Cellblock Processing Tech

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital – Washington, D.C. Given that distinction, The Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,300 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and savings options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits

This is an agency-wide position located in the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The position description is designed for use in all Metropolitan Police Department Bureaus. The incumbent serves as the Cellblock Processing Technician responsible for ensuring arrestees are searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and held in secured and safe custody.

This Cellblock Processing Tech position is covered under the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE R3-5) bargaining unit, and you may be required to pay an agency fee through direct payroll deductions.

The Incumbent Will Be Responsible For The Following

• Conducts a cell check at the start of the shift to verify prisoners are in the correct cells. Inspect unoccupied cells for weapons and contraband, report findings to the supervisor, and log all check-in.
• Conducts cell checks at least every thirty minutes to verify prisoners’ status. Enters occupied cells safely per procedures; awaken prisoners to assess their condition, confirm their presence, and records check-in the appropriate log.
• Conducts special cell checks, at least every ten minutes to monitor prisoners with potential suicide risks or special needs (e.g., wheelchair-bound, using crutches). Assess their condition, notify the supervisor of any concerns, and record checks in the appropriate logs, and assist with daily facility inspections.
• Inspect the transportation vehicle at the start and end of each shift to ensure it is properly equipped, free of tampering, weapons, and contraband, and check for any damage or defects and complete the daily vehicle inspection and activity report.
• Receive and review PD-163 arrest packages from the Transport Officer for accuracy and completeness of information and verify that the Washington Area Law Enforcement System (WALES) and/or the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) printout is attached to the Arrest/Prosecution Report, and proper charges are specified, and entered into the Criminal Justice Information system (CJIS), ensuring it matches the PD-163, and resolve discrepancies.
• Conducts visual scan of arrestees for injuries, medical conditions, or signs of mental illness. Refer those with medical issues/complaints of pain back to the transporting officer.
• Record prisoner’s physical description, including heigh, weight, hair color, eye color, complexion, and location of any visible scars, marks, and tattoos on the arrest report. Take required photos, verify the prisoner’s PD ID number, and other information to be entered into CJIS. Update CJIS as needed based on return reports from AFIS.
• Provide station clerk officers with arrest packages to begin booking. Operates the LiveScan automated fingerprint system to capture arrestee information and fingerprints, forward paperwork to the AFIS for wristband production, and assigned the prisoners to cells, recording the cell number and court information in CJIS/WALES.
• Process prisoners being released on Citation Release or Elect to Forfeit.
• Subdues unruly or combative prisoners and uses the minimum level of force necessary to prevent violence, escape, self-defense, etc., and prepare incident reports of events. Provides first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and an automated defibrillator as required and documents events.
• Provide prisoners food and drinks according to prescribed schedule.
• May be summoned to testify in court concerning incidents in the Cellblock.
• Maintains the security of the Cellblock by periodically checking that all cell doors, entrance doors, entrance gates, other protective devices are locked.
• Responds to inquiries about prisoners from family members, law enforcement officials, and attorneys.
• Assists in booking prisoners, logging check-in times, and conducting tag and WALES checks. Assists visitors at the counter, issue reports, parking permits, fines, receipts, and handle other related tasks.
• Periodically attends training to obtain certification, refresher and new training as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge of arrestee processing procedures, e.g., custody, juveniles, injured individuals, property, searching, etc.

• Knowledge in applying physical restraint to subdue combative persons.
• Ability to communicate information verbally and in written reports and to provide official testimony in a court of law.
• Ability to operate photography equipment and use of a computerized fingerprint system.
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior.
• Ability to work effectively with persons of diverse backgrounds and ethnicity.
  
  

Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements

N/A

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the CS-06 grade level, or its non-District equivalent, gained from the public or private sector. Specialized experience includes understanding and applying arrestee processing procedures, use of force, ink and card fingerprints, lively decision, and various verification processes; operating photography equipment and the use of a computerized fingerprint system; and the ability to communicate information verbally and in writing.

Work Environment

The employee works in a security controlled, closed, isolated environment and may be exposed to violent, hostile, derelict persons that may have contagious diseases. Contact with certain persons may require the employee to wear gloves and mask and use of lice spray.

Other Significant Factors

Promotional Potential: Promotional potential to the grade 8.

This position operates within the confines of a 24/7 operation. Incumbent of this position is required to provide after-hours on call technical support including weekends and holidays. Incumbent may also be subjected to rotating shifts, weekend work and changes in days off.

This position is deemed as “Safety Sensitive” pursuant to Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening and criminal background check (pre-employment and periodic), individuals may be subject to the following checks and tests: (select the appropriate designation, if applicable)

• Traffic record check (as applicable);
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test (as applicable);
• Consumer credit check (as applicable);
• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
• Random drug and alcohol test;
• Return to duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test; and
• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.
  
  

A background investigation, to include a criminal, traffic and credit check are required for positions with the Metropolitan Police Department.

The incumbent is required to possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s permit.

This position is part of the Pathways to Government Employment Partnership Program. District residents who received a high school diploma from a District of Columbia Public Schools high school or District of Columbia Public Charter School high school or received a GED or its equivalent from the District of Columbia will receive priority consideration for this entry-level position. Applicants must provide a high school transcript, GED certificate, high school diploma, or other applicable documentation along with verification of District residency before the district government may extend a final offer of employment.

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.

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