ProFirst Training
Law Enforcement Background Investigations, Training & Consulting Services
POLICE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS
Our Police Background Investigation Process
We specialize in providing comprehensive pre-employment background investigations for police departments nationwide. Our dedication to excellence, attention to detail, and commitment to integrity set us apart. We assist human resources and command staff with making informed hiring decisions by providing accurate and up-to-date comprehensive investigations, while also ensuring compliance with FCRA, ADA, and Title VII, as well as each state's peace officer standards and training.
​ProFirst's background investigations are conducted by highly skilled and experienced investigators who use the latest technology and tools to gather relevant information. Their investigative techniques are designed to uncover critical details that may be missed by traditional methods, ensuring that only qualified candidates are selected for law enforcement positions.​
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If your department or agency is hiring a new deputy, officer, chief, command staff, or other public safety employee, consider contracting with ProFirst Training and Consulting to conduct your state-compliant background investigations. We conduct background investigations nationwide, and most backgrounds are completed within three weeks. Contracting your background investigations also affords your department the benefit of reallocating your staff to other important assignments while also reducing potential liability associated with ADA, FCRA, and Title VII claims.​ ProFirst Training and Consulting will provide your department with all the necessary paperwork, forms, and resources to integrate our background investigation services into your hiring procedure. This is a cost-saving and time saving measure for any department.
John Pallas, CEO ProFirst Training and Consulting
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DIMENSIONS
Moral Character
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We examine the applicant's past personal conduct and look at their honesty, impartiality, trustworthiness and if they abide by laws, regulations and procedures. ​
Work Habits
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Investigations look into the applicant's past work performance and examine conscientiousness, work patterns, attendance, adherence to policy and the ability to work in a team environment
Interactions With Others
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We examine how the applicant interacts with others in both their personal and professional life, including if they are tactful, respectful and show sensitivity and tolerance​
MORAL CHARACTER HANDLING STRESS AND ADVERSITY WORK HABITS INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS INTELLECTUALLY-BASED ABILITIES
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Intellectually Based Abilities
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We examine the applicant's decision-making and judgment characteristics, as well as their ability to adhere to policies and procedures. We also reflect on their communication skills, both oral and written, and reflect on their learning ability.
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Handling Stress And Adversity
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Our background investigations reflect on how well the candidate can handle stress, accept responsibility for mistakes, confront and overcome problems, and as well as maintain a positive attitude and even temper.
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Final Report​
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We will provide the hiring authority with a detailed background investigation which will reflect all of these dimensions, so that a well informed hiring decision can be made that will ultimately reduce liability, attrition and strengthen public trust. ​
Why Law Enforcement Agencies Choose ProFirst
• Investigators with extensive law enforcement command and supervisory experience
• Comprehensive investigations averaging three weeks per applicant
• Expertise in state standards, FCRA, ADA, and Title VII compliance
• Detailed narrative reports supporting defensible hiring decisions
Trusted by Agencies Nationwide
ProFirst has conducted background investigations and consulting engagements for departments including the Philadelphia Police Department, Las Vegas Police Department, the State of Colorado, and Dona Ana County, NM — representing over $1 million in government contract work and thousands of completed applicant investigations.
What's Actually Included in a Full-Scope Background Investigation
Not all "background investigations" are the same service. A low-cost records check can run a database query in minutes. A true pre-employment background investigation — the kind that protects your agency from a bad hire, a lawsuit, or a public integrity failure — takes real investigative work. ProFirst's investigators spend approximately 20–25 hours per applicant, including:
Direct Interviews
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Applicant interview and review of PHS (approx. 1.5 hours)
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Interviews with previous employers / co-workers
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Lateral applicants — interview with HR and Professional Standards Unit
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Spouse interview
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Interviews with roommates or others in the home
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Neighbor and/or Landlord interviews at all residences
Employment, Education & Service Verification
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Employment investigation — 10 years or more, if necessary
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Military verification
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Education — review and verification of all education
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Residence — review and verification of all residences
Criminal, Civil & Regulatory Records
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Criminal history — NCIC / FBI / DMV / nationwide courts
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Civil courts — nationwide search
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POST verification
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Child Protective Services check
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Family members and associates investigation
Public & Financial Records
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Public records — nationwide search (property records, marriage/divorce, licenses, business, liens, foreclosures, evictions)
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Insurance claims — risk assessment databases
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Credit and financial investigations
Digital & Community Footprint
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Social media investigations
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Dark web and open source investigation
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Local police / sheriff records requests (CAD/records)
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Utilities search and verification
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House check and neighbor interviews
This is the difference between a low-cost database query versus a comprehensive investigation. When you're making a hiring decision that carries liability, public trust, and officer safety implications, the depth of the process matters as much as the result.
Compliance with POST, FCRA, and ADA Requirements
Our team has a deep understanding of the legal requirements and best practices associated with conducting police department pre-employment background investigations, and we can help you ensure that your hiring process is fully compliant with all relevant laws and regulations. As subject matter experts in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, we can help you navigate the complex legal landscape of pre-employment background checks with ease.
VSA Deception Detection Examination
Unlike polygraphs, VSA measures the applicant's responses and voice patterns as well as involuntary changes in the movements of the vocal muscles, which cannot be controlled by the subject. It allows for a more relaxed atmosphere and remote examinations. Our certified VSA examiner will administer a deception detection examination as part of the pre-employment background investigation workflow. This is a vital step in a public safety background investigation.
Why Agencies Outsource Police Background Investigations
Law enforcement agencies increasingly outsource police background investigations to ensure timely, thorough, and legally defensible hiring decisions while reducing internal workload and liability. Third-party background investigators bring specialized expertise, consistency, and objectivity to the pre-employment process, helping departments meet POST standards and comply with federal requirements such as the FCRA, ADA, and Title VII. Outsourcing allows agencies to accelerate hiring timelines, manage staffing shortages, and avoid conflicts of interest, while maintaining high investigative standards that withstand legal and administrative scrutiny. By leveraging experienced external investigators, departments gain scalable support without sacrificing quality, accountability, or compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a background investigation take?
Most investigations are completed within three weeks.
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What laws do ProFirst's investigations comply with?
All investigations are conducted in compliance with FCRA, ADA, Title VII, and each state's POST standards.
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Why outsource background investigations instead of handling them in-house?
Outsourcing brings specialized expertise, consistency, and objectivity, while freeing internal staff for other assignments and reducing liability exposure tied to FCRA, ADA, and Title VII compliance.
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Does ProFirst provide a portal for applicants?
Yes — our secure applicant portal handles required waivers, the Personal History Statement, and appointment scheduling, and can be custom-branded for your agency.
Background Investigation Portals
One of the key features of our background investigation service is the applicant background portal. Once a police department has identified an applicant to move onto the background phase, the applicant is instructed to visit our background portal. The portal provides applicants with all required waivers and a PHS (Personal History Statement). Once the applicant has filled out all the forms, the portal provides a convenient and secure avenue to submit the paperwork and schedule an appointment with the background investigator. Police departments can also request a custom portal that we can design with their forms, emblems and information.
The portal provides a secure way to transmit information without being subject to freedom of information requests.
