Job Description

POLICE LAW SPECIALIST

(Non-classified)

JOB CODE 62630

Effective Date:	7/95X

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to provide professional legal services on difficult civil or criminal matters involving extensive legal research, solution of enforcement problems, appeals, and other matters of concern to the Police Department. Assignments are usually specialized as to type such as tactical police advice and counsel and executive staff responsibilities. Work involves providing legal guidance to law enforcement personnel in conducting complex criminal investigations and assisting in drafting such orders and documents as might be required for search, seizure and other investigative purposes. The employee may be assigned to work with other legal advisors on complex cases or legal work such as the development or revision of major statutes and ordinances. The Police Law Specialist serves as general counsel to the Police Department in both strategic planning and tactical functions, however, the City Attorney's Office retains final authority in areas of litigation or matters of City-wide concern. Under the direction of the Department's Executive Staff Attorney, work is performed in accordance with general policies and established standards and practices of the legal profession. Work is evaluated through conferences and the results of completed assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serves as general counsel to the Police Chief and executive staff;
• Attends department meetings and conferences to determine the intent of official actions, consider possible alternative legal and administrative solutions to problems confronting the department and render oral and written opinions on the legal implications involved;
• Determines the propriety of major actions under the City Charter, State Constitution, and state and federal law;
• Acts as liaison with the offices of the City Attorney, City Prosecutor, County Attorney and the Courts in order to establish legal directives;
• Advises the Police Department on any court decision or legislation which pertains to the Police function;
• Performs special projects as assigned by the Police Chief for the benefit of the department;
• Consults with department employees relative to legal issues;
• Assists line functions with major criminal investigations or other activities when the assistance of an attorney is required;
• Proactively reviews department policies and directives for legality and liability issues;
• Reviews requests and subpoenas for departmental records;
• Processes civil liability matters;
• Conducts training sessions for police personnel in the area of law and legis- lation as it impacts the field of law enforcement;
• Assumes the responsibilities of the Executive Staff Attorney in his/her absence.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of law enforcement and public administration.
• Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Administrative and legal research methods, techniques, and methods of report presentation.
• Accepted legal and court interpretations.
• Organization, functions and legal limitations on the authority of the Police Department and of enforcement and procedural problems involved in the operation of the Department.
• State and federal constitutional and statutory provisions relating to municipalities.
• Principles of criminal and civil laws.

Ability to:

• Communicate in English by phone or in person in a one-to-one or group setting.
• Comprehend and make inferences from material written in the English language.
• Produce written documents in English with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Work cooperatively with City officials, employees and the general public.
• Quickly assimilate knowledge of and utilize City codes, City Charter and ordinances, and state and federal laws and regulations.
• Learn job-related material through structured lecture and reading in English.
• Analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and present such materials effectively, orally and in writing.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to incumbent or others.

Additional Requirements:

• Admission to the bar of the State of Arizona.
• Appointments to positions in the Police department are subject to appropriate polygraph and background standards.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon assignment.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Three years of experience as a practicing attorney performing legal and trial work including experience in the practice of federal, state, and municipal law, and graduation from an accredited school of law. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.