Job Specification

Purpose :

To plan and conduct and report with recommendations on the results of specialized investigations of complaints against the police in Ontario under the authority of the Police Services Act.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Investigations/Authority
- Conducts/leads or participates as a team member on highly sensitive complain investigations from inception to completion, ensuring each investigation is completed thoroughly and on time travelling to locations as required to ensure investigative completeness and integrity.
- Plans objective, fair, thorough, unbiased and timely investigations into public complaints into police behaviours, as directed by the Senior Manager Investigation and/or the IPRD.
- Assesses the investigation scope, determines what evidence / information is required and the best investigation methodology, including the requirement for specialized assistance and support (i.e forensic services) and who to interview and when.
- Develops investigative tools (e.g. specific interview structures) and schedules, to ensure complete and timely collection of facts, identifying potential investigative barriers and recommends effective solutions.
- Gathers, organizes, analyses and assesses evidence using appropriate investigative techniques and technology, ensuring procedural compliance with prescribed rules of evidence, law and respect to recognized investigative procedures and related IPRO policies, procedures and standards.
2. Case Management
- Interview all parties to the complaints (e.g. police, corrections and civilian witnesses), and coordinates with third parties officially able to provide investigation-related input and evidence (e.g. hospitals, forensic scientists, owners of vide/media etc.).
- Prepares comprehensive, succinct, written reports that address the key issues of investigation findings, setting out facts cogently, objectively and accurately and in appropriate details, including a well-reasoned analysis and objective assessment of evidence dealing with individual and/or systemic
issue.
- Identifies options and/or makes recommendations for subsequent action (e.g. case dismissal, mediation, changes to police force(s') procedures and standards, police training, etc.
- Conducts a variety of meetings and conciliation initiatives, applying proven case resolution techniques to resolve cases within IPRO policies, standards, procedures and timelines.
- Consults and coordinates closely with other IPRO investigators, counsel, case management personnel to ensure integrity, completeness, consistency and timeliness of investigations and to share/obtain expertise.
- Provides expertise, information and explains results of findings to support internal and external follow-up activities.
- Provides on-the-job mentoring/training to other investigators coordinating work of other investigators for very large investigations.

Knowledge / Skill :

- Relevant legislation, related regulations, statues and precedents found in diverse resources (e.g. constitutional law, the Criminal code of Canada, the Canada Evidence Act, the Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act, the Public Inquiries Act, and regulations governing the IPRO) to ensure
investigations are carried out in compliance with legislative requirements and ministry procedures and to assess evidence to make final determinations.
- Contemporary investigation principles, theories, practices, standards and tools to plan execute and deliver impartial, accurate and complete investigation gathering, analyses, reports and recommendations.
- Understanding of the structure of police organizations, the public perception and expectations of police, and specific issues regarding police behaviour in Ontario to liaise with complainants, witnesses, specialists and representatives of various police agencies when conducting/leading investigations.
- Case resolution techniques to facilitate resolution/resolve cases expediently and efficiently.
- Law enforcement agencies from other jurisdictions to understand role and involvement with breaches of legislations and to enable liaison and exchange of information.
- Case management, organization and planning to administer and manage concurrent investigations and balance the competing priorities of complex issues, high risk/high profile investigations.
- Project management, practical problem-solving and administrative skills, to plan and conduct concurrent investigations efficiently and effectively while ensuring their integrity.
- Oral and written communications to conduct interviews during investigations write and present reports with a determination of findings of the investigation to senior management, liaise with law enforcement agencies/coroners office/legal counsel and to present training/information sessions on
investigative techniques and security matters.
- Computer software to access data for analysis and prepare reports/presentations.
- Audio/visual recording devices to obtain and present/protect evidence to assist in the investigative process.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Interrogation/ interviewing skills to obtain information and evidence to facilitate investigations, extract information during interviews during the investigative process.
- Intervention techniques to manage/resolve conflicts and adversarial situations, addressing varying viewpoints and dealing with a variety of individuals who are involved in an investigation.
- Diplomacy skills to manage diverse relationships; demonstrate tolerance patience and sensitivity to persons involved in the investigative process and to the public and communities.
- Presentation skills to provide explanations regarding issues and determination coming out of an investigation and to train managers on investigative techniques and security matters.
- Consultation skills to provide discussing and disclosing case-related information which is typically sensitive and/or confidential.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analyzing and problem solving skills to:
- Determine investigation priorities, approach, identifying of witnesses, tools, techniques and resources in order to conduct/lead investigations that comply with legislation and best practices.
-Conduct sensitive and multifaceted investigations into public complaints about police behaviour, gather, and interpret evidence during investigations;
ensuring investigations are reliable, valid and complete, unbiased reporting and recommendations.
- Identify systemic issues (e.g. discrimination); recommending remedies and conducting or leading complete investigations with public interest remedies, making influential and authoritative recommendations for change based on investigation findings.
- Analyze large volumes of data to identify and explain details of evidence required to support tests/theories of cases.
- Ensure quality and compliance of investigations, delivering reliable and valid reports, advice and recommendations.
- Assess trends and patterns requiring further investigation.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
- Planning, conducting and reporting on sensitive public complaint investigations with due regard for the integrity of process and content.
- Contributing expertise and recommendations to improve police forces' readiness and ability to operate consistently in ways that reflect respect for the public, human rights, case circumstances, legislation, Rules and policy requirements.
- Identifying, assessing and conducting sensitive case resolution initiatives to achieve closure satisfactory to all parties and in compliance with the IPRO mandate.
- Identifying, assessing and conducting sensitive case resolution initiatives to achieve closure satisfactory to all parties and in compliance with the IPRO mandate, policies, standards and processes.
Has latitude to:
- Identify and assess investigation needs and priorities accurately, develop/recommend the optimal approach and resources and ensure involvement of appropriate witnesses, experts, methods and tools to ensure validity of investigations and investigation outcomes.
Decisions are guided by:
- The mandate and priorities of the IPRO, applicable legislation and IPRO / Ministry/OPS policies and procedures, past precedents, accepted principles of investigation and professional code of conduct.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

IPRO personnel at all levels to provide expert information and explanations on investigatory principles and tools.
Counsel and other investigators to discuss case specific issues.
Counterparts, police and other organizations, experts, witnesses, complainants and their representatives to schedule, co-ordinate, and conduct investigations, and to conduct case resolution initiatives, and to provide expert explanations of investigations findings.

Guidance / Supervision :

Provides functional expertise to IPRO co-workers regarding investigations-related concepts, processes, techniques and tools.
Providing functional expertise, leadership and coordination on a project basis to assigned teams of investigators.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Frequently dealing with a variety of competing demands (e.g., beginning new investigations and writing reports on those completed, prioritizing rush
investigations) and ongoing requirement/deadlines.
- Regular requirement to travel to conduct investigations/interview witnesses etc.

Mental / Sensory :

Frequent requirement to:
- Focused listening and concentration required when conducting an investigation, conducting interviews and reviewing evidence; and to prepare investigative reports outlining findings.

Conditions / Environment :

Frequently required to:
- Conduct interviews/surveillance in all weather and conditions (sitting for prolonged periods, walking extensively, all while taking notes).
- Conduct high stress interviews which can produce unknown and high pressure situations where altercations can occur and physical safety is at risk.