up investigator.
Examples of Duties:- Patrols the streets of an assigned area;
observes, supervises, and instructs Police Officers in the enforce­ment
of laws and ordinances, the prevention of crime, and the pro­tection
of life and property; takes personal charge of the activities
of a detail assigned to some specific function or activity involving
general police regulation and enforcement; checks personnel and
equipment; relieves and assumes responsibilities of a watch or team
Lieutenant during absenc~s;
Investigates complaints to determine whether a crime has been
committed; secures evidence for the arrest and prosecution of felony
suspects; advises concerning the sufficiency of evidence for the
holding of suspects; detects, gathers, and preserve· s evidence from
various sources; assists prosecuting officers or attorneys in the
preparation of cases in the presentation of evidence; preserves
evidence for study and analysis by technical experts; • Assigns work to officers engaged in the control, detection, and
elimination of vice in geographical divisions; supervises and
instructs motorcycle officers engaged in the enforcement of traffic
regulations, investigations of traffic accidents, and control of
traffic; investigates personnel complaints against Police Depart­ment
employees; inspects jail activities to insure conformance with
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police sergeant - 2
established regulations and routines; checks jail passes, releases,
new procedures, and cases involving special dispositions; checks the
operation of communications facilities and makes recommendations for
the improvement of service;
As a member of · a police team, may participate · in the investigation
of various types of crimes in a specified geographic subdivision;
participates in community relations activities; may act as an assis­tant
team leader or a station supervisor; may participate in or
supervise the enforcement of traffic laws; may be assigned to
emergency preparedness activities; and may occasionally be assigned
to other duties for training purposes or to meet technological
changes or unexpected emergencies.
Qualifications: A good knowledge of criminal law with particular
reference to the investigation, apprehension, arrest and prosecution
of persons, rules of evidence perta.1.ning to searches and seizures,
the preparation and presentation of evidence in criminal cases, and
the elements of misdemeanor and felony offenses; a good knowledge of
safety principles and practices; a working knowledge of the organiza­tion,
functions, responsibilities, and procedures of the Los Angeles
Police Department, including the techniques and procedures of police
record keeping and 6f gathering and interpreting crime data; a
working knowledge of the laws and regulations related to equal
employment opportunity and affirmative action; a general knowledge
of memoranda of understanding as they apply to subordinate
_ personnel; a general knowledge of City personnel rules, policies and
procedures; a general knowledge of the provisions. of the United
states cons ti tut ion, the cons ti tut ion of California, and the City
Charter; a general knowledge of the organization, jurisdiction, and
functions of the several law enforcement and social we.lfare agencies
of the United states government, State of California, County of Los
, Angeles, City of Los Angeles, and other public and private agencies
which have duties and activities r·elated to those of the Police
Department; a general knowledge of the - general principles of sound
police administration and of accepted practices and procedures of
police science and administration, including investigation, identifi­cation,
and modus operandi; a general knowledge of Police Department
goals and . ethical standards; ·. a general knowledge - of first aid
principles and techniques; skill in the use of firearms; the ability
to give first aid to injur·-ea--·•· persons; the ability to analyze
situations and to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of
action; the ability to remember names, faces, and the details of
incidents and places; the ability to instruct, advise, and supervise
Police Officers in the essential phases of police work; and the
ability to obtain information by interrogation, investigation, and
observation.
Four years as a Police Officer and/or Police Detective with the City
of Los Angeles is required.
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. Police sergean~ - 3
The following may be substituted for up to a maximum of one year of
the required experience:
Education in a recognized college or university may be substituted
at the rate of one year of such education for three months of
Los Angeles Police Department service.
Experience as an officer in a public nonmilitary law enforcement
agency ( other than the Los Angeles Police Department) may be sub­stituted
at the rate of one year of such experience for six months
of Los Angeles Police Department service. ·
License: A valid California driver's license is required.
Physical Requirements: candidates for Police sergeant must meet
such medical and physical guidelines as the Board of civil service
commissioners may prescribe.
As provided in civil service commission Rule 2.5 and section 4.55
of the Administrative Code, this specification is descriptive,
explanatory and not restrictive. It is not intended to declare
what the duties and responsibilities of any position shall be.