6C21

PAY RANGE: EP 17**

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH SPECIALIST

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is full performance level criminal investigative research support work collecting, entering, retrieving, researching, and disseminating comprehensive crime information and providing 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 researching criminal data records and using computerized databases to assist in criminal investigations. Work includes validating police reports and records for completeness and accuracy, auditing external law enforcement agencies for compliance with state and federal mandates, and training lower level employees. A significant aspect of the work includes communications with outside agencies at the local, state and national levels. Work is performed under the supervision of a technical superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS:

1. The employees must perform full performance level criminal investigative research support work collecting, entering, retrieving, researching, analyzing, and disseminating comprehensive crime information and providing investigative assistance to sworn personnel.

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

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Receives, collects, enters, retrieves, researches, and disseminates crime information at the full performance level for a twenty-four hour, seven day a week, rotating shift investigative support center which is responsible for responding to law enforcement requests sent by phone, electronic systems, fax and email; provides technical and criminal data investigatory assistance to Philadelphia, state and federal law enforcement personnel and agencies.

Under minimal supervision, utilizes computerized law enforcement and other public and private database systems and software to access, enter, and retrieve crime data while maintaining confidentiality of information; performs repetitive tasks accurately, sometimes under tight deadlines.

Enters confidential criminal history information generated from arrest reports, booking sheets, citations, and other official documents into numerous database systems, in accordance with appropriate laws and federal, state and local guidelines with a high degree of accuracy; refers to policies and guidelines, including national, state, or local crime information system manuals.

Conducts crime data retrieval research; utilizes problem-solving techniques to identify and locate information that is relevant to an investigation; disseminates crime information to the appropriate local, state and national authorities.

Audits reports received for completeness and accuracy, validates records sent monthly from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to ensure data is current; audits the records of department units and outside law enforcement agencies for compliance with state and federal laws, regulations and mandates, trains law enforcement personnel in using the resources of the Philadelphia Crime Information Center (PCIC).

Performs quality control on incoming reports, 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 follow-up to ensure prompt correction.

Perform validation of reports as mandated by National Crime Information Center, 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.

Trains lower level employees, other Police Department personnel, and outside law enforcement personnel to meet state and federal requirements for certification and recertification in the use of Philadelphia Crime Information Center and National Crime Information Center systems; uses police security application systems to assist law enforcement personnel experiencing technical problems on various computerized applications pertaining to crime data and to verify/reset passwords if necessary in police systems; provides assistance in emergency response in the event of local or state systems failure.

Files electronic and hard copies of information on a daily and continual basis; at the end of each month, compiles all data into one monthly folder.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· data entry and retrieval principles, practices and methods

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

· customer service principles and practices

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

· federal, state, and local standards and guidelines regarding the use of criminal database systems and repositories

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

· standards and procedures to enter and retrieve data from a number of database resources specific to PCIC and NCIC

· terminology, codes and abbreviations used in PCIC functions

SKILL IN:

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

· internet navigation

· using electronic database systems

· written and oral communication

· identifying and retrieving data

ABILITY TO:

· identify and retrieve complex crime information

· evaluate complex information from multiple sources and determine the importance and limitations of each piece of information

· organize and prioritize multiple tasks

· prepare reports

· work independently on tasks and assignments

· establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees, outside agencies and the public

· use the standards and procedures to enter and retrieve data from a number of database resources specific to NCIC and PCIC

· utilize alternative methods or solutions to solve problems

· guide and direct lower level employees

· evaluate, monitor and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies, standards and procedures

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 09/19.)

Option 1:

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.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years of entry-level criminal investigative research support experience as a Criminal Investigative Research Specialist Trainee in the Philadelphia Crime Information Center.

Option 2:

EDUCATION:

Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Four years of experience in a law enforcement emergency communications or operations center.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years of entry-level criminal investigative research support experience as a Criminal Investigative Research Specialist Trainee in the Philadelphia Crime Information Center.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience.

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 prior to and during tenure of employment in this class.

Class Established:

CSC - 5/08; Ad. Board - 6/08

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