Stephen D Franko

Responsible for responding to damage scenes involving buried utilities owned by USIC customers and conducting thorough investigations including:

• Protecting evidence identified at the scene.
• Interviewing contractors, utility company representatives, and witnesses in order to determine liability.
• Taking photos to document the extent of the damage and memorialize pertinent information from the scene.
• Reporting the facts in an accurate and timely manner to claims coordinators to ensure quick and efficient resolutions.
• Supporting team members to ensure goals are met and success is achieved as a group.
• Protecting the integrity of the investigation so as to foster strong and trusting bonds with customers.

Conducting audits on locators to assure proper protocols are followed and conducting field training as needed.

Responsible for locating, marking, and protecting the clients' underground utility infrastructure to prevent costly damages and ensure the safety of excavators. Also chosen as one of the Operations Trainers for the West Chicago District, teaching new hires the skills needed to become successful locators and overseeing their certification to locate Nicor Gas facilities. Tasked with completing assigned tickets received through the One Call System (JULIE) including:

• Using both conductive and inductive locating to identify buried utility lines including electric, gas, telecommunications, sewer, and water.
• Performing specialized COC (contractor of choice) locates for ComEd, following strict guidelines to ensure the safety of ComEd employees while achieving the goal of zero damages.

Responsible for day to day operations of 75+ employees assigned to the Field Services Section, which includes LEADS, Extradition, Records Expungement, Criminal History, and Records Management.

• Utilizing Microsoft Excel to create work schedules for the employees assigned to each section within the unit.
• Tracking attendance and timekeeping for the purpose of approving payroll.
• Creating and utilizing spreadsheets for future manpower projections.
• Utilizing department databases to create reports as needed.
• Responsible for ensuring timely responses to FOIA requests.
• Creating performance evaluations for sworn officers and civilian employees of the police department.
• Ensuring safekeeping of sensitive documents and files stored at both headquarters and off site facilities.
• Trained in policies and procedures in order to participate in hiring and promoting civilian employees.
• Designated by the department to work with US Homeland Security regarding U Visa applications.
• Tasked with handling billing process of private vendors regarding background checks performed by the department.

Responsible for the day to day operations of the station including:

• Working with upper level command personnel to ensure strategies are implemented district wide.
• Assigning officers to work specific beats during the tour of duty.
• Deploying officers as necessary in response to incidents that occurred within the district.
• Meeting with community leaders and citizens to address issues and answer questions.
• Overseeing station security, including the lobby, processing area, detention facilities, and parking lots.
• Preparing quarterly performance evaluations of police officers.
• Developing performance plans for officers underachieving and working together with them to improve job performance

Assigned to the Bureau of Patrol and responsible for the overall supervision of officers assigned to a designated sector including:

• Maintaining a supervisor's log detailing events that occurred during the tour of duty.
• Responding to calls for service, including in progress crimes, and assisting officers with police procedures.
• Conducting investigations regarding complaints made against officers by citizens and recommending discipline in sustained cases.
• Assuming overall control of crime scenes.
• Conducting missions in response to crime trends within the district.

Assigned to the Detective Division to conduct follow up investigations of crimes that occurred within an assigned area including:

• Conducting follow up investigations of crimes reported to the department by citizens.
• Responding to police districts to assist officers with investigations.
• Conducting interviews with suspects and witnesses in order to investigate and close assigned cases.
• Presenting felony cases to the State's Attorney for approval of charges.
• Working with the Medical Examiner's office to uncover evidence into the cause of death in homicide investigations and ensure collection of possible evidence.
• Testifying under oath in criminal court.
• Processing juvenile arrests in accordance with state law as a certified youth officer.

Assigned to the Bureau of Patrol as a beat officer working within an assigned district of the city and tasked with:

• Responding to calls for service made by the public.
• Interviewing victims and witnesses prior to preparing case reports.
• Arresting and transporting suspects to the station and processing the paperwork in a clear and concise manner.
• Testifying under oath in criminal court for both misdemeanor and felony cases.
• Enforcement of criminal and traffic laws.