Detective (Major Crimes)

Description

This position is responsible for the investigation of reported or suspected criminal activity and the prosecution of federal, state, and local laws. The Investigator performs a variety of duties including gathering, analyzing, and evaluating facts and evidence, processing crime scenes, conducting interviews, monitoring suspects, obtaining search and arrest warrants, participating in raids and arrests, and other duties as assigned. Work requires independent judgment and discretion in difficult or unusual situations.

For consideration, applicants must have extensive experience in conducting and overseeing complex investigations related to crimes against persons. A strong background in areas such as Homicide, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Crimes Against Women & Children, Domestic Violence, or related fields is required.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Investigates reports of crimes in progress, reports of recently discovered crimes, and incident reports prepared by police officers.
• Identifies possible witnesses and suspects through independent investigation or reports of other officers or witnesses; conducts interviews to gather information regarding criminal incidents and records statements made.
• Maintains control over physical evidence gathered.
• Determines probable cause to search, obtains search warrant from appropriate courts, and personally conducts searches authorized; describes reason for arrest and obtains arrest warrants from appropriate court, and either personally makes arrest or turns warrant over to uniform patrol division or other law enforcement agency for service.
• Detains and arrests suspects; protects the rights of individuals in custody; processes arrested persons by obtaining identification and prior arrest record information, recording all property and evidence seized, and transporting suspects to jail.
• Gathers all information related to a case; determines, either personally or with assistance of supervisor, when case is complete and submits information assembled to court system for prosecution; assists court system with additional investigation as required; appears as a witness in local, state, and federal courts to provide testimony regarding cases investigated.
• Prepares a variety of records and reports including supplemental reports of investigations.
• Completes and maintains a wide variety of departmental reports in compliance with departmental and legal policies and procedures.
• Reviews incident reports and arrest records to determine patterns of criminal activity.
• Maintains contacts with community members who may be able to provide information regarding possible criminal activities.
• Communicates in person, by telephone, or by mail with other police and public safety agencies to gather information regarding cases.
• Conducts stakeouts and undercover operations as necessary.
• Maintains assigned uniform, vehicle, and equipment in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.
• Participates in departmental training programs.
• Performs uniform patrol duties when required.
• Participates in departmental meetings, job related conferences, seminars; community services related events and / or in-service training programs.
• Performs specialized assignments as required, including administrative, technical, training and / or investigative roles in other divisions within the department.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required by the position

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Effective audio and visual discrimination and perception needed to make observations; read and write; drive safely and simultaneously operate emergency lights, siren, radio, and computer; speak clearly and concisely, free from speech impediments; hear and understand radio, telephone, and normal range of verbal communications, discern color differences; identify and distinguish smells of different materials; sit or stand for prolonged periods; walk, run, stoop, kneel, crawl and crouch; walk up and down flights of stairs; climb or jump over obstacles such as fences, shrubs and ditches; run fast for short periods of time to apprehend suspects or provide emergency assistance; confront armed and dangerous subjects; make precise and coordinated finger, hand and limb movement; maintain uniform, controlled hand-arm posture or movement; push, pull or drag and adult (averaging 160 pounds); lift, pickup, and / or carry all sort of items of 50 pounds or more; use force to restrain / subdue combative subjects; work efficiently for long periods of time; drive motor vehicles under emergency and non-emergency conditions; fire weapon and / or utilize other non / less-lethal weapons on duty; perform lifesaving procedures; perform prolonged periods of concentrations such as proof reading, figure work, and reading various law enforcement materials; function effectively under stress; ability to deal effectively with the morbid, the repugnant, the abnormal, the morse, the psychotic, the neurotic, and otherwise unpleasant and unusual facets or results of human behavior.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Political Science, Criminology, Criminal Justice, or related field desired; Bachelor's degree preferred; four (4) to six (6) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience to include two (2) years as an investigator; Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities for the job may be considered in lieu of educational requirement; Certified Peace Officer under regulations of Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.); valid Georgia Driver's License; successfully pass pre-employment physical abilities test, medical and drug screen; satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR); and acceptable background investigation.