DIRECTOR OF INVESTIGATIONS - COPA

Illinois Defense Counsel; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) seeks a Director of Investigations in Chicago to lead an investigative unit within the Policy, Research, and Analysis Division. You will oversee pattern and practice investigations, coordinate with intake teams, and supervise investigators to ensure rigorous evidence collection and objective reporting.

Your role includes guiding data-driven analyses, preparing management briefings, and coordinating with external agencies to advance COPA’s

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of investigations experience with evidence gathering and analysis.
• Three+ years in a supervisory role related to investigations.
• Experience conducting civil, criminal, or factual investigations with reporting.

Responsibilities

• Direct investigations into patterns of complaints against Chicago Police Department Officers.
• Coordinate intake with other teams, manage investigation plans, supervise staff.
• Assign roles in pattern or practice teams; monitor files for objectivity and thoroughness.
• Meet with staff to track progress, data management and reporting tasks.
• Review investigative files to ensure proper steps and consistent findings.
• Manage communications with citywide stakeholders and external agencies.
• Prepare management reports on unit activities and outcomes.
• Engage with agencies to coordinate COPA investigations and best practices.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Interviewing witnesses

Data analysis

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Description

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Director of Investigations

Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA)

Policy, Research, and Analysis Division

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $119,472

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CST on 11/05/2026

Under general direction, directs an assigned investigative unit and/or investigative function of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and performs related duties as required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Directs investigations into patterns of complaints against Chicago Police Department Police Officers
• Coordinates with intake and other investigative teams, manages investigation plans, supervises unit personnel, and communicates instructions to investigative and analytics staff
• Assigns roles in pattern or practice investigation teams; monitors the activity and review of selective case files and investigative reports to ensure objectivity and thoroughness
• Meets with unit staff and investigators to monitor the progress of investigations, data management, analysis, and reporting tasks, and ensures timely completion of work
• Reviews analysis and investigation files upon completion of preliminary investigation and/or prior to the closing of cases to ensure that all appropriate investigatory steps have been taken and that the investigatory findings are consistent with the evidence gathered
• Manages communications, collaborations, and relationships with citywide stakeholders
• Directs the completion of data requests, data summaries, and reoccurring data reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Guides the development of recommendations for changes to relevant Chicago Police Department policies, practices, collective bargaining agreements, programs, and training
• Engages internally with agency staff to understand their policy, data, and research needs, and coordinate responsive projects and actions
• Prepares management reports on the unit activities
• Maintains open and effective communication with police units, outside law enforcement agencies, outside police oversight bodies, Illinois State Police, and Corporation Counsel to facilitate COPA investigations and remain abreast of current investigative practices
• Meets with Cook County State 's Attorney's Office, FBI , U.S. Attorney, and other prosecutorial agencies, as appropriate, for purposes of referring matters for criminal prosecution
• Evaluates team members pursuant to COPA's performance evaluation system
• Reviews and approves investigative reports, as needed
• Ability to participate in and support the on-call rotation as needed.
• Performs special research or specialized activities at the request of the Chief Administrator, as required

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location:

COPA

Address:

1615 W Chicago Avenue

Days:

Monday - Friday

Hours:

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, plus seven (7) 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, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree, plus six (6) 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, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR

Graduation from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, plus four (4) 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, of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required

Availability to work any duty watch is required

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Direct experience investigating police misconduct, analyzing probable cause & drafting and/or reviewing investigative reports of findings
• Direct experience collecting, analyzing, and drafting reports synthesizing large amounts of data
• Understanding of the research process, including research designs, analytical approaches, addressing data quality and limitations, research integrity, and reporting standards
• Familiarity with consent decrees, including their origins, implementation processes, and legal obligations
• Previous experience managing and triaging a voluminous case load and personnel

NOTE: Candidates must pass a background investigation, drug screen, and other pre- employment procedures as determined by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

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 complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview will be

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders.

For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.

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, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor