Investigator & Policy Analyst

Investigative and Policy Analyst, Office of the Independent Policing Auditor

Overview
 Are you an experienced professional and champion of fair and equitable policing? Would you like to work for a culturally diverse city, working to eliminate disparities and gaps in how law enforcement serves diverse communities? If so, we encourage you to apply for our Investigative and Policy Analyst position within our Office of the Independent Policing Auditor (AIPA).
 
 AIPA has been tasked with promoting public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the Alexandria Police Department (APD). This is accomplished by independent investigation, review, and monitoring of citizen complaint investigations and use of force incidents; recommended changes to departmental policy, procedures, and practices; audits of departmental practices including data review and analyses; collaboration with the APD on problem-solving efforts to address root causes after the identification of patterns; mediation efforts; and conducting on-going community-police engagement outreaches as well as dissemination of information regarding AIPA and its activities including periodic reporting.
 
 The AIPA is looking for a collaborative and innovative person who will perform a variety of investigative and policy analyses, research, writing and data analyses and reviews at the forefront of contemporary criminal justice reform initiatives. The ideal candidate will serve as the principal investigator and policy analyst in the growing field of civilian oversight of law enforcement.
 
 This role will be instrumental in improving the public trust of APD through ensuring fair and diligent complaint investigations; increasing awareness and accessibility of the complaint, commendation and feedback process regarding Alexandria law enforcement; enhancing transparency; researching and recommending promising policing practices; collaborating with community members through the dissemination of information about the office and community engagements; and identifying trends and patterns in Alexandria policing practices to enhance effective community-police engagement as well as deter law enforcement misconduct.
 
 Additional responsibilities will include creating a framework for the data collection and analyses of key criteria to identify policing patterns and trends to benchmark and recommend effective practices, engaging the Council-appointed Independent Community Policing Review Board (Board) and other community stakeholders, as well as providing technical assistance when needed to assist the AIPA Director and Board with their work objectives. A successful candidate will be well versed in understanding structural and institutional racism, American history, local government operations, investigations, policy analysis, relationship building, community engagement, systems and culture change and have a strong understanding of the potential disparate outcomes.
 
What You Should Bring

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Law, Business Administration, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties of the position will be considered
• Minimum of three years of experience in investigations and policy research and analyses
• You have demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice and/or possess lived experience and/or familiarity with the history of policing in the United States. You are strategic with a demonstrated ability to design and implement high-impact initiatives and plans based on quantitative and qualitative data analysis, internally and externally; motivated to make an impact and create results
• Analytical Skills - experience investigating allegations as well as assessing and developing policies, procedures, and practices with an equity lens
• Research and Comparative Analysis - analyzing legislative processes and determining action items and responses
• Strategic Planning - developing and implementing organizational initiatives, objectives, and strategies
• Data Analysis - collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to make informed recommendations
• Project management and logistics skills - especially with community engagement planning and management
• Proactive, self-directed, and able to multi-task effectively
• Ability to look beyond the standard solutions
• Skilled at analyzing a diverse portfolio of policy-related matters to assess and make informed recommendations
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and also database management
• Valid Driver’s License
• Must be able to pass any required criminal background checks
• Flexible working hours when needed to be present and police involved incidents as well as city and community engagements.

The Opportunity

• Conduct intake of complaints and commendations regarding APD personnel.
• Conduct thorough, independent investigations of APD personnel and write investigative reports that include all factfinding information including recommended findings.
• Respond to crime scenes and critical incidents involving serious injury or death in police custody with APD command staff, including the Office of Professional Responsibility.
• Draft and monitor operational objectives or procedures and recommend/draft modifications and other solutions by analyzing operational issues and addressing management concerns.
• Assess programs, policies, procedures and initiatives through an equity lens.
• Draft informed opinions to management on courses of action based on specialized knowledge.
• Assist staff in adapting to new policies and practices, modifications, and other solutions.
• Maintain knowledge of the APD Directives, Standard Operating Procedures, Tactical Guides, Training Bulletins, City Administrative Regulations, and effective practices in policing and police operations.
• Maintain awareness and knowledge of local, state, and federal legislation, ordinances, and agreements that affect law enforcement operations and practices.
• Participate in special projects of minimal complexity, including research of local, state, and federal legislation, ordinances, and agreements that affect law enforcement operations and practices.
• Propose, plan and assist community engagement events based on review of complaints, police activity, crime trends, and City safety priorities.
• Research policies on promising law enforcement practices and work as a part of a team in assisting with policy analysis that is informed by a review of those practices and customs of law enforcement.
• Process complaints/commendations and compile data for the office related to complaints/compliments, contacts, inquiries, use of force, and critical incidents. This includes demographic data for involved individuals.
• Draft periodic reports on the data analysis conducted. These reports may include tables, charts, and graphs depicting the data analysis.
• Draft well-written work products, including policy briefs, research memoranda, and presentations that clearly describe complex analyses and policy recommendations.
• Effectively and consistently communicate about AIPA and its bodies of work to internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain a working relationship with the Board.
• Attend meetings and supervises staff in the absence of the AIPA Director.

Bachelor's Degree in a related field (e.g., policy, public health, public administration, economics, law). Three (3) years of experience in research and the creation, implementation, analysis, or evaluation of public policy or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Understanding of the City of  ethnic and socio-economic diversity and experience working with and valuing the perspectives of diverse groups and individuals. Commitment to social justice equity.
• Excellent time management and analytical skills.
• Experience with analytical research and writing, offering conclusions and recommendations, data analysis and benchmark analysis.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel (creating formulas and linking worksheets; creating, modifying, and presenting; conveying critical information; and tracking information).
• Experience with preparing educational materials and presentations and conducting public engagements.
• Experience using case management software.
• Experience with database management, including the creation and running of queries.
• Highly motivated team player proficient at project management, can multi-task, work independently, and with a proactive work attitude.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

Working Conditions:
 
 If needed, applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, applicants with criminal records may be disqualified for this position.
 
 The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
 
 Depending on the assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, and repetitive motions.
 
Conditions of Employment:
 
 Candidates who do not meet the Education requirement may be considered if they have more relevant work experience than the position requires. Those selected for employment will be required to pass Pre-Employment checks depending on the position requirements. Those could include, but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screening, education verification, etc. Criminal convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Employees are paid by direct deposit only.

• Salary and Benefits

  • Salary Range: Grade 22 - 73,323.38 to 129,033.32.
  • Benefits – Full-time employee

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.