CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH SPECIALIST TRAINEE

6C20

PAY RANGE: EP 11*

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is entry-level criminal investigative research support work collecting, entering, retrieving, and researching comprehensive crime information and providing limited investigative assistance to Philadelphia Police Department sworn personnel and any law enforcement personnel from other local, state, or federal agencies. An employee in this class works on an assigned shift and participates in an on the job training program that includes training on various computerized databases and instruction about departmental policies and procedures. The training program increases in difficulty and scope once an employee gains adequate knowledge of basic database systems. Employees will participate in limited crime data retrieval research and other tasks designed to familiarize them with the operations of the department. Work expands in complexity and scope as the trainee gains knowledge and experience. Work is performed under the supervision of a technical superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS:

1. The employees must perform entry-level criminal investigative research support work collecting, entering, retrieving, and researching comprehensive crime information and providing limited investigative assistance to sworn personnel.

The positions must be located in the Philadelphia Police Department’s Crime Information Center (PCIC).

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Learns the structure, functions, fundamental principles and organizational objectives of the Philadelphia Crime Information Center and Philadelphia City government; learns relevant provisions of local, state and federal laws and regulations as they pertain to the operation of the crime center; reads texts, manuals, instructions, regulations and statements of agency procedure; receives certifications and on-the-job training designed to develop proficiency in the use of various electronic databases.

Receives training and instruction on entering and retrieving data from numerous database systems and software to access, enter, and retrieve crime data while maintaining confidentiality of information from local, state, and national repositories; learns problem solving techniques and assists law enforcement personnel by searching through many different database sources to find information that is relevant to an investigation; receives training to learn laws and regulations applicable to entering, processing, and maintaining records and information on various computerized databases and repositories; performs repetitive tasks accurately, sometimes under tight deadlines.

Provides assistance with crime data retrieval research; learns the processes for reviewing reports of law enforcement activities and verifying the accuracy of information in the reports and the reliability of the source; learns when to make corrections and changes to the information; learns the departmental procedures for disseminating reports and crime information to the appropriate local, state and national authorities in order to assist in furthering police investigations.

Under close supervision, performs technical support work utilizing computerized law enforcement database systems and software to access, enter, and retrieve crime data while maintaining confidentiality of information; refers to policies and guidelines, including national, state, or local crime information system manuals.

Learns the daily functions and procedures of a twenty-four hour, seven day a week information support center responsible for responding to numerous requests sent by phone, electronic systems, fax and emails; learns how police security application systems function in order to provide password and limited technical assistance on various computerized applications pertaining to crime data; learns how to categorize and file information according to unit procedures and assists with filing.

Performs entry-level quality control work under supervision of a technical superior accepting and proofing police reports filed, reviewing reports as they arrive for completion and accuracy; returns report to filing officer if any information appears missing or incorrect and follows up to ensure prompt correction.

Performs entry-level validation work under supervision of a technical superior validating reports as mandated by National Crime Information Center (NCIC), auditing records on a monthly basis to determine if information on wanted/missing persons, stolen automobiles, guns, license plates, boats, securities and other items is current and accurate; assists in the auditing of the records of department units and external law enforcement agencies for compliance with state and federal laws, regulations and mandates.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· data entry and retrieval principles and practices

· functions and organization of local, state and federal government entities

· customer service principles and practices

· fundamental principles of the American criminal justice system and law enforcement agencies

· uses and functions of public and private databases and information repositories

SKILL IN:

· using computer systems and software including Microsoft Office tools and applications

· using internet navigation

· written and oral communication

ABILITY TO:

· identify and retrieve data

· evaluate data

· organize and prioritize multiple tasks

· establish and maintain effective working relationships

· learn federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding the use of criminal justice information, database systems, and repositories

· learn daily functions and operations of the Philadelphia Crime Information Center and Philadelphia City government

· learn the standards and procedures for entry and retrieval of information from various database resources specific to PCIC and NCIC

· read and understand technical or other complex materials required for the job

· learn appropriate terminology, codes, and abbreviations used in the crime center

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/19.)

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Information Science and Technology, Management Information Systems or a related area.

NOTE: Employees with permanent Civil Service Status in the Police Communications Dispatcher (6J32) class may substitute experience for the education required on a year for year basis.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of certifications in the use of the Philadelphia Crime Information Center database, the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) database, and the National Crime Information Center database within one year of appointment and during tenure of employment.

Must be able to pass, prior to appointment, a local, state and national criminal background check including a fingerprint-based check as required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Policy.

Class Established: CSC - 5/08; Ad. Board - 6/08

Spec. Revisions: CSC – 7/11; Ad Board – 9/11

Spec. Revisions: CSC – 12/11; Ad Board – 1/12

Spec. Revisions: CSC – 7/17; Ad Board – 8/17

Latest Spec. Revision: CSC – 8/19; Ad Board – 9/19