Criminal History

The applicant's criminal history will usually be examined based on name searches locally, statewide and nationally as well as statewide and nationally by their fingerprints.  Felony convictions are usually an immediate cause for disqualification while Class A and B misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying depending on the type of crime committed, number of arrests or convictions and time span since the last occurrence.  Arrest history, whether convicted or not, is normally evaluated on a case by case basis.  Criminal acts or omissions, whether detected and resulting in an arrest or not, will be evaluated on a case by case basis. However, any purposeful omissions, or falsely provided information, on the part of the applicant are generally cause for disqualification.

One of the most mistaken aspects of a criminal background investigation has to do with expunged records. Many people believe that any information that has been expunged no longer exists or is unavailable for review. This is a false belief that can cause an applicant to lose the opportunity to be considered for police employment. While many public entities do not have access to expunged records, criminal justice agencies certainly do.  As noted in most state statutes, the person who is the subject of a criminal history record that is expunged may lawfully deny or fail to acknowledge the arrests covered by the expunged record, except when the subject of the record is a candidate for employment with a criminal justice agency.

Furthermore, most police background investigation packets clearly ask if an applicant has ever been arrested and/or convicted of a crime whether expunged, sealed or not. This does not refer to only the applicant’s activities as an adult but his/her entire life history. Relying on expunged records, and not disclosing the requested information, will guarantee that the applicant be disqualified when the investigator discovers the omitted information during the investigation.

Many people are also confused as to whether dismissed charges will be revealed during a background investigation. If you were arrested or charged with a crime, and/or the charge was filed in court, the charge will be shown on your criminal history report even if it was dismissed or declined for prosecution. If an event occurred to cause a charge to be filed in court, the charge will be disposed by the court and the charge and its disposition will be shown on a criminal history report.

Most agencies begin the background investigation by having the applicant meet with their background investigator and complete a comprehensive background questionnaire or packet. The background packet is extensive and covers a wide array of topics pertaining to the applicant’s history. Most of the questions are of the Yes or No variety. Once the packet is completed, the investigator will review the information provided and may ask questions to clarify any areas that are unclear or of concern.

In most cases an officer, detective or investigator from the agency you have applied to will be assigned to look at the information provided. He or she will then attempt to verify the information not only to its completeness, but also whether or not it is factual. The investigator will contact friends, relatives, past employers, neighbors, schools and anyone he or she feels is relevant to the investigation. He/she will be armed with your Authorization to Release Information form that allows him/her to contact anyone you have named on the application and even people not named such as neighbors who live down the street. He or she will search through his or her own department criminal records and will contact other agencies such as the state motor vehicle administration, state police, FBI and any agency or court that may have had any contact with you. Again, any information that the applicant failed to provide, and is discovered during the investigation, may be cause for dismissal from any further hiring consideration.