Surrey Police Service (SPS) is Surrey’s new municipal police agency. On November 29, 2024, SPS became the police of jurisdiction, and assumed responsibility and command for policing and law enforcement in Surrey. SPS is working to redefine policing with innovative new approaches and community-based solutions. It’s an exciting time as SPS continues to expand our team with talented people who want to help shape the future of policing in Surrey. We have already hired over 500 employees and will grow to be one of the largest independent police services in Canada. Since day one, SPS has been intentional about building a culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, with a strong focus on employee wellness and career development.
This Sergeant opportunity is for the Investigation Services Bureau, Specialized Cold Case Investigation Team (SCCIT).
Reporting to the Staff Sergeant overseeing Serious Crimes Unit (SCU), the Sergeant is the unit level Team Leader responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations assigned to the SCCIT team including the investigation of historical complex, serious, sensitive, and/or high-profile criminal offences. The SCCIT Sergeant Team Leader will assist the Staff Sergeant in managing that team’s SCCIT investigations which may include unresolved and historical: homicides, attempt murder, murder conspiracies, predatory sex assaults and suspicious/high risk missing person investigations.
The Sergeant will ensure guidance and direction is provided in relation to Major Case Management, adherence to the B.C. Provincial Policing Standards, Benchmark file reviews and regular weekly reporting for Benchmark investigations. The Sergeant will guide the team in the development of operational plans, the deployment of conventional and non-conventional investigative strategies and the liaison with other police units and agencies including the advanced skills of a civilian forensic DNA expert or genealogist. The incumbent in this role will protect and promote workforce wellbeing, occupational health and safety and inclusion to enable a high performing team.
This position may involve both overtime Callouts and On Call scheduling.
Throughout their careers, Sergeants will have opportunities to serve in more than one SPS Bureau.
This role carries legal powers to enable the maintenance of law and order and carries responsibility for making decisions in accordance with the BC Police Act, exercising professional discretion, as appropriate to the role, in line with legal frameworks, and SPS policing guidelines.
Sergeants are required to meet and maintain the highest professional standards required of their role, by conducting all actions in a legal, ethical, and justifiable manner to uphold the law and achieve the best outcomes in a wide range of situations/incidents.
SPS’s Sergeants model the mission, vision, and values of SPS through unquestioned integrity and sustaining a visible, credible, inclusive, and respected profile. They have a strong work ethic and are committed to a community-based policing model that looks beyond immediate issues and searches for realistic longer-term answers to complex community and social issues and emerging risks and trends.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Regular Full-Time.
Sergeant – Specialized Cold Case Investigation Team Roles and Responsibilities
- Supervises all aspects of their team’s assigned cases and investigations ensuring best practices are followed including Major Case Management principles, the B.C. Provincial Policing Standards and trauma informed approaches.
- Supervises and mentors team members in all aspects of investigations including Confidential Informer/Agent handling, investigative interviewing, preparation and execution of operational plans, judicial authorizations, file management and disclosure ensuring protocols, procedures and statutory requirements are followed.
- Manages and coordinates the investigative resources within the team ensuring effective collaboration which may also include the other SCU teams, SPS units/sections, police agencies and/or specific individuals with specialty skills.
- Provides effective oversight of a variety of serious and/or complex crime scenes.
- Continually monitors work priorities, their teams’ wellness and work stressors, supporting the team as required while ensuring service delivery is not impacted.
- Supervises the investigative genetic genealogy civilian member and coordination of forensic DNA analysis. The position requires knowledge of genetic genealogy, forensic laboratory procedures, evidence handling, and quality control.
Career Development
- Facilitate training opportunities, career advice and advancement opportunities for members throughout their career, including in roles as individual contributors, technical experts, and senior leaders.
- Support succession planning in the SPS.
- Substantive Sergeant or Corporal with 10+ years of progressive policing experience in community policing, investigations, or support services. NOTE: Corporals applying for SPS Sergeant positions must have a specialized skill set and be approved by the Surrey Police Union for promotion upon hire.
- Corporals must have at least two years as a substantive in the rank and a passing qualification/JSE score (within the last three years), and must be approved by the Surrey Police Union in order to be promoted upon hire.
- Has attended and has successfully completed the required police training from a recognized police academy as per the BCPPS. See link:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/police/standards/2-2-1p-exemption-process.pdf
- As per the BCPPS, retired police officers with less then three (3) years into retirement are eligible to apply (providing they had successfully completed the required police training from a recognized police academy, as noted above.
- Minimum of 2 years experience working as a major crime investigator, or in an environment focused on complex criminal investigations, with an understanding of major case management principles.
- Experience in a command role (Team Commander or Primary Investigator) in homicide investigations using MCM.
- Experience investigating serious persons offences or complex investigations using Major Case Management (MCM) Principles.
- Experience conducting investigative interviews (e.g. victim, witness, suspect).
- Experience authoring, obtaining and executing judicial authorizations.
- Experience using forensic DNA collection and analysis to successfully prosecute serious persons offences such as homicide, attempt homicide, predatory sex offences or suspicious missing persons.
- Experience using familial DNA evidence to resolve historical serious persons offences such as homicide, attempt homicide, predatory sex offences or suspicious missing persons.
- Experience in the above noted “Duties and Responsibilities”.
- Experience using various covert police investigative techniques which may include Part VI, undercover operations and Confidential Informer and/or Police Agent handling and management.
- Experience supervising investigative suspect interviews.
- Experience supervising judicial authorizations.
- Experience supervising serious or complex crime scenes.
- Experience testifying in Provincial and/or Supreme Court.
The Following Education is an Asset:
- CPC MCMTC | Major Case Management: Team Commander (or equivalent)
- JIBC 1211 | Major Crimes Investigations
- JIBC 1210 | General Investigative Skills
- JIBC 1207 | Investigative Interviewing
- JIBC 1212 | Search and Seizure
- CPKN 0789 | Introduction to Human Sources
Health and Wellness Requirements:
While the Specialized Cold Case Investigation Team will work scheduled day shifts, the successful candidate must be able to work extended hours and rotating shifts in support of major criminal investigations and be fully operational and be fit for duty. This includes the following abilities and requirements:
- Licensed and able to operate a Police vehicle and attend calls for service.
- Qualified and able to use issued force options as and when required (i.e. baton, OC, firearm).
- Trained and able to engage the public in a variety of circumstances, including physical contact if required.
- Able to wear protective equipment, including body armour.
- Be available to be on call as required to support operations.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Successful Applicants must obtain and maintain the required level of Security Clearance.
- Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.
OUR VALUES
Values of Honour, Integrity, Respect, Courage, Compassion, and Inclusiveness guide how we serve our residents, engage with our community, and work with each other to keep our community safe. These values are the foundation of our commitment to deliver excellence in policing services to Surrey's citizens.