A Police Check as a Background Check, is it real?

In today’s world, where security and trust are paramount, background checks have become a common practice for employers, organizations, and even individuals seeking to confirm the credibility of a person. Among various methods used for background verification, police checks are often considered a reliable source. But are they the ultimate testament to an individual's security and trustworthiness? In this article, we explore the factual efficacy of police checks as a form of background check.

Understanding Police Checks

A police check is a document that lists an individual’s disclosable court outcomes and pending charges that are sourced from the police databases of various jurisdictions. It is also known as a criminal history check, criminal record check, police clearance, or background check.

What Does a Police Check Reveal?

Criminal Convictions: Details of criminal convictions can include the nature and circumstances of the offense, the date of the conviction, and the sentence or penalty imposed.
Pending Charges: Police checks can reveal any charges that an individual currently faces but for which they have not yet been tried in court.
Court Appearances: This may include details of any court appearances, including findings of guilt where no conviction is recorded.
Good Behavior Bonds and Other Court Orders: Details of any ongoing legal matters, such as good behavior bonds or court-imposed orders.

Reliability of Police Checks

Pros:

Standardized Process: Police checks follow a clear and standardized process, ensuring consistent information is provided.
Legal Authority: Typically, the information in a police check has been vetted and complied with by legal authorities, providing a level of authenticity to the data.
Coverage: They cover a broad spectrum of the justice system, pulling information from various police databases across different territories and states.

Cons:

Scope Limitations: Police checks do not cover information such as credit scores, employment history, educational qualifications, or character references — all of which can be critical to comprehensive background verification.
Currency of Information: They offer a snapshot of an individual’s legal background up to the point of the check; however, they do not account for any offenses or issues that may occur after the check is done.
False Sense of Security: A clear police check does not necessarily mean an individual has never been involved in criminal activities, as it only records interactions with the criminal justice system that meet certain disclosure criteria.
Potential for Discrimination: There's a risk that relying solely on police checks might lead to discrimination against individuals with minor offenses or old convictions that have no relevance to the job or purpose for which the check is being conducted.

When Are Police Checks Considered Adequate?

Police checks may be considered sufficient when:

The position involves a high degree of trust such as in schools, healthcare, and financial institutions.
There is a legal requirement for the check to be conducted, often seen in regulated industries.
The primary concern is to ensure the individual does not have a history of criminal behavior that would pose a risk to the company, its employees, or customers.

Additional Considerations

It is important to complement police checks with other forms of background checks to obtain a holistic view of an individual's background. For instance:

Reference Checks: To assess character and work ethic.
Credit Checks: Important for positions involving financial responsibilities.
Educational Verification: To confirm academic qualifications for specific roles.

Conclusion

While police checks play a critical role in the background verification process, they should not be the sole measure of a person's security and trustworthiness. They provide a factual basis for understanding one's legal background but need to be used in conjunction with other checks to form a comprehensive picture. It is factual to state that police checks are a significant component in the background check process, yet it is essential to acknowledge their limitations and ensure that they are used appropriately and fairly.