LIEUTENANT OF COUNTY DETECTIVES

Code: 02295 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, serves as a second-line supervisor who oversees activities of two or more squads of county detectives and/or investigators, plans and directs the work of investigatory squads engaged in criminal investigations, and the apprehension of suspected criminals; does related work as required.

<b> DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: </b>

Positions in this class typically:

Recommend and justify to higher authority, organizational and/or work changes that may increase costs or jeopardize the status of employee's tenure, limit services rendered, or affect work outside own unit.

Prepare plans to meet substantial changes in workload and propose and justify revisions in staffing levels work priorities and deadlines.

Coordinate activities of assigned units with representatives of other units in order to work out changes and problems that affect outside organizations.

Assign work to employees or to units or assign employees to positions based on a selective consideration of such factors as difficulty and requirements of assignments, availability, capability and special qualifications of employees, and other resources available.

Formulate and issue (individually or collectively with other supervisors or specialists) written instructions and procedures and special instructions for non-routine or complex assignments or to clarify published guidelines.

Set or participation setting performance standards.

Review work in progress or upon completion, production reports or other data to ascertain problems in accuracy, adequacy, adherence to procedures, etc., of individuals or units and take corrective action as necessary; or review and accept, amend or reject work for which quality standards have not been established or which may have had a lower-level review.

Prepare formal requests for filling vacancies or for additional personnel to meet workload requirements.

Select (or participates with considerable weight in the selection of) employees from lists of eligibles.

Prepare formal requests and recommendations for promotions, reassignments, other status changes, or recognition of outstanding performance of assigned employees.

Approve and disapprove leaves and recommends action in unusual cases.

Receive formal grievances, resolving those that cannot be resolved at the first full supervisory level.

Take disciplinary action as deemed necessary and proposes to higher authority a specific disciplinary action consistent with the problem and facts; for example, suspension, demotion, letter of warning or removal.

Usually, a Lieutenant of County Detectives directs the activities of several squads. Each squad is generally composed of a number of detectives and/or investigators plus a Sergeant of County Detectives who provides direct supervision to the other members of the squad. Although the specific work assignments and size and number of squads may vary, Lieutenants of County Detectives usually perform most of the duties described below.

Examples of work

• Prepares new and revised directives regarding the activities of the squads.
• Assigns teams or squads of detectives and/or investigators to conduct surveillance, undercover work or other types of investigations.
• Reviews and evaluates all available data in order to become familiar with various cases, and makes recommendations on how to proceed or assign cases to sergeants for investigation by members of their squads.
• As investigations proceed, reviews and analyzes various case reports to determine the progress and status of each case and makes recommendations or orders changes designed to bring such cases to successful conclusion.
• When sufficient evidence is gathered in a case, meets with members of the squad to which case was assigned to develop strategies and plan actions to be taken.
• Plans, coordinates and oversees the conduct of raids on locations where suspected criminal activity has taken place.
• When suspects are taken into custody, has general responsibility for booking, interrogation and detention and for assuring that proper procedures are used and that suspects constitutional rights are protected.
• investigates or directs the investigation of citizen complains against squad members and where evidence indicates, files official charges against subordinate.
• Prepares weekly, monthly, or annual reports indicating disposition of cases received and assigned, types of crimes, hours worked, court warrants executed and number of arrests made.
• Assists in the preparation of operating budget by providing superiors with data on anticipated human resources needs, work hours, equipment needs, funds for informants, contraband purchases and training costs.
• Directs sergeants to prepare work schedules and records of vacation, sick and court time used by members of their respective squads.
• Participates in the investigation of criminal complaints and assists the prosecutor in the detection, apprehension, arrest and conviction of offenders of the law.
• Examines work of assigned staff, confers with prosecutor and his assistants, defense counsel and others to obtain pleas or trail dates postponements, dismissals, etc.
• Participates in projecting office policy, correlating the activities of the assigned units with balance of agency staff.
• Gives suitable assignments and instruction to assigned employees.
• Advises other agencies (federal, state, county, and municipal) on the policies and rules of the office.
• Gives advice and directs the activities of personnel in other law enforcement departments in the investigations of matters so that upon their completion they are in proper form legally, evidentially and for proper trial presentation.
• Reviews and corrects all reports submitted by personnel under supervision.
• Directs assigned personnel to make further investigations or review investigations on matters submitted for approval.
• Formulates and plans proper methods and procedures of investigations.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of information files on criminals and crimes.

Education

Graduation from High School or Vocational High School or possession of an approved High School Equivalent Certificate.

Experience

Five years of full-time paid experience as a detective or criminal investigator with a recognized law enforcement agency, one year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New lent), only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

<b> MEDICAL EXAMINATION </b>

As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and/or psychiatric examination to be administered by the appointing authority. Any psychological, medical or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties, may be cause for rejection.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Considerable knowledge of the proper methods for conducting criminal investigations.
• Considerable knowledge of those activities that constitute a crime.
• Considerable knowledge of the kind of evidence needed to establish that a crime had been committed.
• Considerable knowledge of the investigative authority and responsibility among various law enforcement agencies.
• Considerable knowledge of decisions and precedent cases involving the admissibility of evidence, search and seizure and arrest authority.
• Wide knowledge of the sources of information concerning crimes, and the methods of obtaining evidence concerning criminal activities.
• Wide knowledge of the methods and patterns of criminal operations.
• Wide knowledge of the availability and use of modern detection devises and laboratory services.
• Wide knowledge of effective supervisory techniques.
• <b>ABILITY</b>
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. Communication may include such forms as American Sign Language or braille.
• Ability to supervise and perform varied investigational and other work involved in preparing cases from a legal viewpoint for trial purposes.
• Ability to supervise and perform the work involved in assisting the Prosecutor and his assistants in the detection and apprehension of criminals.
• Ability to use initiative and creativeness.
• Ability to understand the complexities and uses of pertinent rules and laws.
• Ability to analyze the request, complaint or allegation of a crime and to identify the issues involved and the types of evidence that will be needed in each case.
• Ability to determine the scope, timing and direction of the investigation.
• Ability to gather facts through such methods as interview, observation, interrogation, contacting informants, and analyzing records to establish facts or obtain evidence.
• Ability to recognize, explore and exploit leads to information and evidence.
• Ability to verify information obtained to establish accuracy and authenticity of facts of evidence.
• Ability to recognize the need for prompt reporting of critical information to other offices and agencies as the exigencies of any given situation may require.
• Ability to present findings in clear, logical, impartial, and properly documented reports.
• Ability to work under adverse conditions and among the dangers involved in dealing with hardened, violent and armed criminals.
• Ability to give suitable assignments and instructions to assigned personnel.
• Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of information files on criminals and crimes.

Note

For those candidates who do not meet the above experience requirement, substitution of formal education and training may be made as follows:

Substitution for two years of nonsupervisory experience may be made by applicants who possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Three years substitution of nonsupervisory experience may be made by applicants who possess a law degree.

Experience as a police officer must have been in criminal investigation on a full-time basis in order to be considered. Details of experience must by fully explained on the application form for a favorable determination to be made.