Investigator - Sheriff's Office

Job Summary:  This position may be responsible for performing investigative work on crimes committed in Rockdale County; interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects, surveillance, and documenting case records.   This position may assist his/her supervisor with law enforcement or investigative duties; and perform other work as required or assigned.  Positions at this level may perform diverse duties of an advanced and specialized nature.

Pay Grade: 24                                                                                                              FLSA: Non-Exempt     

Major Duties: 

• Respond to the crime scene and assume a leadership role in directing necessary actions.
• Locates and interviews witnesses and victims. 
• Interrogates or questions suspects.
• Recognizes and identifies evidence; gathers information from incident reports and/or crime scenes; obtains statements, and documents related to factual evidence; collects and transports evidence to crime laboratory.
• Examines court, law enforcement, public, and governmental records needed for investigation.
• Gathers, analyzes, and preserves evidence concerning crimes; keeps records and prepares reports related to investigative work.
• Prepares case files for criminal prosecution; testifies in court.
• Confers with informants to get information on activities going on within the county.
• Conducts background investigations and conducts research.
• Employees in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by proper authority.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Knowledge of federal, state, and county laws and Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of interrogation and crime scene procedures.
• Knowledge of principles of identification, preservation, and presentation of evidence.
• Knowledge of legal procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques, including effective methods of obtaining information from reluctant witnesses.
• Skill in operating modern office equipment.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply provisions of criminal law.
• Ability to obtain information and evidence by observation, record examination, and interviews.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate the statements of witnesses or suspected violators.
• Ability to secure and present evidence in oral and written forms.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately.
• Ability to think and act quickly and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to prepare correspondence and reports.
• Ability to meet standards of physical endurance and agility.
• Must have the capability to hear, speak, and see to communicate with the general public. 
• Must have the strength and ability to apprehend, subdue, and restrain criminal offenders. 
• Subject to 24-hour call back for emergencies.

Supervisory Controls: The appropriate bureau commander or his/her designee assigns work in terms of Sheriff’s Office goals and objectives. 

Guidelines:  Guidelines include applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures related to public safety communications and law enforcement standards.   These guidelines require sound judgment and interpretation in application.  

Personal Contacts: Contacts are typically with co-workers, business leaders, educators, attorneys, representatives of the judicial system, federal state, and local law enforcement officers, inmates, and the general public.

Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, resolve problems, influence/motivate persons, justify/settle matters, coordinate work efforts, and provide services.

Physical Demands:  Work may be sedentary in the office environment and/or fieldwork may subject the incumbent to extended periods of physical and mental exertion under highly stressful conditions.  The person must be able to remain calm and think logically when defending himself/herself from imminent danger, apprehending suspects of crimes, etc.   The person must be able to load, unload, aim, and operate firearms.  The individual must have correctable hearing, visual, and speaking abilities to perform assigned duties.  The person must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods; walk, run, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch; make precise and coordinated finger, hand, and limb movements; maintain uniform, controlled hand-arm posture or movement; push, pull or drag an adult (averaging 5'6", 160 pounds); lift and carry boxes of evidence (average 50 pounds); use force to restrain/subdue others; work efficiently for long periods of time.

Work Environment:  Duties are performed in an office environment, at the scene of an incident, or in an assigned area.  

Supervisory and Management Responsibility:  None.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• High school diploma or equivalent.  
• Baccalaureate degree in criminology, criminal justice, political science, public administration, or related field preferred.  
• Must have a valid State of Georgia Driver’s license.
• Must be certified as a Peace Officer under regulations of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Council.  
• Equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• State of Georgia Post Certification

Position Content:  This position classification is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.  While it is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.