The Detective Constable – Forensic Identification is responsible for the orderly operation of general duties within their assigned Unit, as well as the efficient transfer of information and communications received by the Thunder Bay Police Service.

Branch: Investigative Services
Unit: Forensic Identification
Reports to: Detective, Forensic Identification
Pay scale: As per the Uniform Collective Agreement, Schedule A

General core competencies required to be successful as a Detective Constable are:

1. Accountability and Excellence

• Firstly, align behaviours to organizational and ethical values of trust, integrity, leadership, inclusivity, and collaboration.
• Address others whose behaviours are contrary to TBPS values.
• Demonstrate required level of job‐related skill.
• Focus efforts on achieving standards of excellence through both continuous improvement and ongoing development.
• Comply with all relevant codes of conduct, policies, and procedures.
• Exercise self control, adaptability, and flexibility in stressful or difficult situations.
• Accept responsibility for own actions regardless of consequences.
• Respect the dignity, human rights, equity, diversity, and inclusion of others.

2. Decision Making

• Apply established guidelines and procedures to make informed decisions.
• Seek guidance as needed when the situation is unclear and involves the right people in the decision-making process.
• Consider consequences of decisions including the impact on others and the TBPS.
• Reach decisions that are consistent with established procedures and TBPS values.
• Assess the effectiveness of decisions and respond accordingly.

3. Interaction and Influence

• Promote team goals, share the workload, and assist others.
• Give credit and acknowledge contributions and efforts of peers.
• Treat others fairly, ethically, and with value — communicating openly and building trust.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills – clear, concise, and suited to others’ level of understanding.
• Demonstrate cooperation, collaboration, and consensusbuilding when working with others within or outside the TBPS.
• Ability to accept and act on constructive criticism.
• Also, effectively communicate using strategies to achieve common goals, influence, and gain support of others.

4. Social & Cultural Competency

• Demonstrate a professional, empathetic, and objective demeanour.
• Able to effectively interact, work and develop meaningful relationships with people of various ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds.
• Recognize and respect diversity through communication and actions in all contexts.
• Show respect and openness towards someone whose ethnic, cultural, and social background is different from one’s own.
• Able to recognize and manage one’s own behaviours, moods, and impulses to create an inclusive, equitable and welcoming environment within the TBPS.
• Able to use one’s own experiences to relate to and work with all ethnic, cultural, and social groups.

5. Forensic Analysis

• Collect and analyze evidence to support investigations.
• Keep current with new and emerging trends, technology, and legislation.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
• Give specialized advice and testimony related to forensic analysis.

6. Investigative Management

• Use appropriate procedures to collect, organize, retrieve, maintain, and disseminate information.
• Demonstrate awareness of key types and sources of information needed to perform duties.
• Effectively use technology and/or systems to manage information pertinent to the position.
• Ensure appropriate security protection, storage, and maintenance of information.
• Respect confidentiality of information.
• Knowledge of computer applications pertinent to position.

7. Skill Mastery

• Demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills to effectively perform the duties of the position.
• Maintain training and certifications relative to the role.
• Work cooperatively within a specialized team environment.
• Utilize specialized skills effectively during operations.
• Able to acknowledge and seek to improve operational shortcomings related to specialized skills.
• Prepare for court and testify effectively as per their specialization.

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

The Detective Constable – Forensic Identification is responsible and accountable to the Detective, Forensic Identification for the efficient and timely performance of the assigned duties and responsibilities. Specific responsibilities shall include but not be limited to:

• Examination of crime scenes and articles associated with crimes to gather, process, analyze and preserve evidence.
• Decides on appropriate examination techniques to employ at crime scenes and with articles associated with crimes.
• Works with other Branches to identify and solve crime.
• Prepares exhibits, diagrams, charts, and other evidence for court and provides expert testimony.
• Assists with the collection of biological exhibits such as (but not limited to) blood, saliva,
  and hair.
• Attends post-mortem examinations and confers with pathologist.
• Keeps current on new Standing Orders, Directives, changes in law or policy, etc.
• Acts as liaison officer with various outside agencies as assigned.
• Must be available for short notice travel and requires the ability to work flexible hours.
• Performs other duties required of a sworn Police Officer and as assigned.
• All other duties as assigned within the core competencies.

Required Qualifications:

• Must hold rank of 2nd Class Constable or greater.
• Must successfully complete training at the Ontario Police College and/or Canadian Police College.
• Additionally, must successfully remain qualified with required testing.
• Demonstrated ability in organizational written and oral communication skills, including the ability to deal with the public and external agencies in a professional and courteous manner.
• Demonstrated initiative and the ability to function independently.
• Proven ability to problem solve, and analytical thinking skills.
• Also, demonstrated knowledge of related acts, regulations, and policies (Criminal Code, Provincial Offences Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Child and Family Services Act, etc.).

Working Conditions:

• The shift schedule assigned to the position is twelve (12) hour shifts consisting of 4 on 2 (4 early days / 4 late days), 4 off, as well as flexible shifts to meet the operational requirements of the unit.
• On-call availability is required.
• May be required to travel including overnight.
• Work is preformed in a standard forensic environment.
• Regular need to give close attention, either hearing or seeing, to what is happening.

Tests and Assessments:

Candidates may be subject to any of the following tests and assessments for this position.

• Application review
• Performance Appraisal review
• Disciplinary record review
• Panel Interview
• Psychological testing as per of the Project Safeguard policy (P1c6)