Background Investigators

[Ferus]

I've read a lot about background investigators here on RP and it has led me to the question of who actually conducts the investigation.

I'm sure it varies from department to department, but this also led me to wondering if there are positions where the officer solely does background investigations for police applicants. I'm guessing if this position did exist it would probably be within a large department.

As always, thank you for your time.

[DeltaV]

We have officers assigned to the personnel unit who do nothing but background investigations and recruiting. We also used to have a couple civilian background investigators who were retired officers, however we eliminated those positions last year. Smaller agencies usually do not have full-time background investigators, but rather give officers or detectives the job of conducting a background investigation in addition to their regular duties.

[Piggy]

There is an entire agency and at least three contract agencies solely dedicated to conducting backgrounds for the federal government.

Here's a little reading about it from the White House website:


The primary purpose of the Federal Investigative Services Division (FISD), Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is to carry out high-quality, timely background investigations which will be used by Federal agencies to determine individuals' suitability for Federal civilian, military or Federal contract employment, and to determine individuals' eligibility for access to classified national security information. The security investigations can be broadly grouped in to two categories: Initial clearances, which are when a person is being investigated for the first time for a position that requires a national security clearance; and Other investigations, which include initial investigations for positions that do not require a national security clearance and reinvestigations, which is when a person is being investigated again due to passage of time, a change of positions, change of security clearance, or other factors. Secondarily, FISD has the responsibility for developing and, after Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval, implementing uniform policies and procedures to ensure the effective, efficient and timely completion of security clearance investigations and adjudications by agencies. In carrying out this responsibility, FISD reviews and coordinates the development of tools and techniques for enhancing the conduct of investigations and the granting of clearances. OMB also requested OPM to review agencies that conduct their own background investigations by delegated authority and to provide recommendations about whether to retain or revoke the authority of those agencies to conduct such investigations. There are other activities in which FISD engages based upon statute and/or Executive Order includes: FISD compiles data and provides reports to agencies concerning their success or failure in reporting investigative and adjudicative information to FISD in a timely fashion [Executive Order 10450, Security Requirement for Government Employment]; FISD may take a suitability action against a competitive service applicant or employee in cases involving material, intentional false statement, deception or fraud in examination or appointment, or refusal to furnish testimony as required [Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 731.105, Suitability]; and maintains a database of all investigative actions which it conducts. In the execution of its duties dictated by its purpose above, FISD also conducts additional activities to enhance its performance and further the attainment of increased National Security and the overall goals of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and related statutes and executive orders. For example, it now manages the former e-Gov initiative e-Clearance; provides policy support to Title 5 CFR parts 731, 732 and 736 and the conduct of investigations; delegates its investigative authority when appropriate; works diligently with 3rd party local, state and federal data repositories; and has significantly increased its capacity to conduct background investigations. FISD offers its products and services on a fee-for-service basis utilizing OPM's revolving fund authority.

[chewy82]

I asked my background investigator and she's a PO for the NYPD. NYPD has different agencies from different states say Maryland to conduct the candidates residency investigation. BI compiles information of what you filled out in the package and what they get back from your employers or schools.

[SnapShawt]

Larger agencies usually have a division assigned to background investigations and the like. Smaller agencies usually have in-house investigators do them. Budget determines ability.