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Background Investigations in Law Enforcement

Background Investigations in Law Enforcement

Instructor(s):
  • Matt Dolan
    Attorney & Director, Dolan Consulting Group, NC
Location:
  • Livestreamed, N/A
Date(s):
  • Jun 14, 2023
Course Length:
  • 1-day
Registration Fee:
    • $250.00 for the first attendee – $125.00 per each additional attendee

At a time when law enforcement agencies are facing increasing pressure to recruit and hire new officers as quickly as possible, it is vital that agency leaders ensure that they are hiring qualified applicants rather than giving into the temptations to simply hire “warm bodies.” Those tasked with conducting background investigations of would-be employees play a crucial, if often overlooked, role in the future of an agency. 

The department is only as good as its people and, therefore, the task of preventing unqualified applicants from falling through the cracks of the hiring process is as important as any aspect of a law enforcement agency’s operations. This investigative task is vital, not only for newcomers to the law enforcement profession, but for those lateral hires who apply from outside agencies.

This training will focus on creating and following agency-specific policies and procedures to ensure that all applicants are investigated in a manner that is ethically and legally defensible.

Course Objectives

  • Recognizing the long-term legal liability and public trust ramifications associated with “bad hires”
  • Identifying best practices for background investigations in light of statutory limitations
  • Going beyond automatic disqualifiers and state certification standards
  • Creating and sticking to consistent policies and procedures for background investigations
  • Effectively communicating investigative findings and ultimate decision-making between background investigators and agency leaders
  • Minimizing failure-to-hire discrimination liability in vetting potential candidates
  • Meeting the challenge of conducting thorough background investigations in the face of current staffing shortages

Testimonials

Hiring and Retiring Healthy

  • “Thank you for doing this training! Every law enforcement & their families should have this training! SO IMPORTANT!”

-Detective, Utah

Verbal De-escalation: Surviving Verbal Conflict

  • “…Lt. Nieters’ ability to teach this class truly gripped me into seeing [that] I need a change. Hope to attend further training.”

-Patrolman, South Carolina

Improving Public Perception of the Police

  • “Harry Dolan was one of the best instructors I have encountered in 28 years of service.”

-Lieutenant, Wisconsin

Courageous Leadership for Today’s Public Safety

  • “Chief Dolan seamlessly fused his knowledge of history, law enforcement and leadership to provide a wealth of information on this topic. Two days flew by, great course!”

-Officer, Pennsylvania

Homicide Investigation

  • “This course was one of the best & most informative courses I have ever taken. Capt. Babcock’s expertise in the course matter is excellent.’

-Deputy, Florida

Making Discipline Stick

  • “I would consider Matt to be a master orator. Kept a serious topic interesting with his unique and fantastic sense of humor.”

-Detective, South Dakota

Verbal De-escalation

  • “One of/if not the best training I’ve attended. Chief’s lectures were relatable, accurate, and captivating. I really enjoyed the entire week.”

-Officer, Virginia

Taking the Lead: Courageous Leadership

  • “Very well done. [I] look forward to sending my police leaders to future Dolan Consulting Group trainings!

- Chief, Pennsylvania

Evidence-Based First-Line Supervision Training

  • “This should be required for ALL leaders (or people in command) across the nation.”

-Sergeant, Texas

Verbal De-escalation: Surviving Verbal Conflict

  • “I’ve sent 2 of my team members to Verbal De-Escalation. I’ve had it & it’s an amazing class. After encounters, I see the 180 degree difference in these young officers! I will petition to send all of them.”

-Attendee, North Carolina

Developing Organizational Performance Leadership