How to Conduct a Background Investigation on a Police Officer
Performing a background check on a police officer is no different from conducting one on an ordinary person. Despite this, police officers do have some protection in terms of keeping their records sealed if they have been charged but not convicted of a crime. Most background check services will conduct their search regardless of an individual's status as a law enforcement officer.
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Instructions
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Choose a background check service. Many Web background check services do not reveal if the police officer in question has sealed records. Visit the Background Check Gateway website for online investigation services (see Resources below).
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Order a driving background check on the officer. A driving record check is less expensive than a full criminal background check. A common online driving background check will be sufficient to determine the driving record of the officer. This is primarily relevant if you are planning to hire a police officer for a job that involves operating a motor vehicle.
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Order a credit report on the officer. Although credit reports don't contain information about the possible criminal behavior of a police officer, they do provide detailed information about her financial behavior that will not be included in a criminal background check. Credit reports will also contain information about whether or not the officer has ever filed for bankruptcy.
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Order an Employment Verification Report. This will provide a list of the places that the police officer has worked previously that can be compared to information provided by the officer.
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Contact past employers for information on the officer's professional conduct. Consider conducting interviews with neighbors as well to confirm the character of the officer in question.
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Conduct a military records background check. Many police officers are veterans, and finding out more about their possible military record could provide significant information.
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Consider requesting educational transcript records from the police officer. University registrars seal their records unless the student provides signed authorization to view them.
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Tips & Warnings
Know that all police officers must undergo extensive background and driving records checks to gain employment in law enforcement. Because of this, most checks are likely to turn up very little in regards to background information. Be aware that in many cases, police disciplinary records are sealed. In some states, such as California, all court records involving police are sealed as a matter of procedure. Getting those records opened may require a subpoena or court order, and even then, it can be difficult to accomplish.
Resources
- Photo Credit roger jones, Flickr
