This is an instructor-led online course.
This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct objective, thorough, and legally sustainable applicant background investigations reflective of the professional standards of your agency.
The training will guide you through the relevant Federal and State Statutes; up-to-date case law and Supreme Court decisions; and administrative regulations surrounding the selection and employment of personnel. We will also detail Federal and State fair employment laws; public records requirements; EEOC employment guidelines; and ADA legislation and the impact of these regulations on the applicant background investigation and applicant selection.
You will learn which private and governmental internet search engines can provide the most useful background information and data; the type of information to expect from a psychological evaluation; proper procedures for drug screening; and techniques for conducting interviews of applicants, references, previous employers, friends and neighbors. We will also address how to properly document the investigative findings in a comprehensive report.
At the conclusion of the course, you will participate in a practical exercise designed to simulate the applicant background investigative process.
Topics Include
- Role of the background investigator
- Identifying job dimensions
- Background policy and procedure
- Legal issues in background investigations
- ADA and hiring
- Psychological screening
- Veteran’s preference
- Drug screening
- Sources of information and data
- Conducting the background investigation
- Proper interviewing techniques
- Factual and objective background reports
Audience
Public safety, law enforcement, corrections, human resources, and communications personnel who are involved in the application for employment process, to include: applicant testing or assessment, the interview of applicants, the applicant background investigation, and/or the selection of applicants for employment.
This course is restricted to sworn and non-sworn law enforcement personnel.
Course Length
40 hours
Online Details
Online environment: This course is interactive, instructor-led, and divided into weekly modules. At the end of each week, the current module will close and a new module will open. This way, the entire class progresses through the materials together, just like classroom training. There are no provisions for you to skip modules or work ahead of the rest of the class.
This is not a self-paced course. Although there are no specific times that you must be online, you will be required to complete assignments each week by the deadlines posted within the course. You should plan to dedicate an average of five to eight hours per week to the course activities. You must be committed to the course and invest the time necessary for successful completion.
The instructors will be available by email and on discussion boards throughout the course. They will be your guides and will assist you with questions and advanced discussions at every step along the way.
Computer requirements: You will complete the course entirely online. A dependable broadband internet connection, a Windows or Mac computer that you have administrative access to, a webcam with microphone, and Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download) is required.
This course is not eligible for certificate discounts.