Criminal Investigator - Lateral - Savannah Police Department

City of Savannah•Savannah, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Criminal Investigator is responsible for conducting thorough professional investigations into felony and misdemeanor offenses occurring within the Savannah Police Department's jurisdiction. This position requires advanced investigative skills, the ability to analyze complex criminal cases, and the capacity to work collaboratively with patrol officers, specialized units, prosecutors, and external law enforcement agencies. Investigators are expected to identify suspects, gather and preserve evidence, prepare cases for prosecution, and ensure that investigations are conducted in accordance with department policies, state law, and constitutional standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED is required.
Valid driver's license.
Applicant must be 21 years of age by the date of hire.
Must be a citizen of the United States or a repatriated or naturalized citizen of the United States.
Minimum three (3) years of sworn law enforcement experience as a Criminal Investigator
Three (3) years' experience or comparable experience or training.
Current Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification or the ability to obtain Georgia POST certification within the required timeframe.
Out-of-State Certified Officers, Federal Police Officers, Military Police Officers, and Department of Defense Uniformed Police, may complete Equivalency of Training (EOT) via Georgia P.O.S.T.
Demonstrated experience in criminal investigations, case management, or detective functions.
Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation
Strong knowledge of criminal law, investigative techniques, and constitutional law.
Ability to analyze complex information and develop investigative strategies.
Skill in interviewing witnesses and conducting interrogations.
Ability to prepare detailed written reports and legal documentation.
Proficiency in using investigative technology, records management systems, and criminal intelligence databases.
Strong organizational and case management skills.
Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a team.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a detective or investigative assignment.
Specialized investigative training in areas such as homicide investigations, violent crimes, property crimes, financial crimes, interview and interrogation, search warrants and affidavits, and digital forensics.

Responsibilities

Conduct independent and collaborative investigations into crimes such as robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, homicide, narcotics violations, financial crimes, and other major offenses.
Respond to crime scenes and coordinate investigative activities, including evidence collection, witness identification, and suspect interviews.
Conduct detailed interviews and interrogations of victims, witnesses, and suspects.
Prepare and execute search warrants and arrest warrants in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
Collect, document, and preserve physical and digital evidence while maintaining proper chain-of-custody procedures.
Utilize investigative databases, intelligence systems, and analytical tools to identify suspects and develop leads.
Prepare comprehensive investigative reports, affidavits, and case files for prosecution.
Work closely with the Chatham County District Attorney's Office to ensure cases are properly prepared for court proceedings.
Respond to crime scenes and callouts.
Testify in state and federal court as required.
Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, including state and federal partners, when investigations cross jurisdictions.
Participate in task forces or specialized investigative initiatives when assigned.
Maintain regular communication with supervisors regarding case status and investigative progress.
Assist patrol officers with investigative follow-up and provide guidance on evidence collection and case development.
Conduct rollcall training with Patrol.
Trains and studies with police equipment and other training personnel to develop and maintain competency and proficiency.
Assists in patrolling assigned areas of responsibility to prevent and reduce criminal activity.
Preparing incidents and arrest reports.
Enforcing traffic laws; conducts vehicle stops, investigates traffic accidents, issue citations.
Operates miscellaneous equipment including emergency vehicles, radar, breath alcohol analyzers, and other issued equipment.
Assist in processing of evidence and the preparation of court cases, may provide legal testimony as required.
Writes and files daily activity report with superior officer.
Performs other related duties as assigned.