BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

The following information will help clarify what information and criteria are contained in a background investigation.

Section 1031 (d) of the California Government Code specifies that a thorough background investigation must be conducted on all peace officer candidates. 

The P.O.S.T. Regulation concerning the background investigation is a minimum standard regarding the manner in which applicants must be evaluated. California law enforcement agencies are encouraged to  make concerted efforts to hire the most qualified available applicants by conducting the most thorough background investigation within their capabilities.

The 15 job dimensions refer to police officer/lateral applicants. They represent the major critical areas of performance in entry level law enforcement, and are a result of a study sponsored by P.O.S.T. A police officer/lateral applicant must meet all of the 15 job dimensions.

The 15 job dimensions are as follows:

1.     COMMUNICATION SKILLS
        Ability to express oneself clearly in writing and speech. Ability to read with good 
        comprehension. Ability to write a  report which accurately describes what has 
        happened.  Ability to speak clearly and to make oneself understood.

2.     PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY
        Knowing how to size up a situation, identify the problem, and make a logical decision. 
        Knowing when to take action and what kind of action is appropriate. Using good 
        judgment in making decisions. Ability to see the similarities and differences between 
        the many situations confronted on a daily basis.

3.     LEARNING ABILITY
        Ability to comprehend and retain a good deal of factual information. Ability to recall 
        factual information pertaining to laws, statutes, codes, etc. Ability to learn and to apply 
        what is learned. Capability of learning the factual material which is required of a law 
        enforcement officer.

4.    JUDGMENT UNDER PRESSURE
       Applying good common sense in dealing with pressure situations. Capability of making 
       sound decisions on the spot. Using good judgment in dealing with a potentially explosive
       situation. Ability to make effective, logical decisions under pressure.

5.    OBSERVATION SKILLS
       Mental alertness, good observational skills, memory for details. Alertness to signals 
       which indicate that something is wrong. Inquisitive, senses when something is wrong. 
       Suspicious and inquisitive, able to sense when things are not satisfactory.

6.    WILLINGNESS TO CONFRONT PROBLEMS
       Ability to be assertive in a potentially explosive situation. Willingness to confront a 
       problem. Won't back away. Willingness to stop people who are behaving in a 
       suspicious  manner and to challenge them. Having the courage to confront a potentially 
       dangerous situation.

7.    INTEREST IN PEOPLE
       Wanting to understand people and to work with  them. Having an active interest in 
       working  with people. Fairness in dealing with the public regardless of ethnic race, 
       economic level, etc. Having a public service orientation. Wanting to help people.

8.    INTERPERSONAL SENSITIVITY
       Resolving problems in a way that shows some sensitivity for the feelings of people. 
       Showing empathy in working with people. Does not enforce the law blindly. Effective 
       in dealing with people without arousing antagonism. Understanding the motives of 
       people and how they react.

9.    DESIRE FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT
       Desire to go out and seek the knowledge which is needed to be a competent law 
       enforcement officer. Seeing oneself as being responsible for learning the job and a 
       willingness to put in the time needed to stay up to date. Having a high degree of interest 
       and self drive in wanting to improve skills and knowledge. Caring about one's 
       competence as a law enforcement officer, and wanting to improve one's skills.

10.  APPEARANCE
       Demeanor as determined by physical appearance, grooming, and personal care. Having
       personal and professional pride in one's demeanor and appearance. Showing pride in 
       appearance. Professional bearing as determined by neatness and overall grooming.

11.  DEPENDABILITY
       Having the habit of submitting reports on time, not malingering on calls, etc. Well 
       motivated. Dependable, follows through on assignments. Taking the extra effort required 
       to be accurate in all details of the work. Willingness to turn in the hours needed to 
       complete a job.

12.  PHYSICAL ABILITY
       Showing the endurance required to do the job. Measuring up to the physical demands of 
       police work. Having good physical coordination, stamina and agility. Being physically 
       able to handle himself/herself when necessary.

13.  INTEGRITY
       Refusing to yield to the temptation of bribes, gratuities, payoffs, etc. Refusing to tolerate 
       unethical or illegal conduct on the part of other law enforcement personnel. Showing 
       strong moral character and integrity in dealing with the public. Being honest in dealing 
       with the  public.

14.  OPERATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
       Ability to possess a valid California Driver's License. Ability to drive safely. Ability to 
       control a motor vehicle at high speeds. Ability to operate a motor vehicle in all types of
       weather conditions.

15.  CREDIBILITY AS A WITNESS IN A COURT OF LAW
       Ability to give testimony in a court of law without being subject to impeachment due to 
       his/her character for honesty or veracity (or their opposites) or due to a prior felony 
       conviction.