Job Description

The Chief Investigator for the Citizens Police Oversight Commission will help to lead the commission in the investigation and assessment of citizen complaints against members of the Philadelphia Police Department. This position reports to the Director of Investigations with wide latitude for independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Note: This list of essential functions is not intended to be inclusive.

• In collaboration with the Director of Investigations, help develop and implement standard operating procedures for the Investigations Unit using established oversight practices and investigative expertise.
• Help to develop and execute investigator training program to ensure all investigators receive proper training on CPOC procedures and PPD procedures.
• Conduct interviews of complainants and civilian witnesses about police incidents that are the subject of civilian complaints against police.
• Gather evidence through canvassing for witnesses, seeking out video footage, and other means.
• Obtain and review documentary evidence related to incidents under investigation, including medical records, reports related to forensic analysis, and other police reports and documents.
• Interview police personnel as subjects and witnesses of complaints with union representation present.
• Draft and edit reports of investigation, interview summaries, recommendations, and other materials related to investigations.
• Analyze facts of investigations against police policies and legal standards to make logically sound recommendations about whether misconduct occurred.
• Sensitively conduct complaint intake for new complaints and make referrals to outside agencies as needed.
• Identify and report on policy and tactics issues and potential large-scale policy projects as they arise in investigative work.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Police Department policies, rules, and practices.
• Assist with critical incident reviews of uses of force, large-scale events, and other matters as directed by Executive Director.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and other agency management to build the policies and practices of the CPOC Investigations Unit.
• Maintain a thorough and organized record of investigative actions for each investigation.
• Mentor and train non-investigative CPOC staff on investigative techniques and practices, interviewing techniques, case management, and law enforcement procedures as needed.
• Seek out and participate in professional groups and trainings to maintain awareness of best practices related to community-police relations, civilian oversight of police, and police reform nationally.
• Develop, initiate, and maintain strategies and tactics to complete objectives and goals defined by the Commission and its mission.
• Coordinate closely with the Executive Director and the Director of Investigations to carry out the functions of the Commission.
• Provide guidance to the Executive team, as needed, regarding best practices and trends in community-police relations and police reform nationally and locally.
• Help to maintain transparency between the Commission, the Police Department, elected officials, and the public.
• Attend Police Department hearings and interviews to monitor complaint cases.
• Assist in the preparation of an annual report setting out the Commission’s accomplishments, reports, and activities.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Investigations and Executive Director.

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent oral communication and listening skills with the ability to conduct exhaustive interviews and ask probing questions.
• Strong analytical writing skills and editing skills. Must be able to distill complex information.
• Thorough understanding of and experience with the complex nature of community-police relations.
• Ability to manage an investigation from start to finish with focus, organization, persistence, and flexibility.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to evaluate investigations to ensure fact-finding is thorough and conclusions are sound.
• Demonstrated ability to perform neutral and objective analyses of incidents, policies, and information.
• Curious about legal issues surrounding policing and police department procedures.
• Values and encourages diversity of thought, background, and perspective.
• Experience and fluency in MS Office software programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Helpful, respectful, approachable, and team-oriented; committed to building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Receptive to feedback and constructive criticism.

WORK-LIFE

Working hours are generally 37.5 hours per week. Following an initial three (3) month probationary period of full time in-office work, employees work in a hybrid schedule. Over a two-week period, you will be scheduled to be in office half of the time and work from home the other half. This amounts to two days in office one week, and three the next. Your schedule is set with your supervisor. Working from home is a privilege; work violations may result in amendments to the hybrid schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, or any combination of education and experience deem appropriate by the appointing authority.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant combined education and/or experience in a related field
• Familiarity with criminal justice procedures, investigative techniques, police-community relations, police procedures generally and procedures of the Philadelphia Police Department.
• Experience working with sensitive and confidential information.
• Knowledge of Philadelphia and communities of Philadelphia a plus.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, writing sample, references and a resume.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation : City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

_ *The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire_

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx