Director of Investigations

All positions with the City of Chicago close promptly at 11:59 pm CDT.  Applications for this position will be accepted from October 12, 2023, until 11:59 pm CDT on October 27, 2023.  No exceptions will be made.

WORKING WITH THE CIVILIAN OFFICE OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY (COPA)

The mission of COPA is to:

• provide a just and efficient means to fairly and timely conduct investigations within our jurisdiction;
• determine whether allegations of police misconduct are well-founded;
• identify and address patterns of police misconduct; and
• make policy recommendations to improve the Chicago Police Department, thereby reducing incident of police misconduct.

ROLE SUMMARY

Under general direction, directs an assigned investigative unit and/or investigative function of COPA, and performs related duties as required.

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

Days:                Monday - Friday

Hours:               9:00am to 5:00pm (with on-call rotation availability)

Salary:              $109,332

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Directs investigations of complaints involving Chicago Police Department (CPD) members.
• Manages the activities of intake investigative teams, investigative process, and office personnel by communicating instructions to unit supervisors.
• Assigns complaints to investigative staff; monitors the activity and review of selective case files and investigative reports to ensure objectivity and thoroughness.
• Ensures that COPA investigators respond immediately on a 24-hour basis to conduct preliminary investigations in cases of shootings, domestic violence, and excessive force complaints.
• Meets with supervisory staff and investigators to monitor the progress of investigations and ensure their timely completion.
• Reviews case 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.
• Reviews Chain of Command non-occurrence reports and makes recommendations regarding the appropriate course(s) of action.
• Recommends appropriate disciplinary action against violators of CPD rules and regulations.
• Prepares management reports on the unit activities.
• Maintains open and effective communication with CPD units, outside law enforcement agencies, Illinois State Police, and Corporation Counsel to facilitate COPA investigations and remain abreast of current investigative practices and appropriate disciplinary actions.
• 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 investigative team members pursuant to COPA’s performance evaluation system.
• Performs special research or specialized activities at the request of the Chief Administrator, as required.

The list of essential duties is not intended to be exhaustive; there may be other duties that are essential. 

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 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; or an equivalent combination of training and experience provided the minimum degree requirement is met.

“Accredited” means any nationally or regionally accredited college, university, or law school where the applicant is enrolled in or has completed an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Juris Doctorate degree program.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required.
• Availability to work any duty watch is required.

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

ABOUT YOU

COPA is seeking candidates with a strong focus on the following values:

• Integrity: Maintaining a commitment to honesty, personal responsibility, excellence, and utmost professionalism in the work performed by COPA and in all internal and external interactions.  This includes a commitment to identifying and dismantling discriminatory systems and culture within COPA, the Chicago Police Department, and the community. 
• Transparency: Promoting the sharing of information about the work of COPA internally and externally in a manner not in conflict with City and COPA policy, such that the public trust in the mission of COPA is established and maintained.  This includes a commitment to cultivating a respectful work environment and team building to ensure effective communication that furthers common goals. 
• Independence: Conducting the business of COPA in a manner that is objective and free from political or other outside influences, such that the public trust in the mission and work of COPA is established and maintained.  This includes a commitment to informed decision making and continual efforts to improves processes and systems to further the mission of COPA. 
• Timeliness: Conducting the business of COPA in a manner that promotes timely and fair resolution to all matters. 

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 will be selected.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Previous experience in the investigation, prosecution, or analysis of death investigations.
• Previous experience in and knowledge of the tenants of the 4^th Amendment.
• Direct experience investigating police misconduct, analyzing probable cause & drafting and/or reviewing investigative reports of findings.
• Previous experience managing and triaging voluminous caseload and personnel.

All references to political sponsorship or recommendations must be omitted from all application materials submitted for City employment.

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

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.

About the Company:
Civilian Office of Police Accountability

Industry:
Government and Military

Salary : $109,332