Investigator/Detective The Criminal Investigator performs specialized, non-supervisory law enforcement work for the Lawton Public Schools Police Department. The position conducts and coordinates criminal investigations involving offenses occurring on school district property, at district-sponsored activities, or within the department's lawful jurisdiction; protects students, employees, visitors, property, and evidence; and prepares cases for presentation to the appropriate prosecuting authority. The investigator exercises independent judgment within Oklahoma law, constitutional requirements, court decisions, district policy, and LPSPD policy and procedure. The investigator works closely with patrol personnel, school administrators, student services, Human Resources, prosecutors, child-protection personnel, and outside law enforcement agencies while preserving the independence, confidentiality, and integrity of criminal investigations. The position does not exercise routine supervisory authority unless temporarily assigned incident-command responsibilities by an authorized LPSPD supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or recognized equivalent. At least seven years of progressively responsible sworn law enforcement experience; prior criminal-investigation experience is preferred. Current certification as a full-time Oklahoma peace officer through the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, or eligibility to obtain and maintain the certification within the period permitted by Oklahoma law and LPSPD policy. Valid Oklahoma driver license, insurable driving record, and ability to operate district vehicles. Current CPR, automated external defibrillator, and first-aid certification, or ability to obtain the required certification within the period established by the department. Ability to lawfully possess and carry a firearm and satisfy all district, LPSPD, and CLEET qualification requirements. The selected employee must successfully complete all district and department pre-employment or assignment requirements. These may include a criminal-history review, driving-record review, background investigation, drug screening, medical examination, psychological evaluation, and other lawful suitability assessments. The employee must be able to work independently, maintain confidentiality, manage multiple complex cases, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively in writing and orally. Responsibilities and Essential Functions: Applicants or persons employed in this position must be able to perform the following tasks and functions which are fundamental to the purpose of the position. Receive and evaluate reports of criminal activity; develop investigative plans, identify applicable offenses and elements, establish timelines, and pursue lawful investigative leads. Investigate assigned cases, which may include crimes against persons or property, threats, weapons, narcotics, sexual offenses, child abuse or neglect, technology-facilitated offenses, employee conduct that may constitute a crime, and other matters affecting district operations or school safety. Interview victims, witnesses, students, employees, suspects, and other persons, using age-appropriate, trauma-informed, and legally compliant practices in cases involving juveniles; coordinate with parents or guardians, school officials, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, prosecutors, advocacy resources, and other agencies as required by law. Process crime scenes; identify, photograph, collect, package, preserve, submit, and document physical and digital evidence; maintain chain of custody and follow department evidence-control procedures. Review video, access-control records, electronic communications, social-media information, digital-device data, and other records in compliance with constitutional, statutory, court-order, and policy requirements. Prepare complete and timely initial, supplemental, investigative, arrest, and case-closing reports using the department's records-management system. Prepare probable-cause affidavits, search-warrant affidavits, arrest-warrant affidavits, preservation requests, subpoenas, and other legal process in coordination with the appropriate prosecuting authority and LPSPD supervisory chain. Execute warrants and lawful court orders, make arrests, and transport or coordinate the transport of prisoners when required. Present completed cases to the appropriate municipal, state, or federal prosecuting authority; provide organized case files for charging decisions. Testify in district court, municipal court, juvenile proceedings, grand-jury proceedings, administrative hearings, and other lawful proceedings. Protect criminal investigative information and disclose it only to persons with a lawful need to know, consistent with Oklahoma law, applicable federal privacy law, court orders, and LPSPD policy. Coordinate joint investigations and lawful information sharing with the Lawton Police Department, Comanche County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, federal agencies, and other law enforcement partners as appropriate. Respond to critical incidents and major crime scenes; perform investigative or incident-command functions until relieved by an authorized supervisor or unified command. Assist with threat assessment, intelligence development, missing or endangered student cases, school-safety planning, special-event operations, and evidence/property functions as assigned. Maintain assigned equipment, investigative files, certifications, and required training; report deficiencies or compliance concerns through the chain of command. Provide authorized training or technical assistance within demonstrated competence. Perform other lawful duties assigned by the Chief of Police or an authorized LPSPD supervisor. This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; and nothing herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
