Inside Scoop: Police Dept. Background Check 101!

When it comes to jobs that require a high level of trust and responsibility, like those in law enforcement, undergoing a thorough background check is a critical part of the hiring process. A police department background check aims to ensure that potential hires have the integrity, honesty, and reliability to uphold the law and serve the community effectively. In this quick guide, we'll take you through the essentials of police department background checks, illustrating the steps, requirements, and what to expect.

Understanding Police Background Checks

Background checks for police employment are designed to be comprehensive, covering numerous aspects of a candidate's past and present behavior. They are conducted to assess the suitability of an individual for a position where they will wield significant authority and be placed in positions of trust.

Steps of the Background Check Process

1. Application Submission

Applicants start by submitting a job application that includes a detailed history of their employment, education, and personal information. This provides the foundation for the subsequent background check.

2. Preliminary Screening

An initial review is done to ensure that candidates meet the basic requirements for the role, such as age, education, and physical fitness standards.

3. Background Investigation

The intensive part of the process starts with a thorough background investigation. This may include, but is not limited to, the following components:

• Criminal History: Review of any criminal record at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Credit Check: Assessment of credit history to judge financial responsibility.
• Employment Verification: Confirmation of past employment, including reasons for leaving and work performance.
• Education Verification: Confirmation that the applicant has the required education credentials.
• Reference Checks: Interviews with personal and professional references.

4. Polygraph Test

Many departments require applicants to take a polygraph test to verify the truthfulness of the information provided throughout the application and background check process.

5. Psychological Evaluation

This step assesses an applicant's mental fitness and suitability for the stresses and responsibilities of a career in law enforcement.

6. Substance Abuse Screening

A drug test is usually administered to check for illegal substance use.

7. Review and Assessment

The results of all these checks are reviewed. Any red flags or areas of concern are assessed against department guidelines to decide on suitability for employment.

What Candidates Can Expect

Applicants need to know what to expect during the police department background checks. They should be prepared for a process that can be quite invasive and lengthy. Here are some key points:

Transparency and Honesty

Honesty is paramount. Discrepancies or omissions in the information provided can disqualify candidates.

Patience Is Crucial

The background check can take several weeks to several months, depending on various factors like the thoroughness of the investigation and the number of applicants.

Rights to Privacy

Though extensive, background checks are conducted within the bounds of the law, respecting candidates' rights to privacy while ensuring due diligence is done.

Tips for Candidates

1. Be Prepared: Gather all of your documents and be ready to provide details on your history.
2. Stay Organized: Keep a log of places you've lived, worked, and studied to make the process smoother.
3. Be Honest: Always provide accurate and truthful information.
4. Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with background investigators.
5. Self-Check: Consider running a background check on yourself beforehand to ensure there are no surprises.

Conclusion

A police department background check is an intricate process designed to maintain high standards in law enforcement staffing. By understanding what the background check entails and what is expected of them, candidates can approach this hurdle with confidence, knowing that honesty and transparency are their best assets in pursuing a career in policing.