Investigative Police Officer
Position Summary:
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.
Essential Functions:
- Directs and gathers evidence at crime scenes and files criminal cases with the proper authorities when warranted.
- 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.
- Is responsible for the maintenance and security of all evidence and non-departmental property.
- Supervise field investigations and criminal cases.
- Reads, writes, and comprehends legal and non-legal documents in English, prepares and processes required reports, citations, affidavits, warrants, and supplemental documents.
- Communicates effectively with supervisors, peers, civilian employees, groups, and citizens.
- Communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
- Gathers information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of witnesses, suspects, and confidential informants.
- Prepares investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations.
- Works with citizens to identify problems, establish goals, and utilize resources available to eliminate the problem or reduce the impact upon the community.
- 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.
- Effects arrests and forcible entry, when necessary while using handcuffs and other restraints.
- 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.
- 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.
- Conducts visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
- Effectively communicates with Juveniles and adults by giving information and directions, mediating disputes, and advising of rights and processes.
- Endures verbal and mental abuse when confronted with hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered while on duty.
- Processes arrested suspects to include taking photographs and obtaining a legible set of inked fingerprints.
- 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.
- Demonstrates effective communication skills in court, in formal and informal settings, and before community groups, school classes, and other types of organizations.
Requirements:
- 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
Preferred Requirements:
- 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.