SERGEANT – INVESTIGATIONS
Job Summary
Under general direction of the Bureau Chief – Investigations, performs advanced law enforcement work in supervising investigations of a complex and/or sensitive nature.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Supervise team and individuals comprising the Utah County Officer Involved Incident Task Force.
- a. Investigate serious officer involved incidents including shootings, domestic violence, high speed pursuit fatalities, and in-custody deaths.
- b. Ensure quality of investigative work performed and documentation submitted by task force members.
- c. Participate in the debriefing presentation for the police agencies involved in the incident.
- Supervise investigations; coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies; prepare court documents; document activities and findings of investigation according to standards and policy.
- a. Supervisor complex financial cases including fraud, securities fraud, embezzlement, theft, identification theft, forgery, communications fraud, money laundering, racketeering, fraudulent business practices, and mortgage fraud.
- b. Supervise the investigation of cases involving allegations of misconduct on the part of public agencies and/or public officials.
- c. Supervise internal affairs investigations for the Sheriff’s Office and other police agencies as requested.
- Investigate special cases as assigned by the County Attorney or his or her Chief Deputy.
- a. Assist county and city law enforcement agencies with high profile or complex cases as requested.
- b. Serve on local, state, and federal task forces as assigned.
- c. Respond to questions and complaints from the public, assigned personnel, County departments, and other agencies.
- Assist with staffing decisions including hiring, training, scheduling of work load, delegation of assignments, and retention of assigned personnel.
- Assist with purchasing and maintenance decision for equipment, tools, and supplies within the bureau.
- Preserve the peace by enforcing federal, state, and local laws; make lawful arrests for criminal activities; perform field work and participate in major criminal investigations including employing investigative techniques to locate fugitives and executing search and arrest warrants.
- Write and administer federal grants.
- Provide input on budget matters.
- Propose policy and procedure changes.
- Prepare for and participate in court proceedings.
- a. Determine completeness of information, adequacy of evidence and general preparedness of various cases for prosecution.
- b. Present testimony in court relevant to cases investigated.
- c. Assist prosecutors in preparing exhibits, evidence, and witnesses for court.
- Enforce criminal and traffic laws and performs physical arrests.
- a. Track suspects via sales, purchases, money, vehicle, property, and other types of transactions.
- b. Maintain confidential informants and verify information provided, coordinate and/or advise on fugitive apprehension, arrest warrants, civil process, protective orders, etc. within the department.
- Educate the public on how to protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud by giving presentations to elderly, church, and civic groups; provide instruction on documenting and reporting suspected fraud scams.
- Conduct training for other law enforcement agencies and officers pertinent to investigatory work conducted by the Bureau of Investigations.
- Exemplify the desired culture and philosophy of the organization.
- Work effectively as a team member with other members of management and the Attorney’s Office.
Additional Responsibilities May Include
- Conduct specialized computer forensic examinations, cell phone forensic examinations, or other examinations as assigned.
- Apply for, and manage grants including tracking financial information and providing quarterly reports.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of general law, state statutes, case law precedents, and laws specific to financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime and money laundering
Considerable knowledge of court procedures and rules
Knowledge of psychological and sociological conditions and issues related to human development and criminal behavior
Knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques
Knowledge of the principles and practices of law enforcement specific to assignment
Skilled in reading, writing, math, and interpersonal communication
Skilled in coordinating and organizing investigative work
Skilled in problem solving and decision making
Skilled in using modern office machinery and forensic examination tools and equipment
Skilled in using firearms and other lethal and non-lethal force devices
Skilled in using weaponless self-defense and restraining techniques
Skilled in the operation and use of restraining devices
Skilled in driving vehicles at high speeds in pursuit situations
Ability to prepare legal reports and documents
Ability to think logically
Ability to perform legal research and locate reference materials
Ability to apply precedents of legal issues
Ability to testify before a state or federal judge or magistrate in a concise and professional manner
Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and other County employees
Ability to maintain steady demeanor and good judgement during highly stressful situations
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has supervisory responsibility, taking the lead over multi-departmental investigative groups, and serves as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.
Work Environment
Work is typically performed in a professional office environment but may be performed for sustained periods outdoors in all weather conditions. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as a laptop, desktop, smartphone, photocopiers, shredders, and filing cabinets. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to noisy. Work occasionally exposes the incumbent to contagious or infectious diseases, bodily fluids, and/or hazardous chemicals. This job occasionally exposes the incumbent to potentially hostile situations and to unknown and dangerous situations. The incumbent is required to drive Utah County owned vehicles in the course of conducting County business and must abide by the Utah County Vehicle Policy.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to use manual dexterity to handle, feel, and operate objects, tools and controls, and reach with hands and arms. This employee is frequently required to stand, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. The performance of this job exposes the employee to hazard uncertainty and requires physical readiness and conditioning. The employee is required to type, file and lift or move supplies or objects up to twenty (20) pounds. The employee regularly drives a motor vehicle.
Position Type/ Expected Hours of Work
To maintain full-time status, this position must work at least eighty (80) hours each two-week pay period, however the regularly scheduled hours are eighty-six (86) per pay period. As job duties demand, may be required to perform work on any day and at any time.
Travel
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected, up to twenty-five (25) percent.
Required Education and Experience
1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Six (6) years of work experience in the capacity of a certified Law Enforcement Officer of which two (2) years must have been as a detective or investigator.
3. Related degrees beyond high school may also be considered in meeting up to two (2) of the six (6) years of experience required but will not be considered in meeting the required two (2) years as a detective or investigator.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
1. Applicants must possess current Utah Law Enforcement Officer certification through The Utah State Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Agency. County employees being reassigned or transferred to this classification must possess Utah Law Enforcement Officer certification upon reassignment or transfer.
2. Incumbents are required to maintain POST certification and successfully complete required annual training.
3. Incumbents may be required to successfully complete annual Emergency Vehicle Operation training.
4. Incumbents are required to maintain annual weapons qualification for all assigned weapons.
5. Incumbents may be required to obtain and maintain other certifications including, but not limited to, computer forensic examiner, or cell phone examiner.
6. Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license and obtain a valid State of Utah driver’s license within sixty (60) days of employment.
7. Selected applicants will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
AAP/EEO Statement
It is the policy of Utah County Government to assure equal employment opportunity to its employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, genetic status or gender identity.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee of this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.
Utah County Government is a drug-free workplace.