Internal Affairs & Background Investigator

1251-INTERNAL AFFAIRS & BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR

Under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, the Internal Affairs & Background Investigator coordinates and conducts complex, highly confidential pre- and post-conditional offer employment background investigations, as well as administrative internal affairs investigations involving sworn and non-sworn personnel within the San Francisco Adult Probation Department (SFAPD). The incumbent ensures strict compliance with relevant California statutes and Commission Regulations, while upholding Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights protections for sworn personnel and maintaining uncompromising standards of integrity, confidentiality, and due process.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned, highly objective investigative professional with demonstrated expertise in California public safety hiring standards and administrative labor inquiries. They combine rigorous investigative thoroughness for background vetting with executive presence, emotional intelligence, and diplomatic tact for complex internal affairs inquiries. Key core competencies include:

• Regulatory & Statutory Expertise: Hands-on experience applying POST Reg. §1953 background dimensions (integrity, impulse control, stress tolerance, financial responsibility), pre- to post-conditional offer protocols, CA Gov. Code §1031 peace officer minimum standards, and Penal Code §13510 frameworks.
• Investigative Rigor & Data Analysis: Proficiency in non-coercive structured interview methodologies, evidence preservation, and data audit trail analysis (e.g., body-worn camera footage, probation case management logs) to author clean, detailed, and legally defensible investigative reports.
• PO  & Labor Relations Acumen: Flawless execution of administrative interrogations and inquiries while upholding statutory protections under Gov. Code §3300 et seq. (written notifications, representation, recording rules, interrogation time limits) with absolute, unbiased neutrality.
• Emotional Intelligence & Discretion: Exceptional composure and de-escalation skills when interviewing stressed, reluctant, or adversarial subjects, alongside strict confidentiality in managing sensitive personnel records and findings.

In accordance with Civil Service Commission rules, the representative duties assigned to this classification include, but are not limited to, the following primary functions:

• Background Investigations: Develop and manage secure workflow processes for conducting pre- and post-conditional offer background investigations to assess employment suitability per POST Commission Regulations.
• Review candidate application packages and secure necessary legal releases to access criminal history, employment, credit, driving, and educational records.
• Conduct thorough field-based investigations, including criminal history checks, employer and personal reference interviews, home visits, and site verifications.
• Perform official background updates for current personnel as mandated by CA Government Code §1031 and Penal Code §13510.
• Analyze and document discrepancies or adverse findings, preparing comprehensive written suitability evaluations and employment recommendations.
• Construct, organize, retain, and safeguard confidential background files in accordance with Commission Regulations §§1953(e) and 1959(e).
• Internal Affairs Investigations: Receive, screen, log, and document all allegations of staff misconduct, policy violations, or administrative infractions involving sworn and non-sworn personnel.
• Lead impartial, confidential internal inquiries utilizing structured interviews, physical/digital evidence collection, surveillance, and case management audit trail reviews.
• Ensure all administrative investigations adhere strictly to due-process standards and PO  protections (Gov. Code §§3300–3313), maintaining proper chain of custody for all evidence.
• Research relevant statutory provisions, case law precedents, civil service rules, and department policies to guide investigative strategies.
• Author clear, detailed, and legally defensible formal internal affairs reports documenting factual findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations…