Civilian JailerThe Civilian Jailer is responsible for the care, custody, control, and supervision of individuals detained by the East Chicago Police Department. The position performs detention, transportation, monitoring, booking, recordkeeping, and administrative functions in support of police operations while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, department policies, and prisoner rights. The Civilian Jailer works under the direction of sworn supervisory personnel and serves as a critical support role within the Police Department.
Essential duties and responsibilities include:- Maintains the safety, security, and welfare of detainees housed within the Police Department detention facility.
- Processes detainees through booking and release procedures, including obtaining identifying information, photographs, fingerprints, and required documentation.
- Conducts searches of detainees and inventories, secures, and documents personal property in accordance with department procedures.
- Monitors detainee behavior and physical condition, reporting medical, mental health, behavioral, or safety concerns to appropriate personnel.
- Conducts and documents periodic welfare and security checks of detainees.
- Provides detainees access to attorneys, family members, medical personnel, and other authorized contacts as required by law and departmental procedures.
- Escorts detainees within departmental facilities and to court appearances, medical appointments, correctional facilities, or other authorized locations.
- Transports detainees to the Lake County Jail or other approved facilities in accordance with departmental procedures.
- Accepts, verifies, processes, and documents bonds and related transactions.
- Maintains accurate detention records, logs, reports, and confidential information.
- Enters and retrieves information using department-approved records management systems, including Spillman or successor systems.
- Records and monitors authorized visitors.
- Assists sworn personnel with detention-related activities and administrative support functions.
- Maintains compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and departmental regulations governing detention operations.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Knowledge, skills, and abilities required include:
- Knowledge of detention facility operations, prisoner supervision, and security procedures.
- Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing detainee rights and custody operations.
- Ability to maintain security and order in a detention environment.
- Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to emergencies and unusual behavior.
- Ability to prepare accurate reports and maintain detailed records.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, detainees, law enforcement agencies, courts, and the public.
- Proficiency with computers, records management systems, and standard office software applications.
- Education, certifications, and experience requirements include:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Minimum age of eighteen (18) years.
- Possession of a valid Indiana Driver's License and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance program.
- Ability to successfully complete all required background investigations.
- No felony convictions and no disqualifying criminal history as determined by applicable law and departmental standards.
- Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
- Preferred qualifications include prior experience in corrections, detention operations, law enforcement support services, military service, security services, or criminal justice. An associate degree or coursework in Criminal Justice or a related field is also preferred.
- Physical demands and working environment include:
Environment: Work is performed in a police detention facility, police department offices, correctional facilities, and transport vehicles. The employee may have frequent contact with detainees, prisoners, members of the public, law enforcement personnel, and court officials. The position may involve exposure to hostile individuals, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, stressful situations, and emergency incidents.
Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, mandatory overtime, and emergency call-back assignments.
Physical requirements include:
The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, climb stairs, and move throughout detention and office environments. The employee may occasionally be required to lift, carry, push, or pull up to fifty (50) pounds. The employee must possess sufficient visual, auditory, and physical abilities necessary to safely perform detention, transportation, communication, monitoring, and emergency response functions.
Special requirements include:
Successful completion of pre-employment background investigation, reference checks, and other job-related screening processes.
Successful completion of any required departmental training and certifications.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of criminal justice information and records.
Compliance with all City, Department, State of Indiana, and federal regulations applicable to detention operations.
