4/24/2024 2:08:29 PM	AJ 350 Course Outline as of Summer 2019	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  AJ 350	Title:  BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
Full Title:  Background Investigation
Last Reviewed:8/27/2018

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	.50	Lecture Scheduled	0		1 max.	Lecture Scheduled	0
Minimum	.50	Lab Scheduled	32.00		1 min.	Lab Scheduled	32.00
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	32.00			Contact Total	32.00
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  0.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 32.00

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Non-Applicable
Grading:  P/NP Only
Repeatability:  21 - Legally Mandated Repetition
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

This course will orient students to the responsibilities in the public safety pre-employment background investigation process, including how to conduct pre-employment interviews, evaluate suitability for employment and related documentation for a thorough background investigation.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:
Must possess basic POST certificate or equivalent.

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course will orient students to the responsibilities in the public safety pre-employment background investigation process, including how to conduct pre-employment interviews, evaluate suitability for employment and related documentation for a thorough background investigation.

(P/NP Only)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:Must possess basic POST certificate or equivalent.
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:21 - Legally Mandated Repetition

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Describe the background investigation process.

2.  Demonstrate the responsibilities involved in conducting a public safety pre-employment

    background investigation.

3.  Explain the role of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

    (POST) as a resource for conducting a pre-employment background investigation.

4.  Recognize the laws and regulations involved in the background investigation process.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  List the reasons for conducting pre-employment background investigations.

2. Describe the roles and responsibilities of the background investigator, appointing agencies,

    and POST with respect to the selection of peace officer and public safety dispatcher

    applicants.

3.  Compile a background investigation report and evaluate suitability of applicant for

    employment.

4. Categorize the POST background dimensions and required areas of background investigation

    in relationship to the background investigation process.

5. Recognize the legal aspects of pre-employment background investigations.

6. Identify devices for detection of deception and the purpose of the pre-employment

    psychological examination.

Topics and Scope

I. Background Investigation Process

    A. Reasons for conducting pre-employment background investigation

    B. Roles and responsibilities of background investigator, agency, and POST

    C. POST Background Dimensions

    D. Required areas of background investigation

II. Legal Aspects

    A. Federal and state statutes and fair employment regulations

    B. Federal and state disability law and regulations

    C. Criminal and civil liability considerations

    D. Confidentiality and disclosure of information

    E. Medical and psychological screenings

    F. Access to personnel and personal records and information

    G. Disqualifiers and undetected criminal conduct

    H. Restraining and family support orders and domestic situations

    I. Lawful inquiry areas

    J. Devices for detection of deception

III. Identification, Acquisition, and Verification of Pre-Employment Background Information

    A. POST Personal History Statement forms (PHS) or equivalent

    B. Employment, financial, and educational history records

    C. References and neighborhood checks

    D. Military service

    E. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

    F. Law enforcement agencies

IV. Documentation

     A. Narrative reports

    B. Investigative summaries

    C. Supporting documents

    D. Evaluate findings and summarize suitability

    E. Organization

    F. POST compliance inspection

Assignments:

1. Must meet POST attendance regulation

2. Personal history statement worksheets (5-10)

3. Personal history statement analysis

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 30 - 40%
Evaluate personal history analysis
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 60 - 70%
Attendance and participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Instructor prepared materials

Print PDF