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Getting details about a person’s past is not always easy, especially given that they are not found in a single record. Background checks, in particular, commonly cover criminal records, but should they cover police records too? Here you will discover important information which will help you make the right decision.
Scope and Limitations of Police Records
These records cover events including accidents, incidents and offenses in the jurisdiction of the respective police department. When it comes to the territory of the jurisdiction, this is typically the respective town or city where the department is. This is the major limitation that you must be aware of. If a person has been arrested and/or charged with a crime outside of the department’s jurisdiction, you will not find this information in the police records. In this respect, criminal records have a broader scope. The ones compiled by courts usually contain details about all arrests, charges and convictions of the respective person in the respective state.
Even though the scope of police records is smaller compared to those of their counterparts, this doesn’t mean that they cannot or should not be included in a background check. They can give you details about accidents and incidents which a person has been involved with and which may have not been included in criminal records. If you are an employer, for example, you may be interested in finding out of the person who you are hiring has been involved in car accidents and/or disputes with the neighbors.
How to Include Police Records in the Check
Practically all police departments can perform background checks by searching through their records. This job is usually done by the specialized records unit so you can expect the staff to be highly competent. In order for you to request the check, you must have the permission of the person in writing. This will be required by the police department.
There are two main ways in which you can submit the request for the check. You can do it in person or send a letter to the police department in your town or city. It is also possible to hire a specialized service for the job. In this case, you will need to pass the permission onto them. You should keep in mind that the waiting period for the information can sometimes be up to ten business days.
In conclusion, even though police records may not be essential for a background check, they are nevertheless extremely useful.