Bill would provide states with greater access to criminal background checks
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced legislation that would allow Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) offices to have access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to improve vetting and hiring of local law enforcement officers.
“Rhode Island police officers do excellent work, including building trust with the communities they serve to protect the public’s safety,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “Our legislation would ensure new recruits are thoroughly vetted so they will be well positioned to maintain that trust.”
“Protecting communities in Kansas and across the nation starts with hiring quality law enforcement officers,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation would help states and local law enforcement agencies have greater access to criminal data to improve the vetting and hiring of potential law enforcement officers, who are tasked with keeping our communities safe and secure.”
“We are grateful to Senator Jerry Moran and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for introducing legislation that would grant access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) offices,” said Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chairman of the Rhode Island POST and Chief of the Cranston Police Department. “This information is crucial for upholding the integrity and professionalism of law enforcement. It will enable us to thoroughly vet candidates, identify any disqualifying histories, and maintain the highest standards for those entrusted with public safety. By enhancing transparency and accountability in the hiring process, we can strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve.”
“The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) commends Senators Moran and Whitehouse for their outstanding leadership on this critical legislation,” said Mike Becar, Executive Director of IADLEST. “Directors of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) agencies play a vital role in preventing individuals with disqualifying criminal histories from securing or maintaining employment or volunteer positions in law enforcement across the United States. This legislation will provide POST agencies with essential access to information needed to conduct thorough and effective vetting of prospective law enforcement officers, ensuring public safety and trust.”
POST offices are responsible for setting the training and hiring standards for state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies. POST offices do not have access to the NCIC, limiting the scope of available information on prospective law enforcement officers.
Text of the legislation can be found here.
