Police Detective - City of Liberal

This is a non-exempt position with limited supervisory responsibilities, but may require supervisory skills and management of personnel that are assigned operations of investigating criminal activity. Primary work functions are to investigate criminal activity, coordinate lead assignments with other police personnel and ensure the completion of all case assignments and acts as a liaison with the prosecuting attorneys on assigned cases to ensure readiness of cases submitted for prosecution.

Essential Functions:

• Ensure legality, consistency, non-bias, diplomacy and good judgment in law enforcement activities.
• Direct and coordinate the activities of patrol officers, investigators, and technical support personnel that are assigned to assist in the investigation of criminal activity.
• Investigate criminal activity by using ethical, legal and approved methods.
• Interview witnesses, suspects and victims of all ages and races with courtesy and diplomacy.
• Confer with division commanders and administrative staff.
• Assume command of law enforcement personnel responding to crime scenes and critical incidents in the absence of a ranking supervisor or command staff.
• Manage a case load effectively, completing all necessary lead assignments and tasks in a timely manner to ensure the successful resolution of all cases
• Analyze preliminary investigations, develop and prioritize lead assignments.
• Make monthly inspections of all assigned equipment to ensure its reliability and state of readiness. Report any deficiencies immediately to the appropriate supervisor.
• Meet with public officials and citizen groups to enhance public relations and to explain police functions.
• Assume command of law enforcement personnel responding to crime scenes and critical incidents in the absence of a ranking supervisor or command staff.
• Direct the processing of crime scenes. Coordinate lead assignments with support personnel, outside agencies and other organizations involved with the investigation.
• Ensure that all evidence is properly submitted to the laboratory for analysis and evaluation.
• Ensure that all worked performed, by assigned personnel, is properly documented and completed.
• Develop and maintain informants that will aid in the collection of intelligence information. Maintain control of any cooperating individuals during police operations that are used in a proactive investigation.
• Act as a liaison with the prosecuting attorneys, victims and witnesses and maintain contact with them throughout any judicial proceedings.
• Give accurate and honest testimony during judicial hearings.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• United States and Kansas Constitutions, Federal, State and City criminal and traffic laws and ordinances, and related court decisions.
• General social problems and cultural diversity of citizenry.
• Modern police methods, practices and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of municipal police functions, including principles, practices and techniques of law enforcement and crime prevention.
• Considerable knowledge in investigative techniques, crime scene processing, laboratory services.
• The geography of the City, community service organizations, location of facilities and buildings, and the established districts.
• City of Liberal Personnel Rules/Policies, Administrative Regulations, department policies, General Orders and Special Orders.
• First aid principles and practices.

Ability to:

• Ability to analyze a wide variety of challenges and to assign and direct personnel in operations.
• Ability to record details about names, faces and incidents quickly, clearly and accurately.
• Ability to distinguish colors accurately.
• Ability to accurately and effectively discharge a rifle, shotgun and handgun in the performance of police duties.
• Ability to subdue within reasonable terms a violent and/or uncooperative person by methods requiring physical force.
• Ability to drag or carry an average adult person away from danger.
• Ability to extract and evaluate information from written, digital and oral reports to develop lead assignments necessary to successfully investigate cases.
• Ability to deal courteously, but firmly with the public and to establish and maintain favorable public relations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments, representatives of other organizations and the public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain a valid Kansas driver’s license.
• Ability to be flexible in hours worked, including night-time hours, weekends, and holidays if needed.
• Ability to respond to callouts in a timely manner.
• Ability to fill in on uniform assignments when needed.

Additional Requirements:

• This classification requires the use of City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record.
• The detective is directly assigned to the Investigations Division, but at times may be temporarily re-assigned to the Patrol Division during special functions and at times designated for the benefit of the department
• Must meet all requirements of a police officer.
• Must pass all pre-employment screenings

Acceptable Experience and Training:

High school diploma and must be 21 years of age. 2 years of experience as a commissioned Police Officer with one year of this time in a non-training status, and one year consecutive experience as an Investigator or Detective with a law enforcement agency serving a population of at least 15,000, for Detective. Detective is a rank and could involve a pay increase at the discretion of the Chief of Police.