OPS Investigator

OPS Investigator

Salary

$65,000.00 - $75,000.00 Annually

Location

0120 - Office of Professional Standards

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

11000-HR

Department

0120 - Office of Professional Standards post DOJ

Division

012001 - Office of Professional Standards post DOJ

Opening Date

09/04/2026

Closing Date

9/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Office of Professional Standards Investigator

Examples of Duties

Reports to the Manager of the Office of Professional Standards (OPS). Conducts investigations into citizen complaints that allege misconduct by Officers and employees of the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP). Conducts investigations into CDP Use of Deadly Force incidents and in-custody injuries and deaths. Identifies and categorizes allegations contained in citizen complaints filed with OPS. Gathers and securely preserves all relevant evidence including physical, direct, and circumstantial to provide pertinent information for analysis and investigation of citizen complaints. Conducts citizen interviews regarding allegations contained in complaints filed with OPS. Performs effective case management including maintenance of both electronic and hard copies of investigative case files. Presents investigative findings, conclusions, and recommendations regarding citizen complaints to the OPS Manager and to the Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB). With the assistance of the OPS Manager and Department of Law personnel, presents investigative findings, conclusions, and recommendations regarding CPRB-sustained investigations of citizen complaints to CDP Chief or his/her designee during Pre-Disciplinary Hearings. Reports to scene of CDP Officer-Involved Shootings during Use of Deadly Force Investigative Team call-ups to observe investigational process. Performs reviews of investigations conducted by CDP Sex Crimes and Missing Persons Units. Serves on CDP Force Investigative Team for non-criminal investigations. Assists OPSS Manager with identifying recommended revisions of CDP policy, strategy, tactics, and training based on OPS investigations. Responds to applicable Public Records Requests. Assists OPS staff with gathering investigative data and conducting research analysis for the production of the OPS Annual Report. Conducts community outreach/engagement and participates in continuing education, career development, and training as work schedule permits. Prioritizes assignments and tasks to meet required deadlines. Performs other job-related duties as required by the OPS Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Public Safety Management, Social Science, or closely related field of study from an accredited four-year college or university required, a Master's Degree is strongly preferred. Five years of full-time paid investigative experience, three of which must be in conducting investigations consisting of evidence gathering, witness interviewing, and case file maintenance, required. NOTE: OPS Investigators will not be current members of CDP and no CDP personnel will have any active role in OPS's operations. (Substitution: Two years of any equivalent combination of education, training and experience may substitute for each year of college education lacking.) Must be able to become certified as a LEADS Practitioner. Must be: Familiar with the use of audio/visual recording and playback equipment; Detail-oriented and have the ability to multi-task; Computer proficient and skilled in the use of the Internet and Microsoft Office Suite. Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required. The following are preferred: Experience in conducting administrative investigations of police conduct; Experience in the proper application of the preponderance of the evidence standard; and Experience in weighing the credibility of witness testimony.

Supplemental Information

Additional detailed job description (this should describe the actual duties for the position)

This position reports to the Senior Investigator of the Office of Professional Standards. Conducts investigations into citizen complaints that allege misconduct by Officers and employees of the Cleveland Division of Police. Conducts investigations into CDP Use of Deadly Force incidents and in-custody injuries and deaths. Identifies and categorizes allegations contained in citizen complaints filed with OPS. Performs effective case management including maintenance of both electronic and hard copies of investigative case files. Presents investigative findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding citizen complaints to the OPS Administrator and to the Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB). With the assistance of the OPS Manager and Department of Law personnel, presents investigative findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding CPRB-sustained investigations of the citizen to the CDP Chief or his/her designee during Pre-Disciplinary Hearings. Assists OPS Administrator with identifying recommended revisions of CDP policy, strategy, tactics and training base on OPS investigations. Response to applicable Public Records Requests. Assists OPS staff with gathering investigative data and conducting research analysis for the production of the OPS Annual Report. Conduct community outreach/engagement and participates in continuing education, career development and training as work schedule permits. Prioritizes assignments and tasks to meet required deadlines. Performs other job-related duties as required by OPS Administrator.

Preferred Qualifications

A High School Diploma or GED is required. An Associates or Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Public Safety Management, Social Science or a closely related field is preferred. Experience in gathering information and conducting investigations, interviews and report writing. Ability to read and interpret investigative material to include incident reports, Dispatch records and other case related material.

The Citys guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.

The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.

01

Have you ever been employed as a sworn or non-sworn member of the Cleveland Division of Police? (Please note that no OPS Personnel may be current or former Members of CDP)

Required Question

Employer City of Cleveland

Address 601 Lakeside Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio, 44114

Phone 216-664-2493