Investigative Police Officer

Primary Purpose:
Direct and manage investigations of criminal offenses in the educational setting and local police agencies, ensuring these functions are executed with integrity, efficiency and accuracy, and are all within the acceptable parameters of constitutional mandates as well as any other legal and ethical constraints that may be imposed upon investigators acting under their authority as peace officers. Provide support and guidance to district police officers and other staff through investigation of moderate to complex level criminal offenses. Conduct follow-up criminal investigation and prepare cases to be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Assist with Department and District internal investigations as needed to determine if criminal intent exists.  

Qualifications:
Education/Certification:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Basic Investigator’s School
• Arrest, Search and Seizure; Use of Force; Penal Code Update
• Possession of valid Texas Driver’s License with a good driving record
• Possession of TCOLE Peace Officer License
• Applicant must pass an extensive criminal background investigation
• The applicant may be required to successfully complete a polygraph exam, physical exam, and psychological exam

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interviewing skills
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge of the criminal investigation process
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge of the rules and procedures of criminal evidence handling and security
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge of the process of criminal case file management and filing of criminal cases with the District Attorney’s Office
• Demonstrated training and knowledge of criminal justice information systems and databases (NCIC, TCIC, etc.) preferred
• Successful completion of TCOLE approved New Investigator Course preferred

Preferred Minimum Experience:

• Four or more years continuous law enforcement experience
• Two or more years of detective or investigation experience, preferably child related criminal offenses
• Possession of TCOLE Peace Officer Advanced Proficiency
• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university may substitute for the above three.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities: Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

1. Directs and gathers evidence at crime scenes and files criminal cases with the proper authorities when warranted.
2. Is responsible for either the primary and/or follow-up investigations into a possible illegal narcotic criminal act, vice operations, property crimes, and other criminal acts against adults or children, as assigned.
3. Is responsible for the maintenance and security of all evidence and non-departmental property.
4. Supervise field investigations and criminal cases.
5. Reads, writes, and comprehends legal and non-legal documents in English, prepares and processes required reports, citations, affidavits, warrants, and supplemental documents.
6. Communicates effectively with supervisors, peers, civilian employees, groups, and citizens.
7. Communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
8. Gathers information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of witnesses, suspects, and confidential informants.
9. Prepares investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations.
10. Works with citizens to identify problems, establish goals, and utilize resources available to eliminate the problem or reduce the impact upon the community.
11. Exercises independent judgment when determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree.
12. Effects arrests and forcible entry, when necessary while using handcuffs and other restraints.
13. Performs searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking or standing for long periods of time, detaining people, and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons through appropriate criminal procedures.
14. Pursues fleeing suspects and performs rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement vehicles; lifts carry, and drags heavy objects; climbs over and pulls self over obstacles; jumps down from elevated surfaces; climbs through openings; jumps over obstacles, ditches, and streams; crawls in confined areas; balances on uneven or narrow surfaces and uses bodily force to gain entrance through barriers.
15. Conducts visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
16. Effectively communicates with Juveniles and adults by giving information and directions, mediating disputes, and advising of rights and processes.
17. Endures verbal and mental abuse when confronted with hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered while on duty.
18. Processes arrested suspects to include taking photographs and obtaining a legible set of inked fingerprints.
19. Loads, unloads, aims, and fires approved weapons from a variety of body positions, under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in statutory and departmental regulations.
20. Demonstrates effective communication skills in court, in formal and informal settings, and before community groups, school classes, and other types of organizations.

Criminal Investigations:

1. Works alongside other officers and investigators at crime scenes to collect evidence and process the crime scene.
2. Maintains proper chain of custody of all criminal evidence.
3. Interviews suspects, witnesses, and victims to determine details of criminal offenses.
4. Locates, interviews, and checks the background of witnesses and suspects involved in the case.
5. Creates, supplements, and maintains detailed reports of the investigative process.
6. Exchanges information and coordinates activities with other investigatory and regulatory agencies.

Case Management and Preparation:

1. Ensures criminal case management and follow up.
2. Works independently or with others in planning and organizing work, assists in reconstructing events, sequences, and time elements in preparation of criminal cases.
3. Prepares case files to be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
4. Testifies in criminal or civil court.

Community Relations and Training Miscellaneous:

1. Prepares and delivers training for Department and District personnel in the instructional area of Criminal Investigations.
2. Prepares and delivers safety/security/crime awareness programs for the community.
3. Attends training and educational development courses both locally and state-wide to increase skills and knowledge.
4. Maintains a good working relationship with other law enforcement agencies and criminal justice agencies and assists them as needed.
5. Completes other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or through the chain-of-command.

Other:

1. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
2. Must be present regularly in person.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

1. None 

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: 
Tools/Equipment Used: District vehicle, firearms, handcuffs, security equipment, two-way radio, alarm system and other security equipment, fire extinguisher, and standard office equipment including computer and peripherals

Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing

Motion: Strenuous walking and climbing; frequent keyboarding/mouse, prolonged driving

Lifting: Moderate lifting and carrying (15–44 pounds)

Environment: Work inside and outside (moderate exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather), moderate exposure to noise, frequent district wide travel

Other: Specific hearing and visual requirements; may be subject to adverse and hazardous working conditions including violent and armed confrontations; ability to control sudden violent or extreme physical acts of others and exhibit rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; prolonged hours; on call 24 hours a day. 

*Persons authorized to bear arms must be certified peace officers. Districts employing police officers must have adopted policies CKE (Legal) and DEB (Legal).

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