Criminal History Specialist

Job ID: 30232
Location: 441 4th Street, NW
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Date Closed: 08/24/2025
Minimum Rate: $62,158.00
Maximum Rate: $80,032.00  

General Job Information
This position is located in the Technical and Analytical Services Bureau, within the Records Division.  It is the mission of the Metropolitan Police Department to safeguard the District of Columbia and protect its residents and visitors by providing the highest quality of police service with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to innovation that integrates people, technology and progressive business systems. 

This Criminal History Specialist position is covered under the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) bargaining unit and you may be required to pay an agency fee through direct payroll deductions.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Rolls fingerprints into Livescan and transmits information to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS); searches and compares prints to establish the identity of individuals; determines if false information has been given and creates and maintains criminal history fingerprint information.
• Takes fingerprint impressions, utilizing ink and Livescan for criminal and non-criminal matters; obtains suspect prints for fingerprint comparison and identification; analyzes and makes accurate decisions on fingerprint patterns for identification and classification using AFIS.
• Communicates with sworn personnel, officers of the court, general public, management, staff from other law enforcement agencies, AFIS-related vendors, professional peers, and other City employees. Provides investigative information pertaining to fingerprints, disseminate fingerprint files, testifies in court, and operates AFIS.
• Responds to agitated/angry customers who may refute arrests, charges, and case dispositions.  Exhausts internal departmental means to resolve issues. Answers questions regarding the laws, procedures, and processes that govern local and national criminal background checks.
• Receives requests/referrals for information on ten-print; searches files and run records checks to assist officers in identifying suspects at the time of booking to determine the correct identity of prisoners with prior arrests and/or outstanding warrants. Responds to inquiries from police personnel/agencies on matters of general fingerprint files.
• Receives complex requests for Criminal History Reports (PD-70) from the public, businesses, federal, state, county, and District government law enforcement agencies, via telephone, teletype, email, correspondence and in person at the Service Counter.  Reviews PD-70 requests for completeness and accuracy of information.
• Obtains requestors identification to verify proof-of-identity. Matches fingerprint impression against information on the PD-70 and reviews documents to determine if release forms were executed correctly.  Reviews the purpose of criminal background requests, e.g., general employment or employment with children, FBI fingerprints, visas, etc.
• Accesses various criminal information systems such as Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), Washington Area Law Enforcement System (WALES), Court Information System (CIS), Pretrial, and Bail Reform Agency System (BARS), DC Corrections- JACCS and other similar systems.
• Interprets legal and police terms, such as disposition results on the rap sheet, sentencing, parole, probation, etc. Examines the spelling of the person’s name and validates demographic information (birth date, social security number, etc.). Follows-up on applicable convictions/forfeitures until final dispositions are located.
• Responds to written requests for criminal background checks from local businesses. Provides customer service to all applicants, employees, and volunteers that report to the criminal records office. Develops and prepares daily, monthly, and annual fingerprinting reports. Prepares daily reports for DCOP processing, and maintains file system of criminal records.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience in rolling tenprints, palm prints, and major case prints in both ink and Livescan.
• Knowledge of criminal information systems, such as the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and the Washington Area Law Enforcement System (WALES).
• Knowledge of the Henry Classification System of Fingerprinting. Sufficient understanding of police terminology and legal terms, e.g., UUV, DWI, Rap Sheet, forfeiture of collateral, disposition, etc.
• Knowledge of all District Government agencies to forward completed background reports.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a variety of office equipment such as a PC, copy machine, laminator, fax machine, Lektrievers. 
• Ability to perform basic math computation and is attentive to details, e.g., ensuring that names, accurate tallies, and numbers are correct.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, police personnel, other forensic laboratories or law enforcement agencies, city personnel, and the public.
• Maintains proficiency in the use of all aspects of AFIS for such purposes as quality control, consolidation of records, image quality upgrade, and updating alphanumeric data.
• Licensures, Certifications and other requirements
• The incumbent is required to possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s permit.

Education
High School Diploma or its equivalent is required. An Associate’s Degree or equivalent preferred.

Work Experience
Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the (CS-07) grade level, or its non-District equivalent, gained from the public or private sector. Specialized experience includes utilizing rolling tenprints, palm prints, and major case prints in both ink and Livescan, understanding Criminal Justice Information Systems and the Henry Classification System, operating various office equipment, and performing basic math computations.