1st Edition
Pre-Employment Background Investigations for Public Safety Professionals
***Author Radio Interview
Join Dr. Frank A. Colaprete for an upcoming interview on the Privacy Piracy show on KUCI 88.9FM. Click here on September 2nd, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. PST to listen in.
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.
Practical Implications of Pre-employment Investigations
Objectives of the Pre-employment Investigation
Why Do We Do a Background Investigation?
The Most Important Investigation
The Best Predictor of Behavior
Studying Applicant Attrition Rates
Relationship between Recruiting and Selection
Social and Generational Influences of Law Enforcement Organizations
Background Investigations as a Risk Management Tool
Securing the Future of the Organization
Pre-employment Screening Process
Criteria for Selection and Hiring Standards
Steps in the Process
Philosophy, Mission, and Purpose of the Investigation
Screening Tools as a System
Confidentiality in the Process
Alternative Methods to In-House Screening
Team Approach to Pre-employment Screening
Organizational and Process Integrity
There Is No Substitute for Training
Process Charting and Reporting
Value of Policy and Procedure
Accreditation
Specific Technology and Tools
Time Commitment and Management
Developing the Budget
Final Stages of the Investigation
Legal Issues in the Hiring Process
Federal Laws of Hiring
State Laws of Hiring
Negligence Claims in the Hiring Process
Liability in Completing the Background Investigation
Medical and Psychological Standards
Americans with Disabilities Act of
Medical Standards and Evaluations
Drug and Alcohol Use
Psychological Standards and Evaluations
Medical and Psychological Records Security and Retention
Informational Sources and the Final Investigative Package
Don’t Just Report; Investigate!
Successful Written Communication
Supporting Documentation Requirements
Professional Evaluations
Content, Format, and Structure of the Final Investigative Package
Criminal Liability History
Civil Liability History
Driving History
Credit History and Reports
Educational and Training History
Military Service
Employment History
Personal and Professional References
Negligent Referral and Defamation Claims
Residence and the Neighborhood Canvas
Electronic Sources: Prospering in the Information Age
Processes of Dealing with the Candidate
Final Reviews and Recommendations
Postinvestigation Changes to the Final Investigative Package
Releasing Information to Other Employers
Defending the Final Decision
The Past Predicting the Future of Pre-employment Investigations
What Does the Future Hold in Store?
Appendix A: Santa Barbara Application
Appendix B: Alaska Department of Corrections
Appendix C: Seattle Police Officer Qualifications
Appendix D: Sample Policy
Appendix E: Sample Conditional Offers of Employment
Appendix F: Sample Personal History Statement (IPD)
Appendix G: Sample Application Materials (APD)
Appendix H: Sample Information Release and Liability Waivers
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
Biography
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.
"While few books deserve five stars, this excellent work deserves at least that. … Nothing is overlooked or misplaced. No reader could want more from an author or security professional. … As a frequent book critic for this magazine for more than 15 years, I cannot recall reading or reviewing a more useful or professionally written book than this. Without reservations (a first for this reviewer), I recommend this fine book for anyone involved with pre-employment screening in either the public or private sector."
—Eugene F. Ferraro, CPP, PCI, CFE, SPHR, in Security Management