Violent Crime Unit Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Violent Crime Unit Gang Detective

Department: Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division - Violent Crime Unit
Location: Harrisburg, PA

Starting Rate: $34.40 an hour ($71,552.00 per year)

Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Violent Crime Unit Gang Detective. The Violent Crime Unit Gang Detective is a unique position that is responsible for investigating and preventing gang-related criminal activity within Dauphin County. This role requires expertise in gang identification, the various gang territories, and gang member validation, along with a proactive approach to intelligence gathering. The ideal candidate will actively monitor social media, engage in community-based policing, and collaborate with other agencies to combat gang violence and related crimes. This role will present opportunities to work in both a uniformed officer capacity as well as an undercover officer.  The detective will also play a critical role in the judicial process by providing testimony in court. The key responsibilities for this position are listed below. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Gang Member Validation & Identification:
  Validate and identify gang members using various intelligence sources, law enforcement databases, and investigative methods. Maintain an up-to-date record of gang members and associates.
• Social Media Monitoring:
  Actively monitor social media platforms to track gang-related activities, communications, and potential threats, and ensuring timely responses to emerging situations.  This will include needing a strong background in investigations to include executing search warrants on internet, cell phone, and social media platforms.  This will be a key responsibility of the Detective. 
• Community Engagement & Relationship Building:
  Establish and maintain positive relationships with community members, local organizations, and businesses to foster trust, gather intelligence, and provide proactive solutions to gang violence.
• Investigative Work:
  Conduct in-depth investigations into gang-related crimes, including but not limited to violent crimes, drug trafficking, and illegal firearms. Collect, analyze, and document evidence from various sources, including witnesses, informants, and surveillance.
• Encounters & Traffic Stops:
  Perform mere encounters and traffic stops to investigate suspected gang activity. Assess and act on the intelligence gathered during interactions with individuals suspected of gang affiliation.  Utilize patrol interdiction techniques to identify individuals involved in firearms, narcotics and violent crime investigations.   
• Territory & Gang Knowledge:
  Maintain an extensive understanding of local gang territories, their members, activities, and affiliations. Use this knowledge to support investigations, identify threats, and assist in strategic planning.
• Collaboration with Other Agencies:
  Work closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as community partners, to share intelligence, coordinate investigations, and address gang-related issues across jurisdictions.
• Testifying in Court:
  Prepare and present clear and concise testimony in court regarding gang-related criminal investigations, evidence, and arrests.
• Flexibility & Motivation:
  Be flexible with work hours, including being on call and working nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Maintain a high level of motivation and initiative to pursue investigations and proactively address gang violence.
• Team-Oriented Approach:
  Work effectively as part of the Violent Crime Unit and in partnership with other law enforcement divisions. Contribute to team efforts and share intelligence to enhance overall unit performance.
• Proactive Intelligence Gathering:
  Collect, analyze, and share intelligence on gang activities, members, and future threats. Use all available tools and resources to ensure gang activities are tracked and managed effectively.
• Compliance with Criminal Procedure:
  Apply thorough knowledge of criminal procedure, ensuring all investigations, arrests, and prosecutions are conducted in compliance with the law and department policy.

Qualifications:

• Education:
  • High School diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or a related field is preferred. Must be ACT 120 certified.
• Experience:
  • At least 3 years of law enforcement experience, with a focus on criminal investigations, gang-related activities, and interdiction / violent crime preferred. 
  • In-depth experience and understanding of gangs, gang culture, and related criminal enterprises.
  • Experience conducting complex investigations, including surveillance, interviews, and evidence collection.
• Preferred Experience
• Patrol style drug interdiction 
• Search warrant preparation and execution 
• Cellular telephone and digital forensic investigations 
• Open-source intelligence (OSINT) 
• Undercover operations 
• Confidential informant management 
• Firearms trafficking investigations 
• Narcotics investigations

• Skills & Abilities:
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with community members and work with other agencies.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong problem-solving skills. 
  • Self-motivated individual willing to build cases and see them through.
  • High attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to think critically in fast-paced environments.
  • Ability to adapt quickly to changing situations and remain calm under pressure.
  • Proficient with investigative tools, databases, and social media platforms.
  • Ability to testify effectively in court.
• Certifications:
  • Valid driver's license and good driving record.
  • ACT 120 certification
  • Specialized gang investigation or criminal intelligence certifications are preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform physical tasks associated with law enforcement duties.  This includes the ability to pass a basic physical fitness test if requested.     
• Ability to work in various work environments and potentially hazardous settings.

Dauphin County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive workplace free of discrimination and harassment. Dauphin County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.