Watch Center Operator, Grant Service Specialist III (NCS) - Baltimore Police Department

Watch Center Operator

This is a newly created position, Watch Center Operator, in Baltimore Police Department's Data Driven Strategies (DDS) to provide 24/7, 365-day real-time support to officers and investigators working in the field. Individuals assigned to this role act as the centralized liaison for operations and incidents occurring at the district level. As such, they coordinate and assist a wide range of units to include: Patrol, Baltimore Community Intelligence Centers (BCICs), District Detectives Services Section (DDSS), Criminal Investigations Division (CID), District Intelligence Officers, Homeland Security Section (HSS), etc. This position works closely with a wide variety of other DDS personnel staff to include crime analysts, criminal intelligence analysts, and the open-source analysts. Personnel assigned to this position also collaborate with other law enforcement entities, such as federal agencies, State Police, School Police, MDTA, and surrounding county agencies.

Essential Functions

• Actively monitors radio calls for service, police communication platforms, and computer aided dispatch (CAD) for critical incidents throughout the city.
• Provides intelligence reports and workups for certain violent crime offenses.
• Provides additional on-demand intelligence reports and workups routed to DDS via the request portal system to include person and address workups, link analysis, etc.
• Answers phone calls to the Watch Center for requests for information, assistance with entering stolen vehicles to the license plate reader system (LPR), or requests for other units such as crime analysis, open source, intel analysis, or CCTV footage.
• Answers phone calls to the "Metro Crime Stoppers" hotline and makes entry into the "P3" tip system.
• Ensures that once entered, the tips are forwarded to the most appropriate unit for further investigation.
• Coordinates communication and notification protocols amongst various internal and external partners for critical incident response, such as School Police, MDTA, Homeland Security Section, BPD Communications section, Patrol, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited College or University.

AND Experience: Minimum one year in law enforcement, public safety or similar field

OR Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have the ability to lead a hybrid team with equity and purpose.
• Experience working with any of the following platforms: link analysis software, computer aided dispatch (CAD) software, case search (example: Maryland Case Search), DPSCS Application Portal, LinX, Thompson Reuters CLEAR, law enforcement records management system (RMS), law enforcement case management systems, license plate reading software, etc.
• Previous experience analyzing or gathering information and intelligence.
• Critical thinking and the ability to multi-task.
• Strong initiative and experience being a self-starter
• Experience doing link analysis, address and phone number look ups. Ability to establish a professional rapport with police personnel, supervisors, the community, outside agencies and outside service partners.
• Distinguished service record, including excellent performance ratings, ability to pass a CJIS background investigation to obtain access to police sensitive information.
• Active security clearance is desirable.
• Certifications in "28CFR Part 23" for Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies is desirable.

Additional Information

Background Check

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening and must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 1-year mandatory probation.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.