Pre-Employment Background Investigations for Public Safety Professionals

Pre-employment investigations have been the subject of intense review and debate since 9/11 made the vetting of applicants a critical function of every organization. Nowhere has the scrutiny been more intense than in the public safety sector. Pre-Employment Background Investigations for Public Safety Professionals provides readers with the knowledge, investigative techniques, applicable laws, decision-making models, and tools to successfully implement and manage the process of pre-employment investigation.

The book focuses on six key topics:



Practical implications of pre-employment investigation
The pre-employment screening process
Legal issues in the hiring process
Medical and psychological standards of pre-employment screening
Informational sources and the final investigative package
The past predicting the future of pre-employment investigations


Each chapter begins with learning objectives and key terms and concepts. Discussion questions and exercises appear at the end of each chapter to test readers’ assimilation of the material. A comprehensive review of all the issues faced in the investigation and hiring process, this volume assists all stakeholders in the hiring arena by highlighting the critical steps involved in vetting a prospective employee. While no screening process can be completely failsafe, this volume enables decision makers to move confidently through the hiring process, quickly weeding out the most likely problematic hires so that the ideal employee can be selected.

Dr. Frank A. Colaprete, AAS, BS, MS, EdD, CLS, is an associate professor of criminal justice administration at Keuka College, Keuka Park, New York. He is also an adjunct faculty member of Norwich University, Nova Southeastern University, New England College, and the Justice and Training Research Institute at Roger Williams University. Dr. Colaprete has served for 20 years in law enforcement in such roles as patrol officer, evidence technician, sergeant, detective sergeant, and lieutenant. He currently teaches, consults, and conducts independent criminal justice research in myriad topics as the owner and lead consultant of Justice Systems Solutions, LLC. Dr. Colaprete’s work has garnered him the finalist award from the IACP/Motorola Corporation Webber Seavey Award process. In 2009, the administration of the Norwich University School of Graduate Studies conferred upon him the Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award. He holds the title of certified litigation specialist (CLS) through the Americans for Effective Law Enforcement (AELE) and is a master instructor and instructor evaluator certified by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Office of Public Safety.

Practical Implications of Pre-employment InvestigationsObjectives of the Pre-employment InvestigationWhy Do We Do a Background Investigation?The Most Important InvestigationThe Best Predictor of BehaviorStudying Applicant Attrition RatesRelationship between Recruiting and SelectionSocial and Generational Influences of Law Enforcement OrganizationsBackground Investigations as a Risk Management ToolSecuring the Future of the OrganizationPre-employment Screening ProcessCriteria for Selection and Hiring StandardsSteps in the ProcessPhilosophy, Mission, and Purpose of the InvestigationScreening Tools as a SystemConfidentiality in the ProcessAlternative Methods to In-House ScreeningTeam Approach to Pre-employment ScreeningOrganizational and Process IntegrityThere Is No Substitute for TrainingProcess Charting and ReportingValue of Policy and ProcedureAccreditationSpecific Technology and ToolsTime Commitment and ManagementDeveloping the BudgetFinal Stages of the InvestigationLegal Issues in the Hiring ProcessFederal Laws of HiringState Laws of HiringNegligence Claims in the Hiring ProcessLiability in Completing the Background InvestigationMedical and Psychological StandardsAmericans with Disabilities Act of Medical Standards and EvaluationsDrug and Alcohol UsePsychological Standards and EvaluationsMedical and Psychological Records Security and RetentionInformational Sources and the Final Investigative PackageDon’t Just Report; Investigate!Successful Written CommunicationSupporting Documentation RequirementsProfessional EvaluationsContent, Format, and Structure of the Final Investigative PackageCriminal Liability HistoryCivil Liability HistoryDriving HistoryCredit History and ReportsEducational and Training HistoryMilitary Service Employment HistoryPersonal and Professional ReferencesNegligent Referral and Defamation ClaimsResidence and the Neighborhood CanvasElectronic Sources: Prospering in the Information AgeProcesses of Dealing with the CandidateFinal Reviews and RecommendationsPostinvestigation Changes to the Final Investigative PackageReleasing Information to Other EmployersDefending the Final DecisionThe Past Predicting the Future of Pre-employment Investigations What Does the Future Hold in Store? Appendix A: Santa Barbara ApplicationAppendix B: Alaska Department of CorrectionsAppendix C: Seattle Police Officer QualificationsAppendix D: Sample PolicyAppendix E: Sample Conditional Offers of EmploymentAppendix F: Sample Personal History Statement (IPD)Appendix G: Sample Application Materials (APD)Appendix H: Sample Information Release and Liability WaiversEndnotesBibliographyIndex