The Benefits of a Background Investigation

Abstract

Background checks are significant parts of the hiring process. It is the responsibility of the hiring team in the police department to make effective and intelligent decisions to ensure best personnel are recruited for the intended position. Failure to perform a comprehensive background check may result in hiring a candidate with inefficient qualities. It could also lead to hiring an employee who could compromise the operations of the entire police unit in the country. Several computers generated reports such as criminal records, employment history, and educational history can be used to boost background checks during the hiring of police officers.

Introduction

Background checks in police department involve a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s qualification for the stated job position based on the criteria set by the employer. A check on a police candidate may include previous employment motor vehicle and license check, criminal records, and education background. The police department, for instance, is one of the critical departments in the country for its concern with vital issues concerning national security (Gunnison & Helfgott, 2011). Therefore, the need to select the best candidates based on merits and behavior based on their history. Failure to conduct an effective check may result in major security flaws.

Importance of background checks

Since the 9/11 catastrophic events in the US, the society has placed more responsibility on the police department. The law enforcers are tasked with the roles of national security and to offer defense against another catastrophic weapon attack (Blumstein & Nakamura, 2009). The advanced use of technology and diversity issues also requires the police to perform assignments that are usually contradictory. Such role-conflict can result in frustrations and confusion if personnel in those positions are not well prepared to deal with the situations. Background checks are hence, significant in determining whether an applicant can deal with compromising conditions when they arise.

A field police officer’s greatest asset is strength and agility, and therefore, an exhaustive evaluation of an applicant history and health records is of great importance in police units. Physician’s report on a candidate’s physical conditions and medical history are essential in ensuring reliable personnel is deployed in the field. Background check on a candidate’s mental acuity records is significant to determine a candidate’s innate ability (Colwill, 2009). Also, since all the police department have been motorized, conducting a background check on the driver’s license and ability to drive responsibly gives the hiring team an overview of the personal conduct of a candidate.

Police duties involve cooperation and teamwork within and between different units in carrying out operations. Background check on a candidate’s history about his/her ability to build and operate in a team is a basis of ensuring zero compromises during field operations that could risk the lives other officers and the public (Colwill, 2009). This check also helps to promote a harmonious work environment by avoiding candidates who could cause violence among the team members.

A comprehensive background check also safeguards the police department from experiencing cases of negligence among the officers. Some police officers have often been sued for harassing the public in the course of duty. Such cases have damaged the reputation of police units in the country (Colwill, 2009). Conducting an overhaul check on an applicant’s record would help to restore the good image of police officers.

Problems of not doing various tasks

The police task force is vital, and thus, a complete evaluation of a candidate before recruitment is part of the strategy for ensuring both employees and the general public security against harm caused police officers or their negligence. Sometime some details may be ignored during the background check of the officers, which could result in various problems. First, false credentials on the resumes cause significant issues in the department. When false credentials on the resumes are not detected during the background check may lead to a serious security breach in the department. Since police officers are entitled to top secrets and the country’s weapons, such candidates can interfere with a whole team’s operation. This could lead to unnecessary injuries in the field or loss of life. Additionally, physical and mental health is essential, as mentioned above. Failure to conduct a background check on police candidates’ health records may also compromise the department’s operations (Backman, 2011). For instance, low eye vision would hinder an officer’s ability to critically identify license, number plates, or have problems in shooting a criminal. Moreover, failure to consider the level of intelligence knowledge may result in the poor recording of security information by the police officers. The International Public Management Association for Human Resources (2009) (IPMA) evaluates the critical ability for police officers’ candidates that must be adhered to (Backman, 2011). These abilities include to observe and remember details, to use judgment and logic, learn and apply police information. Lastly, the possible intrusion of terrorist in the police department. The 9/11 was perpetrated by foreign employees who had been working in vital agencies in the US (Backman, 2011). Their ability to penetrate in these agencies could have been a failure during background check by the hiring team. If such a mistake happens when hiring police officers, the country may be exposed to more terrorist attacks perpetrated by the insiders.

Computer generated reports

In the current era, there have been multiple cases of employees altering information on their resumes to fit in a certain job description. However, human resource managers (HR) in the police department can use computer-generated reports to verify the credibility of candidates in various positions in the department. Some of these reports in the database would be essential during background investigations since the candidates have no jurisdiction to alter the information contained in them. Education background can be obtained to verify the information provided on the resume. This report discloses to the HR include all the institutions, years, and academic qualifications attained by a candidate. Furthermore, discipline is a priority in the police force, and therefore, fingerprints check for criminal records are obtained from the Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI) to help investigate the criminal history of an applicant. This report can disclose various aspects such as previous charges on drug abuse, sex offense, and credit information. Police department values high-level moral character for police officers across the US; hence, report on the moral conduct of an officer can be generated from the previous employers’ database. Moral character encompasses attributes such as trustworthiness, impartiality, and honesty (Seibert, Downes & Christopher, 2012). The report may also reveal the candidate’s aspect of confidentiality, ethical conduct, respect of law, and respect or abuse of office. Also, employment history report generated electronically can help the HR in police department run a background check on a candidate’s credibility to hold a position in security unit (Seibert, Downes & Christopher, 2012). This report reveals the number of firms and positions held by the employee before. Reasons for quitting previous employment are also disclosed in this report. Lastly, due to the advanced rate of crimes and improved offenders tactics, various police positions require innovative personnel with the ability to curb emerging crimes in the country, therefore, the HR in the police department can review report about a candidate’s ability to set and retain goals of merit from their previous employment (Seibert, Downes & Christopher, 2012). This record can give the HR confidence of an applicant power to manipulate his position to improve the police force across the US.

Conclusion

Background investigation during police recruitment is vital. It helps to set the next step in the advancement of police force nationwide. Therefore, running a background check of a candidate during police recruitment helps the HR choose the best candidate with the ability to: make good decisions during the compromising situation, have the agility to solve problems, defined health standards, and high level of intelligence. If some tasks are ignored during the background check may result in the hiring of incompetent personnel, terrorist sympathizers, poor team players, and unhealthy personnel for various positions which would compromise the entire police force. Computer generated reports such as education background, criminal records, employment history, and moral conduct can also help the HR to probe a candidate’s credibility for a position in the police department.

References

Backman, C. (2011). Vocabularies of motive among employers conducting criminal background checks. Acta Sociologica, 54(1), 27-44.

Blumstein, A., & Nakamura, K. (2009). Redemption in the presence of widespread criminal background checks. Criminology, 47(2), 327-359.

Colwill, C. (2009). Human factors in information security: The insider threat–Who can you trust these days?. Information security technical report, 14(4), 186-196.

Gunnison, E., & Helfgott, J. B. (2011). Factors that hinder offender reentry success: A view from community corrections officers. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 55(2), 287-304.

Seibert, S., Downes, P. E., & Christopher, J. (2012). Applicant reactions to online background checks: welcome to a brave new world. In Academy of Management Proceedings. Academy of ManagementBriarcliff Manor, NY 10510.