Police Officer (Assigned As Traffic Specialist) Title Code 9151

DUTIES

A Police Officer (Assigned as Traffic Specialist) will:

A. assist and guide police officers on Department policy and procedures relative to the initial investigation of fatal or serious personal injury traffic accidents. 

B. conduct investigations of fatal and serious personal injury traffic accidents.

C. photograph evidence, traffic crash scenes, vehicles, and any other related items of evidentiary value. 

D. interview witnesses, victims, offenders, and other parties involved in an investigation. 

E. measure crash scenes using measuring devices and equipment. 

F. reconstruct crucial elements of crash and hit-and-run scenes using the reconstruction methods consisting of scientific, analytical, and mathematical practices. 

G. have familiarity of electronically recorded interviews (ERI) for interviewing purposes. 

H. download the crash data retrieval (CDR) of specific vehicles. 

I. write investigative reports often requiring fifteen to twenty pages. 

J. process and investigate hit-and-run traffic crash handouts. 

K. issue citations when appropriate. 

L. attend and testify at court and other related proceedings. 

M. inventory evidence when needed. 

N. remove air bags from vehicles when an evidence technician is not available. 

O. work with the State's Attorney's Office on obtaining felony charges. 

P. have familiarity with the R-Case reporting system. 

Q. create a neat and orderly file for each case assigned. 

R. create community alerts when appropriate. 

S. work with the public in developing leads and crucial evidence needed

T. canvass areas near scenes for additional witnesses, videos, and evidence. 

U. prepare towed vehicle disposition reports. 

V. have familiarity with court release procedures. 

W. adjust work hours to meet the needs of the 48-hour rule for custodial arrests and investigations. 

X. prepare felony 101s and complaints. 

Y. prepare scene diagrams according to best practices. 

Z. generate investigative alerts. 

AA. utilize criminal history and name check procedures. 

AB. prepare and execute search warrants. 

AC. receive, record, and document notifications of serious personal injury and fatal crashes. 

AD. answer telephones and respond to telephone messages. 

AE. request and review POD and private video. 

AF. utilize assigned Department technology when necessary. 

AG. provide instructional training at the academy and at district roll calls. 

AH. notify family members regarding death or serious injuries of loved ones and the disposition of their cases. 

AI. operate and maintain Department vehicles. 

AJ. organize and monitor assigned cases. 

AK. purchase and maintain equipment and accessories unique to the assignment of a Police Officer (Assigned as Traffic Specialist). 

AL. learn and follow Bureau of Detectives Special Orders. 

AM. learn the skills to work on vehicles mechanically (removing airbag-control-modules). 

AN. use and develop the skills to use a variety of software platforms. 

NOTE: The above list of duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class. Members can refer to the Office of Public Safety Administration (OPSA) Human Resources Division webpage, under sworn job descriptions, for a full job specification, including essential duties, needed knowledge, skills, and abilities for title code 9151 (Police Officer Assigned as Traffic Specialist).

ELIGIBILITY

By the close of the application period, members who are interested in applying must:

A. be a sworn member below the rank of sergeant. 

B. be willing and able to perform the duties of a Police Officer (Assigned as Traffic Specialist) as outlined in Item II of this directive. 

C. be willing and able to work any watch assignment and change work hours in accordance with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Chicago and the Fraternal Order of Police. 

D. have a minimum of 18 months of continuous service as a police officer with the Chicago Police Department.

E. understand that to be assigned as a Police Officer (Assigned as Traffic Specialist), candidates must be a Police Officer in an active duty status for at least three years at time of appointment. 

F. have an acceptable disciplinary record. Based on the date that a Complaint Register (CR) investigation for misconduct was sustained, identified as the final disciplinary decision at completion of the Command Channel Review process, the candidate's disciplinary record cannot reflect: 

1. any sustained CR investigation resulting in suspension of more than seven days during the preceding twelve-month period; or 

2. a record of three or more sustained CR investigations resulting in suspensions of any length of time within the past five years. 

NOTE: For COPA investigations, the final disciplinary decision occurs after the conclusion of the process described in the Municipal Code of Chicago Chapter 2- 78-130(a). For BIA investigations, the Chief of BIA (or his or her designee) has been designated by the Superintendent to provide the final disciplinary decision. 

NOTE: Sustained C.R. investigations with findings of "No Disciplinary Action" will not be considered as sustained violations for purposes of this selection process. Candidates with pending grievances or Police Board cases concerning discipline will be allowed to apply for the position. Such applications will be considered if the candidate's disciplinary record is modified or expunged as a result of the grievance or Police Board hearing so the member's disciplinary record meets the disciplinary standards set forth in this directive. 

G. have an acceptable attendance record. The candidate's attendance record cannot reflect any unauthorized absences within the preceding twelve-month period. 

H. meet acceptable medical roll usage guidelines. If the candidate's medical roll usage reflects nine or more medical incidents or forty five days or more on the medical roll within the preceding three-year period, absent exceptional circumstances (e.g., the use that is sudden, cannot be prevented, and is unforeseen that temporarily and significantly impacts a sworn member's medical roll use), or demonstrates a pattern of medical roll abuse or misuse (e.g., the candidate goes on the medical roll when assigned to an involuntary detail; the medical roll use is linked to furlough, RDOs, or other time due to extend time off; or the candidate is found to have used the medical roll in an unauthorized manner or demonstrates other behaviors demonstrating medical roll misuse), the candidate will be disqualified. 

NOTE: Medical time used in relation to approved FMLA leaves, Paid Parental Leave, ADA accommodations, or IOD injuries cannot be the basis for disqualification.

I. have satisfied all indebtedness to the City of Chicago. 

J. be willing to forego days off on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, as required by operational needs. 

K. be willing to reschedule a furlough period if it conflicts with training. 

L. have received evaluation ratings categorized as "Outstanding Performance Rating/Value 4" or "Meets Performance Expectations Rating/Value 3," (or previous equivalent) as defined in the Department directive titled "Performance Evaluations of All Sworn and Civlian Department Members Below the Rank of Superintendent" for each of the last four evaluations. 

M. if currently appointed to a D-2B grade, be willing to resign D-2B status and pay and accept D-2A status and pay upon assignment as a Police Officer (Assigned as Traffic Specialist). 

N. not have been previously removed for cause from assignment as a Police Officer (Assigned as Traffic Specialist), title code 9151.

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