The background unit notifies the candidate when they need to move on to the polygraphic, medical and psychological testing phase. Successful applicants will be contacted by the Background Unit and will receive a conditional job offer and invitation to an academy course. So, what are the main areas covered by the police background investigation: even the most qualified police officers make mistakes and many crimes go unpunished. If a candidate has committed a crime but has never been arrested or convicted because of it, this information can still appear in a police background check. Agencies often take undetected or unreported crimes as seriously as actual convictions. This is another way for a police service to ensure that it hires safe, responsible and law-abiding citizens to be in its strength. As part of the background exam, you will be subjected to a deception exam, such as a polygraph or vocal stress analysis. Although it is not a POST request, detecting deception investigations is not uncommon. The main objective of these investigations is to verify the accuracy of the information provided directly by the PHS applicants and the substantive investigator. Many jobs test current drug use or a history of substance abuse. Drug-free employees offer a better chance of finding a safe and reliable job, regardless of their job. The same idea applies to law enforcement.
Although some police services have recently become more lenient towards minor drug use in the past, there is still a strict rule against heavier substances such as cocaine or hallucinogens. A history of recreational use or substance abuse is another factor that will prevent most people from joining the police. Often, job seekers would ask me the same questions over and over again, and it became clear to me that no one had really taken the time to explain the background investigation process to people who applied for positions in law enforcement and correctional facilities. While each department may conduct the background investigation slightly differently, there are many similarities that apply to all criminal justice agencies. In conclusion, it is important to note that police background checks are a valid and important factor in the process of hiring a law enforcement officer. Don`t underestimate it and be as honest as possible with the person conducting the investigation. You won`t earn points by hiding things from your past or lying in your app, on the contrary – there`s a chance the note will turn in your favor if you openly and directly address minor mistakes you`ve made in the past. If you are applying for a job at one of the federal law enforcement agencies, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, comprehensive pre-employment screening, which includes fingerprint collection and verification, and the National Security Position Questionnaire, the polygraph examination and background investigation, can take 12 months, and more. This is due to the fact that for most positions, the candidate needs a security clearance to gain access to classified information. Investigating the peace officer`s background is a very long and laborious process that involves collecting a variety of official documents, contacting relatives, friends, employers and many others, as well as examining almost every aspect of your personal history. The specific requirements of the UDs for conducting the background investigation are set out in the Commission Regulations 1953 (PDF).
Although this reference is intended for use in the agency, applicants may find it useful in understanding the basic process. Based on the above information, you can conclude that police background checks are quite thorough and take time to complete. Investigators will not hesitate to go to your place of birth or the city where you went to school to create a complete profile. Interviewing large family members and even random neighbors is also part of the survey. At some point during the background process, you may be asked to provide proof of age, education, and citizenship status. Since it will take some time to obtain official documents (i.e., certified copies of birth certificates, official sealed copies of high school and/or college transcripts, citizenship verification), you may want to consider collecting the information in advance based on your investigator`s instructions. You should also consider printing the POST Personal History Statement (PHS) – Peace Officer (PDF) form, completing it, and keeping the information as a «working copy» in a folder for future reference.