Director of Investigations

Job Description

The Director of Investigations for the Citizen Police Oversight Commission is a critical role within CPOC’s leadership team. The Director of Investigations leads the Investigations Division which is responsible for investigating specific allegations of misconduct by Philadelphia Police officers, monitoring ongoing investigations at PPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau, responding in real time to police shootings, and advising CPOC’s leadership on serious uses of force by PPD officers. The role requires knowledge of best practices from police oversight agencies around the country and the Director’s own extensive experience and expertise with investigations. This position requires a dynamic and motivating leader who can propel a team of investigators through the challenges of conducting frontline oversight of police through investigations. The Director will supervise a team of investigators in carrying out the Division’s tasks while also advocating for additional investigative power. The Investigations Division will grow considerably as CPOC operations expand over time, as it is the office’s intention to initiate independent investigations into individual instances of misconduct. The goal of such investigations is the accurate, objective, and timely gathering and analysis of facts to determine whether the allegation misconduct occurred. The Director of Investigations may also undertake large-scale investigative projects, such as systemic patterns related to departmental practices. Because the position is responsible for being on-call to respond to police shootings, and because many interviews and other investigative activities will occur outside typical business hours, the Director of Investigations must be willing and able to work evenings and weekends as required. The Director of Investigations is expected to appear before the media and provide information and analysis at the direction of the Executive Director.

Investigations may overlap with projects completed by other divisions, and cross-division cooperation will be essential to CPOC operations. The Director of Investigations must therefore be knowledgeable and competent in all CPOC operations. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Essential Functions

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

•In collaboration with CPOC executive staff, develop and implement standard operating procedures for the Investigations Division using established oversight practices and investigative expertise.

•Responsible for ensuring that the Investigations Division meets all reporting requirements listed in the authorizing legislation.

•Direct and conduct complex and high-level investigations relating to policing, police operations, misconduct incidents, and other related topics. 

•Regularly report to CPOC Executive Director regarding investigations, development of division benchmarks, and all investigative operations.

•Manage a team of investigators as the Investigations Division grows; the size of the Investigations Division may grow to potentially dozens of investigators as agency operations expand.

•Develop and execute investigator training program to ensure all investigators receive proper training on CPOC procedures and PPD procedures.

•Review investigations, case files, reports, and other work products upon completion to ensure that all appropriate steps have been taken and the findings match the evidence and information presented.

•Work with CPOC executive team to help develop and implement complaint intake processes; sensitively conduct complaint intake and related contacts with complainants/residents as needed.

•Represent CPOC’s interests and positions before PPD leadership, labor officials, and arbitration panels.

•Develop, assign, and manage high-level investigative projects through communication with other CPOC staff about current work, communication with sources at the Philadelphia Police Department, and other sources.

•Act as project lead for critical incident reviews of uses of force, large-scale events, and other matters as directed by Executive Director; delegate tasks as needed.

•Must be able to efficiently and effectively conduct all aspects of police misconduct investigations as the investigation program begins, including:

• Conduct interviews of complainants and civilian witnesses about police incidents that are the subject of civilian complaints against police, and other matters; conduct criminal investigations as need arises. 
• 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; interview police personnel related to other administrative matters and to establish facts for investigative projects.
• 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.
• Diligently track all investigative work using a case management system; maintain a thorough and organized record of investigative actions for each investigation and investigative project.
• Identify and report on policy and tactics issues and potential large-scale policy projects as they arise in investigative work. 
• Maintain a high degree of knowledge of PPD policies, rules, and practices.
• 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.
• Mentor and train non-investigative CPOC staff on investigative techniques and practices, interviewing techniques, case management, and law enforcement procedures as needed.
• Collaborate across CPOC units to assist with projects as they are executed by other staff.
• Coordinate closely with the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director to carry out the functions of the Commission.
• Using extensive knowledge of Philadelphia Police Department policies, procedures, and disciplinary code, adjudicate discipline cases and make disciplinary recommendations as a rotating member of the PPD Police Board of Inquiry.
• Provide guidance to the CPOC 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.
• Receive training on PPD procedures, policies, and discipline code.
• Assist in the preparation of an annual report setting out the Commission’s accomplishments, reports, and activities.
• Appear before the media to provide information and analysis at the direction of the Executive Director.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the 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 and edit investigative materials produced by a team of investigators to ensure quality, clarity, and thoroughness.

•Thorough understanding of and experience with the complex nature of community-police relations.

•Ability to manage a team of individuals and coach them through complex investigations and projects.

•Ability to manage an investigation from start to finish with focus, organization, persistence, and flexibility; ability to effectively conduct a caseload of multiple investigations concurrently.

•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.

•Deep knowledgeable of legal issues surrounding policing and police department procedures, and ability to train others on established and emergent legal issues, including: constitutional limitations on policing, PPD directives, PPD’s disciplinary process, collective bargaining procedures, and labor union rights.

•Willingness to be exposed to disturbing media, including body-worn camera footage, crime scene photographs, and autopsy photographs.

•Experience engaging members of the media.

•Experience explaining policing issues to members of the public.

•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. 

Qualifications

•Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in criminal justice or other relevant field required, or any combination of education and experience deemed appropriate by the appointing authority.

•Law degree or other graduate level degree preferred.

•At least 10 years of relevant experience in investigative work required, experience as law enforcement or within civilian oversight preferred.

•At least 10 years of managerial experience.

•At least 10 years of experience with and exposure to criminal justice procedures, investigative techniques, police-community relations, police procedures generally and procedures specific to the Philadelphia Police Department.

•Demonstrated experience with developing operating procedures and building a team or unit from the ground up.

•Experience working with sensitive and confidential information.

•Knowledge of Philadelphia and communities of Philadelphia.

Additional Information

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

Salary Range: $105,000 - $120,000

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 8 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.

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