Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To maintain the safe and secure custody and control of offenders being transported between detention/correctional and mental health institutions and court locations, and to ensure the proper working order of security and restraining equipment and OPP vehicles used in the performance of duties.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Maintains the care, custody and control of offenders while transporting them between detention/correctional and mental health institutions and court locations. Ensures security and control, and deals with breaches of security or disruptive behaviour by applying restraint techniques, as required, using equipment such as handcuffs, asps and capsicum spray. Maintains the visual and audio observation of offenders secured in the transport vehicle, and reports breaches and unusual activity during transport. Maintains control, and searches offenders for contraband, weapons and evidence. Administers first aid, as required. Shares pertinent information with institutional and court staff and police services personnel such as expected arrival time, delays, etc.

2. Maintains and updates transport documentation, e.g., Prisoner Load List, Inmate Return List, Daily Prisoner Transfer Report, identifying dates, times and court rooms for next appearances, and prisoner property being transported. Maintains notebook and records movement of offenders, noting particulars of routine and unexpected incidents and behaviour, e.g., arrival and departure times, and vehicle problems. Prepares incident reports including details of fights, medical emergencies, etc.

3. Ensures proper legal documentation is in order for each prisoner being transported, and that it accompanies the prisoners and is provided to the appropriate police and/or court personnel as required.

4. Testifies in court to provide a factual account of incidents involving offenders during transport, as required.

5. Operates OPP vehicles in a safe and secure manner, ensuring the safety of offenders, including assessing travel conditions, and identifying and/or verifying unusual conditions with provincial communication centres.

6. Ensures proper working order of security and use of force equipment. Performs vehicle safety checks on door latches, locks, tires, lights and other equipment, and monitors vehicle performance. Identifies the need for repairs to vehicles and faulty equipment. Ensures that video and audio equipment are in good working order. Completes maintenance on vehicles, as required, e.g., cleaning, filling oil, washer fluid.

7. Performs related duties such as assisting with the care, custody and control of offenders in court holding cells when necessary by monitoring, ensuring security (e.g. handcuffing, shackling and searching offenders) and providing offender meals as required. Also, when required, clean up waste left by prisoners in the vehicle compartment including feces and bodily fluids utilizing supplied biohazard-cleaning equipment.

8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Staffing and Licensing Requirements:

Certification in emergency first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Heartsaver Certificate (CPR) in order to administer first aid to offenders; must maintain training and certification.

Must possess and maintain a valid Class G Driver's licence for the purpose of transporting offenders.

Must meet requirements of basic physical fitness testing and maintain basic level of fitness to provide required safety and security services.

Ability to pass and maintain ongoing certification in Use of Force.

Must be able to pass an OPP background security investigation.

Must be able to obtain and maintain Special Constable status.

Ability to work shifts and week-ends.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of related policies and procedures and relevant sections of legislation, including Criminal Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Ministry of Correctional Services Act, Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act;

Knowledge of practical theory, principals and techniques of Part 10 of Police Orders and approved OPP guidelines, including offender supervision and search techniques, security restraint techniques, techniques in defusing hostile and aggressive behavior including verbal defusing techniques, and the use of Capsicum spray and ASP baton to ensure the safe and secure transport of offenders in OPP vehicles and to avoid exposure to communicable diseases.

Knowledge of secure handling of weapons and contraband to properly handle such items found on offenders.

Knowledge of inmate sub-culture and prisoner jargon to understand offenders when observing and communicating with them during transport.

Knowledge of traffic laws of Ontario, basic vehicle maintenance and safety, and standard transport vehicle safety checks, e.g., tires, lights, safety equipment to ensure the safe transportation of offenders in OPP vehicles. Knowledge of operation of radio communication equipment to maintain contact with supervisor, police services and communication center to relay road conditions, weather, security issues, etc.

Knowledge of arithmetic, spelling and grammar/sentence structure as well as computer applications such as Microsoft suite of programs to input and retrieve data, complete reports and documentation, and to maintain accurate counts.

INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Interpersonal skills to interact with offenders in a non-confrontational manner to elicit their cooperation while escorting them to and from court appearances and cells and comply with transport rules and regulations; defuse disruptive behavior of offenders and resolve conflicts in a non-confrontational manner. Interpersonal skills to convey and exchange information with police officers, PPC, institutional and court staff regarding offender status/condition, incidents, breaches of security, vehicle or equipment breakdown resulting in delays in arrival, etc. Written communication skills to clearly, accurately and concisely document incidents and factual accounts for inclusion in reports.

Oral communication skills to testify in court, providing factual evidence regarding incidents involving offenders, as required.

PROBLEM SOLVING/COMPLEXITY:

Problem solving and evaluative skills to co-ordinate pick-ups/deliveries and respond to medical emergencies and situations involving injury, disruptive behaviour and non-compliance with rules, which interferes with maintaining transportation schedule.

Assesses condition of transport vehicle and equipment and evaluates how to resolve mechanical problems to ensure safe and secure offender transport.

Determines alternate routes due to road closures, traffic congestion, weather, etc.

Judgement :

Decisions are made in accordance with prescribed OPP policies, procedures, Police Orders, Use of Force Guidelines and relevant provincial legislation.

Decides on appropriate use of force to restrain offenders, i.e. handcuffs, batons, chemical restraints. Utilizes pertinent section of legislation and standard operating procedures in determining the appropriate placement of custodies in vehicles.

Selects suitable alternate highway routes, when necessary.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHER EMPLOYEES:

There is no formal responsibility for the work of other employees, but does provide on the job training to new transport officers.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS

Physical Demands:

Lifts and carries cuff/restraints bag and inmate property.

Bodily exertion required in training sessions and while applying use of force when restraining custodies that physically resist. Periodic supporting of offenders getting into vehicle.

Hand dexterity to search and place handcuffs on offenders, use Capsicum spray and asp baton, and check tire pressure.

Finger dexterity to use computer keyboarding for reports.

Sitting when driving offenders between institutions and courts. Some standing while waiting for offenders.

Sensory Demands:

Visual: As part of a two person team while driving in various road conditions and/or visual observation of offenders in vehicle via video terminal (may also be communicating via radio with dispatch personnel); Must remain attentive when getting in and out of vehicle and conducting searches (in-person); reading maps.

Audio: monitoring radio communications, listening to conversation of offenders for cues.

Olfactory: to detect smell of alcohol or contraband on offenders.

Must maintain an awareness of prisoners, other persons in vicinity and surroundings in general at all times when carrying out transport duties to maintain safety and security. Must maintain adherence to time constraints when transporting offenders to court and institutions on time for hearings and appointments; activities can be affected by mechanical problems, traffic accidents, weather, medical emergencies, delays at correctional facilities and long court proceedings.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Majority of work is spent in an OPP prisoner transport vehicle.