Job Description
job description
THE POSITION
The Inspector General provides independent oversight and monitoring of the Los Angeles Police Department’s operations, under the direction of the Board of Police Commissioners, a civilian oversight board comprised of five Commissioners appointed by the Mayor. Under the City Charter, the Board of Police Commissioners is the head of the Los Angeles Police Department (“LAPD” or “Department”), setting policies for the Department and overseeing its operation. The Inspector General plans, assigns, organizes and directs the work and resources of professional and clerical personnel engaged in the oversight of the Department, including auditing, investigating, and overseeing the Department's internal disciplinary process, citizen complaint procedures, and use of force investigation and review processes. The Inspector General also acts as an advisor to the Board of Police Commissioners and handles special investigative assignments at its direction; and applies sound supervisory principles and techniques in building and maintaining an effective, diverse and inclusive work force.
The Inspector General, established by Charter amendment and exempted from civil service, reports to and is appointed and removed by the Police Commission. The Inspector General is responsible for auditing, investigating, and overseeing the Police Department’s handling of complaints of misconduct by police officers and civilian employees; conducting investigations of personnel complaints alleging misconduct by the Chief of Police; reviewing and analyzing investigations of personnel complaints; monitoring and evaluating the Department’s internal disciplinary processes; and any other duties as may be assigned by the Police Commission. The Inspector General oversees all investigations and reviews of officer-involved shootings, discharges of firearms, other uses of deadly force, in-custody deaths, and uses of force resulting in hospitalization, and independently reports to the Police Commission on each incident. Additionally, the Inspector General conducts audits and systemic reviews of Department functions and operations, oversees compliance with internal policies and procedures, and ensures that existing policies and procedures are consistent with the law and constitutional policing best practices. The Inspector General has unfettered access to all Departmental documents, records, personnel, and facilities.
The Inspector General is responsible for the full range of supervisory duties including the hiring, application of discipline, training, and evaluation of performance of employees of the Office of Inspector General.
The Inspector General is expected to be a visionary leader with impeccable integrity who values transparency and accountability, is committed to the Office of Inspector General’s oversight mission, demonstrates expert leadership, and provides the Police Commission thoughtful, data driven recommendations.
THE DUTIES
An Inspector General performs the following activities through subordinate supervisors:
• Reviews personnel complaints filed against Department personnel to evaluate investigations and adjudications; and to assess the appropriateness of actions taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
• Supervises, directs and reviews investigations regarding allegations of misconduct by the Chief of Police, and of other matters as directed by the Police Commission.
• Oversees investigations and reviews of categorical use of force incidents, and independently reports to the Police Commission on each incident with an analysis and any policy recommendations.
• Provides technical advice, analysis and recommendations to the Police Commission regarding the Department’s operations, including use of force-related training and policy.
• Supervises, directs and reviews audits of various aspects of the Department’s performance.
• Analyzes and reports upon the effectiveness of the Department’s disciplinary system.
• Establishes and maintains communication with Legal Affairs Division and the City Attorney on matters of mutual concern such as litigation, excessive force, or misconduct to determine whether revisions in policies or procedures might mitigate legal actions against the City.
• Engages in community outreach and engagement to keep the public informed of the Office of Inspector General and Police Commission’s oversight role, including conducting intake of citizen complaints.
• Plans, assigns, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the work of professional and clerical personnel engaged in oversight and auditing activities and the related data input and filing associated with such activities.
• Applies a variety of training techniques to keep subordinates up to date on legal and policy standards related to the use of force, police misconduct, discipline and other public safety issues to maximize the skills and potential of subordinate staff.
• Maximizes productivity through effective communication and motivation of subordinate employees.
• Applies job-related criteria in selecting, orienting, assigning, training, counseling, evaluating, and disciplining subordinates.
• May occasionally be assigned to other duties for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
It is desirable that the Inspector General have the following knowledges and abilities:
A good knowledge of:
• Investigative principles and techniques, sufficient to ensure high quality investigative work by subordinates and to effectively review and analyze investigations performed by Department personnel.
• Criminal law and the elements of offenses in order to review cases and determine whether criminal behavior or misconduct is present.
• Current trends and developments affecting police oversight practices, including use of force policies, police reform initiatives, data-driven methods to detect patterns and/or trends in individual officers or in particular areas of the Department.
• The organization, functions, and procedures of the Police Department and the role of the City Attorney in such areas as, the Board of Rights, discipline, and personnel complaint investigations in order to determine fair and consistent application of disciplinary action, and to facilitate communication with the appropriate Department entities.
• The principles of the administration of discipline in a law enforcement agency to determine if the Department's disciplinary system is functioning in a fair, consistent and effective manner; and to make sound recommendations for revisions to existing regulations to ensure that the Department's objectives and standards are being met.
• Auditing principles, practices, and techniques such as reviewing and analyzing records and conducting interviews to direct the work of subordinate employees who are involved in auditing and monitoring the Department's disciplinary and other systems or performance.
• The major principles, practices, and methods of public administration, budgeting and financial control, personnel administration, administrative analysis, the City's legislative process, and cost accounting, sufficient to direct the activities of employees responsible for auditing and monitoring the Department's disciplinary and other systems or performance.
• Supervisory responsibility for protecting employees from discrimination and harassment, and for upholding principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, consistent with the law and City policies.
A working knowledge of:
• Memoranda of understanding as they apply to sworn and civilian personnel.
• City Charter and the Administrative Code as they relate to the Police Department.
• City personnel rules, policies and procedures.
• Local, state, and federal government rules, policies and procedures, including the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights.
• Procedures for grievance handling.
• Legislation related to law enforcement oversight, operations, and regulations, including the retention and release of confidential documents.
The ability to:
• Conduct the duties of the Inspector General listed above in a fair, impartial, and equitable manner.
• Work closely with the Police Commission to identify areas within the Department that require reviews, audits, and/or investigations.
• Develop and implement investigation and audit procedures that are thorough, objective, and impartial.
• Conduct, supervise, and manage administrative investigations.
• Conduct community outreach and work closely, cooperatively and effectively with diverse communities.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with elected officials, Commissioners, Department personnel, other employees, and community members.
• Analyze and evaluate tangible and abstract data and draw sound conclusions.
• Prepare and interpret statistical computations, charts, and diagrams.
• Prepare and direct the preparation of clear, concise, and comprehensive oral and written reports.
• Perform public speaking assignments and handle press relations.
• Recognize and consider trauma-informed perspectives.
• Develop subordinates through performance feedback and motivate subordinates to maximize productivity.
• Establish and maintain a work environment to enhance both employee morale and productivity.
THE REQUIREMENTS
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized four-year college or university and five years of management experience in public administration, law enforcement oversight, performance or compliance auditing, public policy development, civil or human rights, criminal justice policy, law, investigations, or a related field.
• Experience in investigating, interviewing, and monitoring law enforcement issues and related public policy matters in a major city is desired, but not required.
• A Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited institution and/or a master’s degree with major coursework in public administration, criminal justice, law or a related field is desired, but not required.
THE COMPENSATION
The current annual salary range for the Inspector General is $169,169 to $247,323.
A highly competitive benefits package includes an independent retirement plan to which both the employee and the City contribute; a multi-option deferred compensation plan; generous vacation and sick leave; 13 paid holidays per year; a flexible benefits plan including multi-option health, dental, and vision coverage; and family and domestic partner leave.
How to apply
TO APPLY
Electronic submittals are required. Interested candidates should immediately submit a resume, cover letter of interest, and four professional references (include name, job title, affiliation, email address, and telephone number) to:
Los Angeles Police Commission
Attn: Cindy So, Senior Personnel Analyst II
Email: PC-ERS@lapd.online
Questions may be referred to Cindy So at (213) 236-1450.
Note: When emailing your application material, the subject line should reflect your name and the Inspector General job title. Interested applicants should submit their application as soon as possible.
This position will be considered “open” until a final selection is made.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by Friday, January 24, 2025.
Executive
High level executive job opportunities requiring various degrees of managerial or administrative experience. Executives normally manage major functions in one of the City's many operating departments.
Closing Date/Time: 1/24/25