Police Detective (Crime Analyst)

Hiring Salary Range is $62,347 – $79,493 (based on qualifications and experience)

The Town of Matthews offers a comprehensive benefits package including bilingual incentive pay, vacation and sick leave, increased vacation accrual for qualified service with another government agency, shared sick leave, medical insurance, paid parental leave, health reimbursement account (HRA), dental plan, vision insurance, North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement Plan, 457 and 401K Retirement Accounts, flexible medical & dependent care spending accounts, EAP, group and voluntary life insurance & AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, accident plans, hospital indemnity plans, and critical illness insurance, and tuition reimbursement.

MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR POLICE DETECTIVE (CRIME ANALYST) EMPLOYMENT WITH THE TOWN OF MATTHEWS

With our ultimate goal of keeping our city safe, the Matthews Police Department is dedicated to attracting, recruiting, training, and developing employees who meet and maintain our strong hiring standards. As such, applicants who have a history of unethical or immoral behavior will not be hired.

Applicants for the position of Police Detective (Crime Analyst) must meet the minimum standards set forth by the Department of Justice - Minimum Standards for Criminal Justice Employment. Background will be looked at very closely and all candidates offered employment will be subjected to an intensive background evaluation.

SWORN PERSONNEL AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFIERS 

1. Committed or been convicted of:
   
   
   
   1. a felony; or
   
   
   2. a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years; or
   
   
   3. a crime or unlawful act defined as a Class B misdemeanor within five years prior to the date of application for employment; or
   
   
   4. four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as Class B misdemeanors regardless of the date of conviction; or
   
   
   5. four or more crimes or unlawful acts defined as Class A misdemeanors; except the applicant may be employed if the last conviction occurred more than two years prior to the date of application for employment; or
   
   
   6. any domestic violence offense (including, but not limited to, Assault, Battery, Telephone Misuse, False Imprisonment, Stalking, etc.); or
   
   
   
   


2.  Ineligibility under Federal or North Carolina State law to possess or carry a firearm;


3. Any use of Heroin, Methamphetamine, Morphine, Opium, LSD, PCP, or other dangerous drugs;


4. Any use of “club drugs” such as GHB, MDMA (ecstasy), or any other illegal hallucinogen drug not listed here within seven (7) years;


5. Any use of cocaine or any derivative of it within seven (7) years;


6. Any use of marijuana, including legal marijuana derivatives, bi-products, or concentrates, within 12 months of application. ** Please note that while some states have decriminalized marijuana, it is still federally illegal and police officers are expected to adhere to all laws and regulations, on and off duty;


7. Been convicted or otherwise found guilty of selling, manufacturing, or distributing a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana;


8. Ever illegally sold, produced, cultivated, distributed, or transported a controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana;


9. Being involuntarily terminated from a previous law enforcement position whether sworn or civilian;


10. For any conviction equivalent to North Carolina Motor Vehicle Law (Impaired Driving) within 5 years of application;


11. Discharge from military service with less than “General under Honorable Conditions.”

POSITION SUMMARY

The Police Detective (Crime Analyst) is a sworn position assigned to the Police Department responsible for investigating crimes and providing timely and pertinent information related to crime patterns, trends, and criminal activity. Work includes conducting criminal investigations, identifying and apprehending persons suspected of committing crimes, assisting in the prosecution of offenders, analyzing crime and intelligence data, identifying investigative leads and crime patterns, and providing analytical information to department personnel. The position supports operational and administrative staff in the deployment of resources for the prevention and suppression of criminal activity, enhances the investigative process, and provides actionable information to increase the apprehension of offenders and clearance of cases. Work is performed in accordance with department policy and state and federal law, supplemented with specific direction from superior officers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.)

• Performs tactical and strategic crime analysis to identify short- and long-term crime patterns, trends, series, clusters, and hotspots using crime, arrest, calls for service, intelligence, demographic, geographic, and other relevant data.


• Conducts statistical, temporal, spatial, historical, link, and other analytical methods to identify relationships, emerging criminal activity, offenders, and matters affecting officer and public safety.


• Collects, compiles, evaluates, and analyzes information from departmental records, intelligence sources, field interviews, external databases, and other sources to support crime prevention, criminal investigations, and operational decision-making.


• Prepares and disseminates crime and intelligence products, including bulletins, reports, maps, graphs, charts, statistical summaries, suspect information, modus operandi patterns, and officer safety information for internal and external use.


• Develops and presents regular intelligence briefings to command staff and department personnel regarding crime trends, patterns, significant cases, emerging threats, and other relevant analytical findings.


• Provides data-driven recommendations and strategies for crime prevention, resource deployment, directed patrol, surveillance, offender apprehension, and other enforcement or investigative activities.


• Supports the development and improvement of departmental data collection, crime analysis, intelligence-sharing, and information management processes and assists with comprehensive research and analytical projects.


• Communicates and coordinates with department personnel, Town departments, prosecutors, local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies, government organizations, and other appropriate partners to obtain, analyze, and exchange crime and intelligence information.


• Conducts preliminary and supplemental investigations of felony and serious misdemeanor offenses, including developing investigative leads, conducting interviews and interrogations, coordinating with informants and other law enforcement agencies, conducting surveillance, and identifying and apprehending offenders.


• Conducts crime scene investigations as necessary, including securing and documenting scenes, photographing evidence, processing fingerprints, collecting and preserving evidence, preparing sketches, and interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects.


• Prepares investigative reports, case files, warrants, and other documentation; coordinates cases with the District Attorney’s Office and other judicial officials; and provides courtroom testimony.


• Makes arrests, serves warrants, and participates in high-risk apprehensions and other law enforcement activities as required.


• Performs the duties and maintains the required knowledge, skills, certifications, equipment, and responsibilities of a sworn Police Officer.


• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

(The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Thorough knowledge of crime analysis principles, practices, and techniques, including tactical, strategic, administrative, and intelligence analysis.


• Considerable knowledge of research methods, quantitative and statistical analysis, crime pattern and trend identification, and data-driven policing strategies, including intelligence-led policing, problem-oriented policing, and CompStat.


• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws; departmental policies and procedures; criminal law; investigative procedures; and requirements governing the collection, safeguarding, and dissemination of law enforcement-sensitive information.


• Knowledge of modern law enforcement and investigative methods, including crime prevention, interviewing, evidence evaluation, surveillance, development of investigative leads, apprehension of offenders, and preparation of cases for prosecution.


• Knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS), law enforcement records systems, databases, intelligence systems, and other internal and external information sources used for crime analysis and criminal investigations.


• Skill in the use of computer software and technology for spreadsheets, databases, statistical analysis, GIS mapping, data visualization, graphics, report preparation, and presentation of analytical information.


• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, and evaluate information from multiple sources; identify crime patterns, trends, relationships, and potential offenders; draw logical conclusions; and develop actionable intelligence and recommendations.


• Ability to prepare and disseminate timely and accurate analytical products, including crime bulletins, maps, reports, graphs, statistical summaries, and presentations to support investigations, crime prevention, resource deployment, and departmental decision-making.


• Ability to independently perform complex and sensitive analytical and investigative assignments, apply sound investigative principles, develop investigative leads, and assist in the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of offenders.


• Ability to analyze complex law enforcement problems and develop effective, reasonable, and data-supported courses of action while exercising sound judgment, initiative, discretion, and attention to detail.


• Ability to effectively plan, prioritize, and manage multiple analytical and investigative assignments within established deadlines and respond appropriately to changing operational needs.


• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally and in writing; prepare concise and comprehensive analytical and investigative reports; conduct briefings and presentations; and provide effective courtroom testimony.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, Town officials, citizens, prosecutors, and local, State, and Federal law enforcement partners and to appropriately exchange crime and intelligence information.


• Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions and exercise tact, firmness, decisiveness, and professionalism when interacting with the public and performing law enforcement duties.


• Skill in the safe and effective use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment and in the application of self-defense and de-escalation tactics required of a sworn law enforcement officer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.


• Must be able to perform medium work, exerting 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds of force frequently, and 10 pounds of force constantly to move an object.


• Must possess the visual acuity to work with data and figures, operate a computer and related equipment, and have the ability to read to comprehend written material and make inferences from the contents; use of both hands and fingers with dexterity to complete daily work assignments.


• Must possess the visual acuity to operate a police vehicle and distinguish details and differences when observing people, places, or things in law enforcement work; and to prepare and review a variety of records and reports

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This position is primarily based in an office environment, but is not exclusively based in the office. Employees are expected to maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area, adhering to health and safety guidelines. Employees may be subject to hazards in law enforcement work, including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards, including but not limited to dangerous persons, heavy traffic, loud noises, and hazardous spills with fumes, oils, gases, and flammable liquids. This position is subject to all State and Federal OSHA regulations, including but not limited to the following: bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication/GHS, personal protective equipment, slips, trips, and falls, etc.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency from an accredited educational institution by the date of employment application is required. 


• At least two (2) years of experience as a full-time sworn officer; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Ability to work with data and statistical information, identify trends and patterns, draw meaningful conclusions, and communicate findings effectively is required.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate’s Degree from an accredited college/university in a closely related field.


• Experience as a police investigator.


• Knowledge or experience in COMPSTAT.


• Military or Police experience in crime or Intelligence analysis.

CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid North Carolina Driver's License within 60 days of employment with a safe driving record. (If you possess a South Carolina Driver’s License and maintain residence in South Carolina, you are not required to obtain a North Carolina Driver’s License).


• Must have successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Training and currently be certified to work as a sworn law enforcement officer in North Carolina (or must be able to obtain NC BLET certification within one (1) year of hire). Out-of-state transfers must be able to successfully complete the reciprocity process and requirements through NCDOJ outlined at https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/criminal-justice/officer-certification-programs/law-enforcement-certification-applicants/.


• Must be able to meet and maintain the minimum training, experience, and compliance requirements for the position as established by the Town and the State of North Carolina, including but not limited to the ability to obtain the credential of a sworn law enforcement officer, as issued by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, within one (1) year of hire.


• An Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate issued by the North Carolina Justice Training and Commission is preferred.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Town of Matthews requires background checks to be conducted on the final candidate(s) applying for any position with the Town of Matthews. For this position, final candidates must pass a background process including, but not limited to, work history verification, professional/personal reference checks, social media, financial review, polygraph, pre-employment drug screening and physical, psychological evaluation, criminal background, fingerprinting, driving record checks, and firearms qualification, with final approval by the Police Chief and Human Resources. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test and/or participate in other assessments.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The Town is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Town of Matthews provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws in all terms and conditions of employment.

The Town of Matthews is an at-will employer.