|
A thorough background investigation is
required of all public safety dispatchers before being
hired. The goal of the investigation is to verify that
the applicant has no past behaviors indicating
unsuitability to perform public safety dispatching
duties. The background investigation must include a
check of motor vehicle records and a search of local,
state, and federal fingerprint files to determine any
criminal record.
The Commission on Peace Officer
Standards and Training (POST) outlines 15 essential job
dimensions that represent the major and critical areas
of performance for entry-level law enforcement public
safety dispatchers. The background investigation will
specifically seek out information that will help us
determine if a candidate possesses these skills.
All applicants will be required to
complete the POST Personal History Statement as part of
the background investigation packet.
To protect the confidentiality of
sources contacted during the course of a background
investigation, it is the policy of the Department of
Emergency Communications not to discuss the content or
nature of information contained in a background
investigation once it has began. An applicant will
simply be told he or she passed or failed the background
investigation. Applicants will be notified in writing of
the results.
The information below may be useful to
prospective applicants before participating in the
hiring process for the Communications Dispatcher
position:
Immediate
Disqualifiers:
- Felony convictions.
- Lying about any portion of the background.
- Omitting any requested or required information.
- Falsifying information.
The following types of
illegal drug use or possession are considered automatic
disqualifiers in the pre-employment selection process
for all Communication Dispatcher positions:
- Any adult use or possession of a drug classified
as hallucinogens, LSD, Mushrooms, Heroin, intravenous
illegal use.
- Any adult use or possession of marijuana within
the one (1) year prior to application for employment.
- Any other illegal adult use or possession of drugs
not mention above (including cocaine) within the five
(5) years prior to application for employment.
- Any adult manufacture or cultivation of a drug.
- Failure to divulge any information about the
illegal use or possession of drugs to the Department
during the background investigation.
The disqualification of
a Communications Dispatcher candidate for the following
types of illegal drug use or possession will be
considered in relationship to the overall background of
that individual:
- Any illegal juvenile use or possession of a drug.
- Any illegal adult use of a drug that does not meet
the criteria of the automatic disqualifiers above;
e.g., marijuana use longer than 1 year ago or cocaine
use longer than 5 years ago.
Irresponsible credit
history:
- Bad credit is not an automatic disqualifier. If an
applicant had bad credit in the past and has taken
responsible steps to repair it including bankruptcy,
the applicant may be considered for employment. If the
background investigation reveals that the applicant
has handled his or her credit obligations
irresponsibly, the applicant may be disqualified.
If you have any questions
regarding personal matters that you feel may be
disqualifying, we encourage you to call us at (831)
759-6723.
Conversations with us are strictly confidential.
|
