NCJ Number
205319
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 58,60,62,63
Date Published
March 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the importance of background checks in the hiring process of police officers and reports on the results of a survey regarding the importance placed on background checks by police and sheriff’s departments.
Abstract
Policing today’s society has become increasingly complex, especially following the events of September 11, 2001. Law enforcement officers are now expected to police densely populated areas in an increasingly culturally diverse society. The dynamic role of police officers underscores the importance of choosing the right applicants for the job. Studies by the Rand Institute, the Knapp Commission, and others have attempted to pinpoint the tests that point to the best police candidates. Rand found that background checks were a good indicator of officer performance. Although many other types of tests are now utilized as well, background checks are one measure that can be expanded to deal with society’s increasing security demands. The current survey assessed the importance placed on background investigations by 447 background investigators from police and sheriff’s departments across the United States. Of the respondents, 93 percent ranked background investigations as very important and 89 percent reported they usually or always spend ample time on background investigations. Time restraints, lack of department resources, and legal issues were listed among the challenges of conducting adequate background investigations. When asked about the most common behavior for which applicants would be disqualified, 97 percent of investigators identified current drug use. Recommendations are offered for improving the background investigation process, including the incorporation of additional training and a dual interview process.