Civilian Investigator (Part-Time)

City of Westminster; Westminster (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Westminster Police Department is seeking a Part-Time Civilian Investigator to support investigative efforts and advance public safety for the Westminster community.

Under general direction, conducts investigations on assigned cases, collects and preserves evidence, evaluates facts, and presents case evidence in court. Familiar with search warrants, reports, and coordination with District Attorney as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Specialized training in conducting investigations.
• Successful completion of background investigation and pre-employment medical exam, including drug screen.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate allegations and determine if investigation is warranted; open investigations or refer to appropriate agencies.
• Identify, locate and interview complainants, suspects, and witnesses to obtain details and leads.
• Access and retrieve information from local, State and Federal databases; compile case files.

Skills

Interviewing

Investigations

Evidence collection

Court testimony

Report writing

Analytical thinking

Communication

Case analysis

Education

High school diploma or GED

Specialized training in investigations

Job description

The City of Westminster Police Department is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated professional to join our team as a Part-Time Civilian Investigator, supporting investigative efforts and helping advance our commitment to public safety and service to the Westminster community.

Under general direction, serves as a part-time Civilian Investigator on assigned cases including those involving criminal incidents or activities, missing persons, criminal registrants, traffic incidents or activities, and/or internal departmental investigations; collects and preserves evidence; evaluates case facts; prepares and presents case evidence in court; and performs other duties as required.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Class Characteristics

Serves as primary investigator of crimes involving fraud, embezzlement, theft of proprietary information, unlawful access or tampering with computer systems, financial elder abuse, credit cards, NSF and account closed checks, forgery, false impersonations, and other crimes as assigned; and assists other investigators and detectives and outside agencies as needed.

• Evaluates allegations and determines if a criminal investigation is warranted; and opens investigations or refers complainants to appropriate agencies.
• Identifies, locates and interviews complainants, suspects and witnesses to obtain details, information admissions and additional leads.
• Utilizes computer systems to access and retrieve information from local, State and Federal computer databases; evaluates information retrieved and takes appropriate action; and assembles printouts into case files for future reference.
• Analyzes financial documents and related records to establish loss and method of operation of suspects; and prepares charts, diagrams and other visual aids to demonstrate method of operation and link suspects, victims and financial institutions.
• Prepares and serves search warrants; seizes and books evidence into property; and prepares and files search warrant returns.
• Works with sworn personnel to initiate the arrest of suspects when probable cause is present; and signs criminal complaints and sworn declarations necessary for the issuance of arrest warrants or to support an arrest made pursuant to probable cause.
• Interviews and interrogates persons to elicit admissions and confessions from suspects and to obtain relevant information from victims, witnesses and others.
• Prepares reports, complaints, declarations and other necessary documents relating to assigned investigations; prepares copies for the District Attorney for filing purposes as necessary; and takes complaint packages to the District Attorney and explains case to filing Deputy District Attorney.
• Testifies in court regarding personal observations and conduct of investigation; and testifies on behalf of victims and witnesses at preliminary hearings.
• Reviews written referrals from Adult Protective Services; determines action to be taken to safeguard elders at risk of abuse; and interviews victims and intercedes as necessary to protect the interests of elders.
• Assists in the Department’s recruitment process by conducting background investigations.
• Stays abreast of current case law and new investigation and prosecution techniques.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

• The principles of criminal and civil law as necessary to evaluate complaints and determine if allegation is civil or criminal in nature; court and trial procedures; and pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes, ordinance and regulations.
• Principles of banking procedures.
• Principles of interviewing and interrogation; and operational characteristics, services and activities of an investigative program.
• Research techniques, methods and procedures; and principles and procedures of record keeping and report preparation.
• Human behavior theories and specialized social services.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computer equipment and software.
• Safe driving practices.

Ability to

• Learn fraudulent practices and schemes that are commonly perpetrated.
• Learn the operating characteristics and procedures of local, State and Federal computer systems and databases necessary to access and retrieve essential information.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the Police Department and outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; and interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Interview and interrogate persons to elicit admissions and confessions from suspects, and to obtain relevant facts and information from victims, witnesses and others.
• Apply appropriate statutes in determining probable cause for search warrants, seizure of evidence, and arrest of suspects.
• Examine accounting books, ledgers and financial statements to obtain essential information for the demonstration of method of operation and amount of losses; and trace assets and obtain documentary evidence linking suspects and victims with particular financial transactions.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Prepare detailed and comprehensive reports; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and perform basic math.
• Establish, foster and maintain positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience

Graduation from high school or completion of a GED. Specialized training in conducting investigations.

Successful completion of Police Department background investigation and a pre-employment medical examination, including drug screen.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.

Physical Demands

Office and field setting. Requires travel to traffic collisions and other non-emergency situations. Some exposure to the outdoors and inclement weather conditions.

Environmental Elements

Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office setting; to travel to various locations to respond to non-emergency situations; perform traffic control functions; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; and ability to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Ability to walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, twist, climb and lift up to 35 pounds.