QUALIFICATION STANDARDS FOR OVERSIGHT INVESTIGATORS

1. EDUCATION

   1. A Bachelor of Arts/Science, an equivalent degree, or a combination of education and relevant experience. Competent oversight investigators must possess sophisticated analytical and written communication skills, and must become proficient in a wide variety of subject areas, from case law on search and seizure, to cultural awareness to the latest research on perception and recollection. A college degree is an excellent indicator of likely proficiency in these areas.

2.  PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

   1. Three (3) years experience conducting civil, criminal or factual investigations that involved gathering, analyzing and evaluating evidence, conducting interviews with friendly and adverse witnesses and documenting information in written form.Applicable experience would include: criminal investigations conducted for a law enforcement or a prosecuting agency; criminal defense investigations in the public or private sector; investigating allegations of misconduct or ethical violations (especially involving public officials or police officers); investigations conducted in connection with litigation or hearings conducted by a government agency; personnel investigations; civil rights investigations and investigations of human rights abuses; investigations and audits of fraud or abuse.

3.  REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITY

   1. Knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures.
   2. Ability to conduct detailed factual interviews with aggrieved individuals filing complaints, with friendly, neutral and adverse witnesses, with police officers and managers, and with experts such as medical practitioners, law enforcement trainers, crime lab personnel, etc.
   3. Ability to write clear, concise, well-organized and thorough investigative reports.
   4. Ability to communicate professionally and courteously with individuals from a wide variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, to develop sensitivity to a variety of communication styles, to elicit information from reluctant individuals and to provide information in a clear and articulate manner.
   5. Ability to plan investigations and to prioritize multiple tasks and meet required deadlines, and to conduct investigations of a highly confidential and sensitive nature.
   6. Ability to organize and present information using matrices, timelines and relational database software.
   7. Ability to analyze and apply relevant laws, regulations and orders to the facts of the case being investigated.
   8. Ability to use initiative, ingenuity, resourcefulness and sound judgment in collecting and developing facts and other pertinent data.
   9. Knowledge of evidence handling and preservation procedures, of skip-tracing techniques to locate witnesses and of legal and criminal justice procedures.
   10. Ability to conduct investigations in an objective and independent manner and to adhere to high standards of ethical conduct and to evaluate evidence and make findings without bias or concern for personal interest.

SUGGESTED STANDARDS FOR SUPERVISORY INVESTIGATORS:

1.  EDUCATION

   1. A Bachelor of Arts or an equivalent degree.

2.  EXPERIENCE

   1. Five (5) years experience conducting civil, criminal or factual investigations that involved gathering, analyzing and evaluating evidence, conducting interviews with friendly and adverse witnesses and documenting information in written form. Applicable experience would include: criminal investigations conducted for a law enforcement or a prosecuting agency; criminal defense investigations in the public or private sector; investigating allegations of misconduct or ethical violations (especially involving public officials or police officers); investigations conducted in connection with litigation or hearings conducted by a government agency; personnel investigations; civil rights investigations and investigations of human rights abuses; investigations and audits of fraud or abuse.

3.  REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILTIES

   In addition to the skills and knowledge required for investigators, the following should be required.

   1. Ability to plan, conduct and supervise complex and difficult investigations, including those involving serious allegations of misconduct (such as officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths), investigations involving a large number of complainants, witnesses or officers, high-profile investigations and those involving multiple law enforcement agencies or significant policy issues.
   2. Ability to train, advise, motivate and mentor new and veteran investigators on an individual level and through a formal and ongoing training program.
   3. Ability to implement investigative procedures and standards consistent with best practices for civilian oversight agencies.
   4. Ability to review the work of investigators to ensure that the investigation is thorough and the factual findings and analyses are sound.
   5. Ability to set an example of professionalism, ethical conduct and commitment to a quality work product.
   6. Commitment to civilian oversight.
   7. Knowledge of criminal justice procedures, investigative techniques and issues involving police and civilian oversight practices and police-community relations.
   8. Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with agency staff, members of the law enforcement agency, government managers and members of the diverse communities served by the law enforcement and the civilian oversight agency.
   9. Ability to edit reports and other written materials prepared by investigative staff for clarity and style.
   10. Ability to establish investigative procedures and standards consistent with best practices for civilian oversight agencies

SUGGESTED STANDARDS FOR OVERSIGHT EXECUTIVES: Directors, Auditors, and Monitors

1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT EXECUTIVES

   1. EDUCATION

      1. A Bachelor of Arts/Science or an equivalent degree. Master’s degree, Juris Doctorate, or PhD is highly desirable.

   2. EXPERIENCE

      1. At least four (4) years of experience in the field of public or private administration or in the practice of law.
      2. Prior managerial or supervisory experience.

   3. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

      1. Creative, innovative and outgoing leader with recognized judgment, objectivity and integrity with a commitment to achieving solutions and results

      2. Strong passion for community relations and outreach with the ability to build strong, yet independent working relationships with a wide array of constituents and community representatives particularly, experience working with multicultural/ethnic communities

      3. Ability to bridge community and institutional concerns around fairness and justice issues and knowledge of social problems, community attitudes, organization and subcultures

      4. Work effectively within the framework of governmental and judicial structures

      5. Exceptional analytical, verbal and written communication skills

      6. The ability to manage people

      7. Knowledge of organization and management practices and methods, including goal setting, program development and implementation, employee supervision, personnel management, employee relations, team building, budget development and financial management

      8. High level of resiliency and the ability not to personalize adversity

      9. The ability to interact and operate effectively with various stakeholders, e.g., elected and appointed officials, law enforcement officers and administrators, community groups, and others

      10. The ability to work independently, fairly and objectively

      11. Effective facilitation, negotiation and diplomacy skills

      12. A willingness to make a long- term commitment to the organization

      13. Knowledge of general legal principals and statutory law including knowledge of employer-employee hearing and administrative procedures

      14. Knowledge of principles, practice and procedures related to conducting investigations and administrative hearings including rules of evidence and due process

      15. Knowledge of police administration and organization, and the rules, laws and regulations thereof