Police Detective; Criminal Investigator

Classification Title

Police Detective (Criminal Investigator)

Public Safety

Non-Exempt, A-30

The Police Detective is a critical role within the Nisqually Public Safety Department, responsible for upholding law enforcement and treaty rights enforcement to protect the Nisqually Tribe, its community, and its natural resources. This position is primarily tasked with investigating reported and suspected violations of the Nisqually Tribal Code and serves as the lead investigator for crimes occurring on the Nisqually Reservation and other properties held by the Tribe.

The Detective conducts both assigned and self-initiated criminal investigations in support of all divisions within Nisqually Public Safety, including Police, Corrections, and Fish & Wildlife. The work is primarily reactive, involving follow‑up investigations to ensure thorough case development for prosecutorial review or referral to appropriate law‑enforcement agencies. The Detective collaborates closely with other divisions to maintain public safety and peace.

Responsibilities include protecting life and property, preventing and investigating crime, apprehending offenders, and ensuring enforcement of the Nisqually Tribal code as well as applicable federal and state laws under the Tribe's jurisdiction.

This position ensures the confidentiality, security, and accuracy of records, and promotes positive employee, customer, and community relations. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required and outstanding customer service to fellow employees, customers, vendors, etc. is expected. Regular attendance is required, and on occasion, later hours or weekend time may be required with project deadlines and a neat well‑groomed professional appearance is essential at all times.

Primary responsibilities are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform. This list of responsibilities is intended to be representative of the duties performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed if such duties relate to the position.

• Conducts criminal investigations by responding to emergency and sensitive calls, assessing scenes, collecting and preserving evidence, interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects, and ensuring thorough case development.
• Responds to all emergencies including crimes in progress, domestic disturbances, and missing persons. Upon arrival, ensures scene safety, evaluates urgency, and determines the need for additional resources or escalation.
• Determines jurisdiction at crime scenes, detains or arrests suspects based on probable cause, preserves the scene, initiates investigations, and reports major incidents to the supervisor or Chief of Police.
• Responds to accident scenes; provides first aid as needed, requests medical assistance; secures the scene; interviews witnesses, sketches scene layouts, and prepares official accident reports. Issues citations or makes arrests as warranted.
• Collects and preserves physical evidence, photographs scenes, creates sketches, and processes prints or other materials using appropriate forensic tools.
• Arrests or detains suspects, using only the level of force necessary to control individuals under the circumstances; conducts searches, advises individuals of their rights, and transports them to appropriate detention facilities.
• Pursues investigative leads, apprehends violators, and performs suspect interviews in compliance with legal standards and without coercion.
• Interviews witnesses, victims, and suspects; obtains statements, investigates backgrounds, and ensures lawful and ethical interrogation practices.
• Appears in court to testify regarding arrests and investigations, presenting facts and responding to prosecution and defense questioning.
• Prepares clear, detailed, and accurate written reports for use in investigations, court proceedings, and department records.
• Explains relevant laws and legal proceedings to involved parties; advises on options or refers individuals to higher authorities when appropriate.
• Obtains search warrants as needed for…