Council approves resolution to allow HR access to state and federal criminal-history checks for hiring

The Brawley City Council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the human resources department to access state and federal summary criminal-history information for employment, volunteer and contract positions, a step staff said is required to obtain an ORI and the DOJ approval needed for a live-scan fingerprint machine.

Celia Viscata, human resources administrator, told the council that the Department of Justice requires a city council resolution with specified language as part of the application to operate a live-scan machine. She said the resolution would authorize HR to access state and federal criminal-history information for hiring purposes, prohibit sharing that information with private entities and state that anyone convicted of a violent or serious crime would not be eligible for employment with the city in employee, volunteer or contract roles. Viscata said the approved copy must be submitted to DOJ by Sept. 18.

Council members asked whether the police department already had a live-scan and how old offenses would be treated. Viscata responded that the police department operates a live-scan but HR needs its own ORI/mail code to perform and track background checks in-house and that commanders or the chief review rap sheets to assess whether a conviction disqualifies a candidate. She added that older offenses are evaluated and that in some cases an offense older than three years (for example certain DUIs) may not preclude hiring.

The resolution was recommended for approval by staff. A motion to approve was made and seconded; the council voiced "aye" and the mayor declared the motion passed.

The council did not specify numerical vote tallies during the meeting; no member announced opposition or abstention when the mayor called for votes.