What Does A Police Employment Background Check Show

Law enforcement is an essential part of our society. Police officers work hard to preserve peace and safety among their boyfriend citizens. Because they play such a crucial role, only the safest, well-nigh trustworthy individuals should exist able to join the law. To help ensure this, police agencies customize a constabulary groundwork bank check process that's strict and thorough for every new officer they rent. This investigation gathers data from criminal records, employment and education history, the candidate'south friends and family, and other resources to make sure they are a expert fit for this of import job. Nosotros're here to respond questions like, "can you lot be a cop with an assault accuse," and, "what disqualifies you lot from being a constabulary officer?" Hither's a list of the top police background check disqualifiers that agencies look for when hiring new law enforcement officers.

Felony Convictions

A criminal history check is i of the cornerstones of the police force background screening process. This is a fairly straightforward part of the process. If there is a felony conviction in the candidate's criminal record, their awarding may stop there, as felonies are a common police background check disqualifier. A guilty plea to a felony will also greatly reduce the chances of condign a police officer. It's important to call up that some crimes are characterized differently in different jurisdictions. Say a candidate has pled guilty to a misdemeanor in their current jurisdiction, but the jurisdiction in which they're applying categorizes that crime every bit a felony. Their guilty plea counts as a felony conviction in the optics of the police agency that's hiring them.

Serious Misdemeanors

In general, misdemeanors are less severe than felonies, but there are a few serious misdemeanors that volition continue a candidate off the force. The definition of a serious misdemeanor isn't as precise as that of a felony, and it often changes from bureau to agency. Nevertheless, crimes such as driving under the influence, assail, and perjury may disqualify a candidate. If a candidate has a history of violence, theft, or recklessness, they likely don't uphold the values that make a respectable officer.

Unreported By Crimes

Even the about qualified police officers make mistakes, and many crimes go unpunished. If a candidate has committed a crime but never faced arrest or conviction because of it, that information can still come up in a law enforcement background check. Agencies oft accept undetected or unreported crimes every bit seriously as actual convictions. This is another way for a police agency to ensure that they are hiring safe, responsible, and law-abiding citizens to be on their force.

Domestic Violence

While well-nigh violent crimes will go along a candidate from law enforcement, convictions of domestic violence are in a realm of their own. This is a criminal offense that stands in consummate contrast to the values and responsibilities of a law and is ane of the biggest police groundwork cheque disqualifiers. If an officer has a history of domestic violence, the public can't trust them to protect victims of that same crime. If whatsoever incident of domestic violence appears on a candidate's record, the bureau will likely ban them from the forcefulness.

Current or Past Drug Use

Many jobs test for electric current drug use or a history of substance corruption. Drug-costless employees offer a better chance for a safe and dependable workplace, no thing what the job is. This same idea applies to police force enforcement. While some police agencies have recently become more forgiving regarding past pocket-size drug employ, there is still a hard rule against more severe substances like cocaine or hallucinogens. A history of recreational use or drug dependency is another factor that will prevent most individuals from entering the constabulary force.

Dishonorable Discharge from the Armed services

Military service and law enforcement are relatively like career paths, and as such, they follow many of the aforementioned standards. Because of this, many employers and agencies value a candidate's by military service. Still, dishonorable belch from the war machine is 1 of the top law background bank check disqualifiers. A dishonorable belch occurs when an active member of the military commits a serious offense, such as an human action of violence or desertion. This offense carries over into a law enforcement career, and agencies may automatically discard a candidate who has received this sentence.

Poor Credit History

Credit checks are another common step to the background screening process. While a candidate'southward credit history is about important in jobs that deal with finances—such as bankers or accountants—it's nevertheless a proficient indication of an private's responsibility and judgment. If someone has good credit, you know they handle their money in a smart and dependable mode. On the other hand, a poor credit history may indicate poor decisions or a failure to meet financial obligations. While law enforcement doesn't necessarily involve handling finances, these behaviors can exist indicative of larger issues. Since near agencies want only the most dependable employees on their staff, they may concord potential officers with a successful credit history in higher esteem.

Poor Driving Tape

Pocket-size traffic violations are a mutual occurrence among drivers—after all, no ane's perfect. Still, serious or reoccurring driving offenses bear witness recklessness and disregard for the police—two qualities that have no place in a potential law officeholder. Traffic violations that tin can disqualify a potential law officeholder include a license suspension, a DUI or other type of reckless driving conviction, or a tape of multiple moving violations.

Poor Employment History

Employment history plays a function in every job application, no thing what field y'all're in. Employers await at a candidate's employment history to learn more nearly what types of jobs they've had and what kind of employee they've been. Information technology's not uncommon for a candidate to accept a poor recommendation or dead-end job in their history. These are sometimes related to unfortunate events similar personality conflicts or other easily explained mishaps. All the same, a history of poor recommendations or short-lived jobs is a common red flag for employers.

False or Incomplete Application Information

As with any type of job, information technology'south important for potential employees to exist as honest and forthcoming equally possible during the police background check procedure, equally well as on their application. False or incomplete information on an awarding or resume raises a few red flags for employers, who will probable wonder what their candidate is hiding. Honesty and integrity are vital in the criminal justice field, so police force agencies keep an eye out for anyone who doesn't follow these principles throughout the application procedure.

It's of import for constabulary agencies to keep an middle out for these incidents and behaviors throughout the hiring process. By enlisting the help of a professional background screening company, agencies can ensure that every member of their force is committed to upholding both the police and its values. PSI Groundwork Screening helps agencies, companies, and other employers hire the all-time candidates for their teams, thus creating a safer and more successful workforce, no matter what field they're in.

Top Police Background Check Disqualifiers