Candidates applying for the position of Police Officer are subject to a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. The goal of the background investigation is to evaluate the applicant's demonstrated suitability to meet the responsibilities and moral character expected of all police officers. Applicants are expected to provide fully and accurately all information requested during their background investigation. Misrepresentation and omission of material facts is disqualifying from further consideration.
The applicant's background investigator will contact the applicant and set an appointment for the applicant to complete a comprehensive background investigation package, have their photograph taken, obtain the applicant’s fingerprints, and be interviewed. The applicant should expect this appointment to last at least two to four hours. The applicant is normally required to disclose detailed education, employment, credit, criminal, driving, residential histories, personal reference and neighborhood reference information. The applicant will complete a detailed questionnaire that requires detailed explanations to certain responses to yes/no questions, all of which will be subject to corroboration, including polygraph verification (note that not all states utilize the polygraph). Other tests may be given at the discretion of the Personnel Department, Chief of Police or Investigation Commander, such as writing exemplars and other examinations to evaluate skills required of the position.
The applicant's background investigator will corroborate information in the background investigation package via various means and then confer with the background investigation commander. Based on available information, the investigation commander will either authorize further background investigation or suspend the investigation. If suspended, the applicant will be notified in writing and disqualified from further consideration.
The background investigation is just what the name implies-a thorough investigation into the applicant’s background. Although what information is looked into may vary from one department to another, most departments generally investigate the following:
- Criminal History
- Credit History
- Employment History
- Residential History
- Academic History
- Driving History
- Family History
- Neighborhood History
- Military History
