Job Description

Posting number: PT001-5713

Department: Police Department

Division: 5713 - Police Training

Job classification: Part-Time Special Investigator - Backgrounds (Non-Exempt)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Investigative

Summary

Position includes conducting thorough background investigations for open LPD sworn and unsworn positions by interviewing employers, co-workers, neighbors, law enforcement officials, military personnel, members of the candidates’ family and personal references; prepares reports on findings; makes recommendations as to background findings; may supervise or act as a lead worker to staff involved in the above work; and performs other related duties.

May also assist in other areas of the department such as:

• Investigation of unsolved murder cases by reviewing current information and compiling new information gained through investigation;
• Backgrounds for other areas/positions within the PD;
• Record research for document/evidence destruction.

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Examples of duties

• Reviews completed background interview forms of public safety candidates with each candidate, checking for inconsistencies, errors, omissions, falsifications and minimum requirements to ensure accuracy and completion before beginning initial candidate interview;
• Obtains and reviews records from Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and State and Municipal law enforcement records, where candidate has resided to determine if candidate was a witness, victim, suspect or perpetrator of any crime;
• Obtains and reviews arrest reports, witness statements, and other relevant documents to determine candidate compliance with Civil Service Commission policies;
• Obtains and reviews reports from credit reporting agencies in order to evaluate candidate’s financial responsibility;
• Conducts background investigations by interviewing employers, co-workers, neighbors, law enforcement officials, military personnel, members of the candidate’s family and personal references;
• Makes additional inquiries to assist in determining credibility of statements;
• Observes each person being interviewed for the presence or absence of physical indicators of intoxication, the use of controlled substances, truthfulness, etc.;
• Prepares detailed and complete interview statements for each person being interviewed in order to allow a reviewer to draw reasonable and logical conclusions about the prospective candidates;
• Prepares final background investigation package for presentation to supervision and management by organizing all investigative material in accordance with established procedures;
• Meets regularly with management and/or candidate in order to keep them apprised of the status of the investigation;
• Prepares detailed summary of adverse information based upon objective analysis and evaluation of candidate’s background, and interviewee statements, as measured against requirement standards as set forth by the Civil Service Commission;
• Completes background packages for review and final recommendation;
• May train new investigators in the techniques and concepts of administrative background investigation;
• May supervise or act as a lead worker to staff involved in the above duties;
• May occasionally be assigned to other duties for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies.
• Perform work in accordance with department rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures;
• Keep records and prepare activity reports;
• Testify in court as needed;
• Review existing police reports and documents related to the assigned cases;
• Re-contact involved parties and conduct follow up interviews;
• Work with other agencies by obtaining or sharing information relative to assigned cases;
• Review Existing evidence including photos, 911 calls, camera footage, jail call, and other forensic evidence related to assigned cases;
• Display empathy and patience and an unbiased attitude when dealing with victim families;
• Keep victim families aware of case progress when prudent;
• Arrange to and take additional statements when needed;
• Follow up on all credible leads in a timely fashion;
• Ensure the collection and analysis of all physical evidence;
• Obtain search and arrest warrants when applicable and ensure all court orders are done in accordance with LPD policy;
• Submit evidence for further examination when applicable;
• If probable cause is developed and there is sufficient information for prosecution, present the case and charge to the appropriate prosecuting attorney;
• Properly document all actions related to each case in supplement reports.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Honorably Retired Peace Officer from a local, state, or federal Law Enforcement Agency. Have at least two years work experience in criminal and or back ground investigations.

Supplemental information

Knowledge of:

• Standard investigative practices and processes;
• Universal law enforcement procedures;
• Texas laws and regulations;
• City of Lubbock and Lubbock Police Department policies, rules, instructions and procedures.
• Positive selection standards as set forth by the Civil Service Commission and all required Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) documentation;
• Confidentiality laws and issues such as confidentiality of personnel records, handling requests for information on candidates from operating departments, public, or the media;
• Rationales for confidentiality sufficient to ensure the integrity and personal privacy of candidate background investigation file and all information contained therein;
• Principles and practices of confidentiality sufficient to recognize actions that may compromise the integrity of investigation or investigation file documents;
• Various technical specialists available to assist in an investigation and when to request such assistance;
• Objective symptoms of use of alcohol and commonly used controlled substances, sufficient to recognize when a person may be under the influence.

Ability to:

• Learn
• Communicate effectively with others;
• Understand, follow, and give oral directions to others;
• Drive an automobile;
• Make keen observations and remember names, faces, and details of incidents;
• Write clear and accurate reports;
• Read, comprehend and interpret detailed, complex written material;
• Prepare clear, concise written reports;
• Analyze complex ideas or activities into smaller parts; simultaneously consider numerous facts, perceive patters and relationships, develop theories about past occurrences based on numerous small bits of information or evidence, compare and interpret information, recognize and examine discrepancies, and draw logical conclusions;
• Manage time sufficient to prioritize and combine investigations when practicable to ensure timely completion;
• Handle several cases at one time;
• Utilize appropriate investigative techniques for administrative investigation to frame a reflective image of the candidate’s background;
• Communicate and deal tactfully, persuasively, and effectively with coworkers, supervisors, management and the public;
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity through tact and courtesy when dealing with individuals from various social, cultural, racial, and economical backgrounds;
• Work cooperatively as part of a team;
• Remain calm and focused when interviewing distraught, angry, or combative persons;
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills required to discuss matters which are of a sensitive and sometime inflammatory nature with candidates, supervisors and management;
• Listen, in person and on the telephone, as required to pay close attention to what is being said and ask follow-up questions;
• Develop pertinent questions for interviews, perceive when the person being interviewed has not understood, rephrase/clarify questions, follow-up on unanswered questions or conflicting statements and keep the interview focused on the material to be covered.
• Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability, and the ability of the hiring department to reasonable accommodate the limitations.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasionally walk, stand, sit and kneel;
• Be able to hear/understand conversations in person and over a phone;
• Be able to transcribe information to a typewritten format.