BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

INVESTIGATOR

Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA)

Number of Positions: 11

This position is open to the public and all current city employees covered under the City’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND

1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Under general supervision, investigates allegations of misconduct against members of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), including incidents involving excessive force, domestic violence, sexual misconduct, coercion, and verbal abuse, search and seizure violations, including incidents involving death or serious injury to a member of the public, and other investigations of certain conduct of members of CPD, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Interviews complainants, witnesses, and CPD members to gather facts to investigate incidents involving possible misconduct by CPD members.
• Conducts canvasses at the location of the incident to locate witnesses, obtain relevant information and evidence.

• Obtains and analyzes reports related to the incident, including medical reports and reports related to forensic and scientific analysis.
• Maintains working knowledge of CPD rules, policies, and directives.
• Prepares reports of investigative activities conducted to document the investigative process.
• Maintains documentation and information in agency databases to accurately document all investigative steps and report on investigative status.
• Assists Major Case Specialists in conducting complex investigations, as required.

• Collaborates with attorneys in drafting of disciplinary charges.
• Obtains and reviews court documents in related civil and criminal matters to identify relevant information and statements made by CPD members and witnesses, as well as monitors progress of court proceedings.
• Consults and collaborates with attorneys as needed to identify, assess, and address legal issues and develop investigative strategy.
• Collaborates with attorneys to prepare and present at police disciplinary arbitrations, and Police Board hearings, including the assessment and development of litigation strategy, as well as testify in court, arbitration hearings and before the Police Board, as needed.
• Consults with attorneys to review disciplinary charges prior to being presented to CPD members to ensure accuracy and consistency with investigatory findings.

• Maintains contact with CPD detectives to stay apprised of investigative developments in related criminal investigations.
• Identifies and reports on opportunities for pattern or practice investigations; conducts pattern or practice investigations at direction of management.
• Testifies in court, arbitration hearings and before the Police Board as needed.
• Collaborates with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and the U. S. Attorney's Office to prepare cases for criminal proceedings, as needed.
• Identifies areas of improvement to police CPD tactics and training based on information obtained through investigations.

• Monitors cases as they proceed through the disciplinary system to ensure timely completion.
• Prepares reports of investigation based on analysis of the evidence and makes preliminary recommendations regarding appropriate disciplinary action or other intervention that is appropriate based on the investigatory findings.

NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be exhaustive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.

Location: COPA

1615 W. Chicago Ave, 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60622

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm (availability to take an 11:00am to 7:00pm shift)

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, PLUS two (2) years of experience conducting civil, criminal or factual investigations that involve gathering, analyzing and evaluating evidence; conducting in-depth research, analysis and report writing; and conducting interviews with witnesses; OR graduation from an accredited law school; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience, provided the minimum degree requirement is met.

• A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required

• Availability to work any duty watch is required

Note: Per City of Chicago Municipal Ordinance #2-78-120, no investigator employed by the COPA Office shall be a current or former sworn member of the Chicago Police Department within the last five years.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to successfully pass a skills assessment test and complete an interview, which will include a written exercise. Test results will be sent out by the Department of Human Resources after test results have been compiled and analyzed. Applicants who receive a passing score on the test will be selected to interview. The interviewed candidate(s) receiving a passing score on the test and possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral interview and written exercise, will be selected for hire.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• 2+ years of experience investigating, prosecuting, or defending criminal cases
• Previous work experience in a law enforcement agency with a large urban jurisdiction or for a federal agency
• Previous experience employed on a full-time basis by a local, state, or federal government oversight agency
• Post-graduate degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Social Science, Government or Law
• Ability to speak and write in a language other than English

Residency Requirement: All employees of the City must be actual residents of the City as outlined in 2-152-050 of the City Chicago Municipal Code. Proof of residency will be required.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago Department of Human Resources

Lori Lightfoot, Mayor Christopher Owen, Commissioner

Please note, all positions with the City of Chicago close promptly at 11:59 pm C.S.T. Applications for this position will be accepted from December 16, 2022, until 11:59 pm CST on January 14, 2023. No exceptions will be made.