TRANSIT POLICE SERGEANT (INTERNAL AFFAIRS)

LA Metro; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LA Metro’s Office of the Inspector General seeks an armed sworn investigator to conduct internal affairs investigations and supervise staff across shifts. The role collaborates with sworn and non-sworn personnel to uphold the public safety mission, enforce laws, and engage with the community.

You will report to the Inspector General via the Lieutenant – OIG (or designee) and may assist with training programs based on departmental needs, contributing to policy development and mission enforcement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Public Administration, or related field.
• Two years of relevant peace officer experience.
• Must possess a valid Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Intermediate Certificate and remain firearm qualified.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver License and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Must pass enhanced background investigation, psychological evaluation, and medical examination.
• Positions are safety-sensitive and subject to drug and alcohol testing under FTA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs and reviews staff and activities during an assigned shift or in an assigned function.
• Assists in developing goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
• Implements and enforces ordinances, rules and regulations to meet departmental goals.
• Oversees preliminary investigations of crimes and coordinates with other agencies.
• Performs duties relating to law enforcement, investigations, patrol, and community information.
• Presents sworn testimony in court and prepares reports and correspondence.

Skills

Training and motivating personnel

Policy interpretation

Analytical thinking

Oral and written communication

Evaluating performance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology/Public Administration

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

This position will be assigned to the Office of the Inspector General and focuses on investigating internal affairs matters. Reporting to the Inspector General via the Lieutenant – OIG (or designee), it collaborates with sworn and non-sworn employees to uphold the public safety mission of Los Angeles Metro, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) by enforcing laws and engaging with the community. Responsibilities include but are not limited to investigative duties, directing and providing technical assistance to staff. ?Additionally, the position may involve coordinating or assisting with training programs based on departmental needs. This is an armed, sworn classification.

Generic

• Plans, directs and reviews staff and activities during an assigned shift or in an assigned function
• Assists in developing goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards
• Implements and enforces ordinances, rules and regulations to meet and further departmental goals
• Oversees and assists subordinates in the completion of preliminary investigations of crimes committed
• Works closely with other local, state and federal agencies
• Performs duties and responsibilities consistent with the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
• Communicates and interprets policies and procedures to subordinates
• Monitors the training and professional development of assigned staff
• Ensures that subordinates respond to calls for service
• Performs varied police duties relating to the enforcement of law, investigation and prevention of crime, patrol, traffic control and community information
• Presents sworn testimony in court
• Provides assistance to Metro staff and Department of Public Safety staff
• Prepares and reviews a variety of reports, records, correspondence and other written materials
• Represents the agency in meetings with other law enforcement agencies, professional, business and community organizations and the public
• Handles patron inquiries and community complaints
• Provides training to newly hired Officers
• Conducts preliminary and follow up investigations
• Interviews witnesses and suspects to obtain information for reports and investigations
• Monitors developments related to community public safety procedures, techniques and equipment; recommends policy, procedural and equipment improvements

Recruiting

• Assists in recruitment, testing, hiring, and training of assigned personnel
• Develops recruitment strategies and collaborates with other departments involved in the hiring process to plan and organize recruitments in the Police Department
• Oversees recruiting outreach efforts to expand and attract a diverse pool of Police Department applicants
• Provides guidance and support to new officers during the onboarding process

Training

• Plans, develops and facilitates training programs in accordance with Metro’s strategic goals and all applicable rules and regulations
• Provides classroom training to new officers to ensure they are adequately trained and prepared for their roles
• Delivers refresher and compliance training to existing officers
• Assesses and tracks the progress of trainees, and provides feedback to enhance performance and development

May be required to perform other related job duties

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice,Criminology,PublicAdministrationor a related field

Experience

• Two years of relevant experience performing peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Intermediate Certificate
• Must remain firearm qualified
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver License and have a satisfactory driving record
• Must pass enhanced background investigation, psychological evaluation, and medical examination
• Positions in this job classification are considered safety-sensitive and subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing, under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are notintended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience conducting simple and complex investigations and assisting internal affairs or related unit with audits and studies related to law enforcement and safety
• Experience handling investigations for complaints and allegations related to criminal behavior, policy violations, or other forms of misconduct
• Experience conducting witness and subject interviews, collecting evidence for investigations, and writing thorough, accurate reports with correct grammar and facts
• Experience inputting data into law enforcement and/or Office of the Inspector General (OIG) case management systems
• Experience working with civilian oversight commissions

Knowledge of

• Principles, practices, techniques and equipment for law enforcement services and activities
• Supervisory principles and practices
• Applicable local, State and Federal laws, codes, ordinances and regulations and case law
• Rules of evidence
• Laws of arrest and the elements of a crime
• Techniques in training, instructing and evaluating subordinate work performance
• Recruiting theories, principles and practices
• Principles, techniques and methods used in the police background investigation process
• Research and report preparation methods
• Theories, principles, and practices of training program development

Skill in

• Training and motivating personnel
• Implementing and interpreting policies, procedures, goals, objectives and work standards
• Analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives and recommending solutions
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Writing clear and concise reports
• Planning and facilitating training sessions

Ability to

• Understand and comply with complex policies and procedures
• Interact effectively and courteously with employees and the public
• Assist in directing emergency operations efficiently and effectively
• Prepare clear and effective written correspondence, reports, policies and other written materials
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Handle firearms in a safe and proper manner
• Exercise independent judgment within procedural and legal guidelines

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority when classified as an Intermittent, Emergency, Annuitant, or Temporary employee, is assigned to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or Board Clerk's Office, and/or reporting directly to the LACMTA Board of Directors
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen
• High noise environment
• Exposure to hostile and armed criminal suspects
• Exposure to physical and verbal abuse by clients/customers and/or general public
• Exposure to outdoor weather including extreme heat, cold, dampness and/or humidity
• Work irregular hours, split shifts, weekends, holidays, or 24-hour-a-day on-call assignments
• Local travel

Physical Effort Required

• Standing
• Walking
• Lifting or carrying
• Crawling, crouching, squatting, stooping and/or kneeling
• Climbing (e.g., ladders, scaffolds, stairs, poles, into vehicles, etc.)
• Pushing and/or pulling
• Communicating through speech in the English language required